Page 110 of Claimed By the Deputies

Mitch stands nearby, smoke tendrils rising from his rifle as he looks at me and nods.

“Come on, Sheriff,” he says. “We still have work to do.”

“Thank you,” I tell him.

“Don’t mention it.”

Together, we take out the rest of Trevor’s crew while the Silver Stallions watch from a safe distance. Some of them start their engines, gradually fleeing the scene while the rumbles of an incoming SWAT van echo through the night.

Upon reaching the front porch, I hear a scream. It’s gut-wrenching and makes my heart jump, my fury rising like boiling water into the back of my throat. I turn my head to look at Mitch and Tyler.

“Go,” Mitch yells. “We’ve got this covered.”

33

TASSIA

I’m screaming and fighting for my life as Trevor drags me through the dark hallway leading to the back of the lodge. “No point resisting,” he hisses, his grip tightening on the back of my neck.

“Just let me go!” I cry out. His fingers feel like screwdrivers about to pierce my skin.

“The game isn’t over, Tassia. I’m still on the board,” Trevor snarls and yanks me through the back door.

We stumble out into the cool night, the fresh mountain air filling my throat and lungs. I just want my baby to see this world, this beautiful sky with stars and a rising full moon.

I just want to live.

“Trevor, please, I beg you. Your problem is with me, not my baby. Don’t hurt me.”

“Shut the fuck up!” he shouts. “I couldn’t care less about your kid. It ain’t mine!”

Thank heavens for that.

The further we get from the lodge, the more desperate I become. I look around frantically, searching for something, anything that might help me get away from him.

“Where are we going? They’re storming the lodge, Trevor, they’re coming for you!” I try again. “It’s over!”

“I have a Jeep just past the fence over there,” he says.

“So, what, you’re going to drive off into the night?”

“I just need a minute to finish this with you. Our marriage meant something. It deserves a reverent ending.”

“Reverent? Like you shooting me in the head while unarmed and pregnant?”

“You brought this on yourself!” he shouts, dragging me across the bushy backyard.

As soon as he pushes through the wooden gate, Trevor comes to a sudden halt. His grip loosens, and I look up.

Dexter Wright stands next to Trevor’s Jeep. Only the moonlight and the distant glow from the lodge’s torches reveal him. Everything else is clad in darkness, but I can see the stern look on his face.

“Took you long enough,” Trevor tells him, but his voice is filled with doubt.

“Had to make some arrangements first,” Dexter replies.

“Good. Give me a moment, I just need to?—”

“I’m afraid you’re not included in those arrangements,” Dexter cuts him off and raises his pistol.

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