Page 64 of Ricochet

Defeated tears blurred her vision, and shewiped them away, knowing sobs would make this worse. “I never wanted to disappoint you.”

“You did.”

“I know.” Adelia choked. “I’m sorry.”

She wanted to thank him for the life he’d given to her, the years of freedom she’d had, and the years more she’d given to others.

Vivid reminders of Colin surfaced, and she wanted to thank Tex for a life long enough to meet a man who could make her feellike her life might have more than a singular purpose.

She drew in a deep breath, trying to calm her mind and find meaning in the moments she had left.

“Sorry’s not going to do shit for you when they’re all coming for you.” He rubbed his exhausted, glassy eyes. “I should kill you.”

“I know.” Her legs trembled as fear and respect held her in place. “I just wanted others to have the chance yougave me.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

“It doesn’t matter.” She squeezed her eyes shut. Every muscled ached with tight she tensed. Time ticked too slowly, too painfully. Execution was terrifying, cruel. And she didn’t want to die.

“Get the fuck out of here.”

Her chin jolted up. Her eyes flew open. “Wh-What?”

Tex spat on the ground, stomping an old cigarette butt as he ignored her,grinding the tobacco into the ground next to Ethan. “Get gone, Adelia. Disappear.”

“Pops…”

“Ethan emailed me and Hawke, couple others, before he came in here to see me. Mayhem’s coming for you, and I can’t stop ’em.”

A desperate need to hug and cry overwhelmed her. She couldn’t breathe—couldn’t see past the loneliness. But he’d let her live. He’d betrayed the MC. It was the ultimate act oflove, one that maybe she didn’t deserve and that no one might understand. Aching for what she couldn’t have, her father, her future, the girls they were saving, the friends she’d made a life with, Adelia breathed in the strength that Tex taught her she had from the first day he’d found her and forced herself to run out the compound for the last time.

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