Page 108 of Taking Denver

She pulls back the hammer. “Get on your fucking knees. I won’t ask you again.”

I square my shoulders, but I know she won’t hurt me.

“Fine.” I get to my knees. She walks closer, but I don’t look down the barrel of the gun. I look at her.

“You’re not going to kill me, Denver.”

“No,” she whispers. “I’m not.”

She points the gun under her chin. My heart stops, and a cry escapes my lips as I reach out my hands. “No!”

She squeezes the trigger.

I look away, eyes wide, my heart hammering in my chest. A thousand fears tear through me, pulling me apart, images of her blood spattered across the floor, eyes lifeless, heart stopped, my Denver, my love, myworldgone. Tears sting my eyes for the first time in too many years. I choke on the fear, hoping it suffocates me because I can’t live without her. I am nothing without her.

I wait for the sound, the crack of the weapon, the blood spitting across marble floors.

But it’s quiet.

“You say I made my dad weak.” Her voice climbs into my soul. “But look at you. You can’t even watch me die.”

I look at her, frozen in place, the gun still under her chin. Denver drops her shoulders, throws the empty gun on the floor, and it skids away.

“You leave Axel alone,” she says. “Or next time, it will be loaded.”

I stay on my knees, breathing heavily, and she walks around me. A sheen of sweat spreads across my neck, and I sit back on my feet, trying to pull air into my lungs.

“Where are you going?” I ask.

“To get ready,” she says. “Or did you forget we’re getting married today?”

Chapter 37

Denver

The room erupts into cheers and camera flashes, and I thread my fingers through Ranger’s as he kisses me. I laugh, flushing like the pretty, contented bride I’m supposed to be before taking my seat. Finally. I’m starving.

The last time I ate was before visiting Pulse. All day, I’ve tried to find some scrap of food to grab, but between getting ready, getting married, and being pulled from one person to the next, I haven’t stopped. Now I’m feeling crabby and snatch a piece of bread before anyone can stop me.

It doesn’t feel like I’m married. It feels like I’ve always been a Luxe, and in my heart, I’ve always known Ranger would be by my side forever. Whether I want him there or not, he will always be close, always loving and ready to die for me. Now, it’s just official.

“I hope you’re not expecting a speech,” Ranger says.

I lean back in my chair. “I expect a lot of things from you, Ranger. A declaration of love in a room full of people is not one of them.”

“And what is it that you do expect?”

I smile. “Obedience.”

“Not a chance,” he whispers.

“Who was on their knees a few hours ago?” I say. “I don’t think it was me.”

“Tonight will be a different story.”

Someone taps their fork against a glass.

“Don’t worry, everyone, the food is almost ready,” the announcer says. “We just have one speech, which the bride wants to make.”

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