Page 107 of Taking Denver

I bite out a laugh. “Why the sudden interest in my kill list, Denver? Did Hayes bring all this shit up?”

“Answer the question.”

“No, I didn’t kill Nico. I can’t take credit for a freak car accident,” I say. “I wish I could.”

She searches my face. “But the will? My dad never wanted me here, did he?”

“Jesus.” I sigh, running a hand down my face. “No, he didn’t.”

She looks like she’s in pain. “You used me.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because your dad thought he could play happy families and leave this life,” I say, my anger bubbling to the surface at the memory of Nico walking away. “This life is blood. It’s buried in your fucking bones—you don’tleave.”I punch my chest.“Your father betrayed me and everything I did for him by choosing you and your mother. So, I took you.”

Devastation flashes across her face, pain in the deep gray of her eyes.

“Do you even love me?”

“I told you, Denver, I’ve loved you since I laid eyes on you,” I say. “I didn’t want to. I wanted to use you. I wanted to make your father turn in his fucking grave at the thought of you being here with me. I didn’t know I’d fall in love with you.”

It’s the truth. I’d fully intended on ruining Denver DeLuca’s life, but instead, I fell in love. Desperately and foolishly, I fell for her.

She stands, arm straight, gun tight in her grip.

Even now, I want her.

Especially now.

She’s beautiful. I almost hope she kills me because nothing will ever top this moment. This is my heaven.

“I don’t want this,” she whispers. “I want to be happy, Ranger.”

“Happy? Fuck happy.” I almost spit out the words, my anger overcoming my senses. “Happiness is fragments of life, and if you get some, great, but it doesn’t keep you alive. It doesn’t put food in your stomach or a roof over your head.” I point at my chest. “I do that. You won’t choose happiness over me because we’re fire. We burn, we blister, we bleed, but we stay burning.That’swhat you want.”

My heart pounds because I’m prepared to die tonight, but I’m not prepared to lose her.

“Axel is gone,” she says.

I eye her. “What do you mean he’s gone?”

“I sent him away,” she says. “I don’t want him in this life. I won’t have him turn into you.”

I move closer. “Where is my son, Denver?”

“I’ll never tell you.”

A feral rage pours through my blood. “You think I can’t make you?”

“You leave him alone, and I’ll stay,” she says. “You lose him, but you get me. I’ll marry you. I’ll never leave you.”

“This isn’t a negotiation, Denver. I will have both of you here,” I hiss.

“Get on your knees, Ranger,” she says.

“Tell me where my son is!” My voice booms through the house, echoing off the walls, but she doesn’t flinch.

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