Page 55 of Risky Passion

His smirk faltered.

“You paid me to wait here for you, and I did,” he said. “Now you want me to move a body? That’s going to cost you more.”

I stepped forward, closing the space between us until I could see the sweat beading along his temple.

“You think this is about money?” My voice dropped, cold and razor-edged. “You think I’d hesitate to make you disappear, just like I did Grant?”

His lips parted, but no sound came out. He blinked once. Twice. “Grant Hughes? The accountant? How the hell did you get to him? He was under guard. In the hospital.”

“I can get to anyone, anytime, any way I want.” I leaned in, my voice barely above a whisper. “You. Your wife, kids, that grandson of yours . . . everyone you’ve ever cared about. Keep up this bullshit, and you’ll see just how far I can go.”

His bravado crumbled. He swallowed hard, his hands twitching at his sides.

“Okay. Calm down.” His voice was barely steady now. “Fine. Let’s just . . . let’s get it over with.”

I moved to Alice’s head, brushing dirt from the edges of the tarp with trembling fingers. She deserved better than this, better than a coward like him being anywhere near her.

“Grab her feet,” I said, my voice cold and clipped. I didn’t bother looking at him.

He hesitated, and the silence dragged on long enough for me to seriously consider putting a bullet in his skull and tossing him into the grave instead. Then he shuffled into position, his shoes crunching against theloose soil.

Together, we lifted her carefully. My hands were steady, even as a storm raged inside me. The tarp rustled with every step we took, and her weight was heavier than I remembered—impossibly heavy, considering how waif-thin she’d been at the end.

Every movement felt like a betrayal. Like I was desecrating her wishes, dragging her farther from the peace she’d so desperately wanted. All she’d ever wanted was to be free, like that angel. But I couldn’t leave her here anymore. I had to find another place to give her the peace she deserved.

I glanced at the angel fountain one last time, its weathered wings stretched skyward as if pleading for mercy. The memory of Alice’s final words pressed down on me.

I can’t do this anymore, Triss. Please help me . . . I want to be free.

I made her a promise . . . to set her free . . . and I would absolutely keep it.

No matter who I had to kill, starting with Cooper. And then those fucking Foster brothers.

CHAPTER 16

Jaxson

I didn’t wantto move from our hiding spot. Not yet. The armed men had vanished past my blazing car, and their voices and footsteps were swallowed by the distance. But silence could lie. Silence could wait for you to let your guard down.

I didn’t trust them not to come back.

Onyx stayed perfectly still beside me, her ears pinned back, her breathing low and controlled. I ran my hand along her back, slow and steady, a silent reassurance for her, and for me. She didn’t flinch, didn’t move. Always solid when I needed her to be.

Tory was pressed against the log, her breathing still shaky. Her shoulders trembled slightly, but she wasn’t falling apart. Not yet. Poor woman had been through a hell that no one should have to endure, and yet, she was still holding herself together.

I felt a twinge of something I didn’t expect . . . respect. Admiration. Most people would’ve broken by now.

I counted the seconds in my head, forcing my breathing to stay even. Thirty. Sixty. Ninety. Still nothing. The night stretched around us, heavy and suffocating. The low drone of a motor drifted to us.

Their boat!

They were leaving.

I let out a slow breath, and the tension in my chest eased slightly.

“Okay,” I said, brushing my hand over Onyx’s head. “Sounds like they’ve gone. Let’s move.”

Tory scrambled to her feet, and I pressed my hand against her back to steady her. She seemed to relax under my touch.

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