Page 171 of Wildest Forever

“Because he is a spineless cunt,” Tripp answers her and Riggs nods in agreement.

“Exactly what he said,” Riggs nods, pointing at our brother.

My lips twitch into a smile and it feels almost wrong to be smiling in a situation like this.

I comfort my ma until she is ready to push away from me. She paces the small room and me and my brothers exchange looks.

“So then boys...” her steps falter as she halts, “what's the plan and how can I help?”

We go through the plan another three times, letting mum interject where she thinks we may need to be more cautious or where she thinks it may not work.

“Where do you want us?” she crosses her arms across her chest and stands a little taller.

“I have already agreed that you will all go to Nate and James', along with Titus and his family. They're our neighboring ranch,” Riggs says, scrubbing his hand across his beard. “I don't want to risk them getting hurt.”

“That's a smart plan.”

“Nate told us they have a bunker that runs under their land. Not that I think it'll come to that but he is just being over cautious.”

“Nothing wrong with that,” she admits.

“Plus he is going to help us, getting us comms and he has pulled some strings to get some people here if needed.”

“I like this Nate, make sure we invite him and his family for dinner,” and Tripp chuckles.

“Let's just focus on the job in hand, ma,” I scoff a laugh, and she nods, her own lips pressing into a smile.

“Fair,” she winks, and Riggs claps his hands together.

“Right, so we go home, try and sleep and chill and whatever the fuck else you want to do...” his lips twitch, “we will meet tomorrow, ten a.m. at Sunny's. Then I’ve agreed she will go to Nate's too. Not getting her wrapped up in this shit show.” I nod.

“Ma.” He holds his hand out for our mom and she slips it into his palm as he pulls her in for a hug. “We've got this, I promise,” he presses his lips to the top of her head.“It's time for us to end this war...” he murmurs before lifting his head. “Live by the ranch...”

“Die by the ranch,” Tripp and I say together before we all huddle, protecting mom, if only for a moment.

“You boys are my purpose, my biggest blessing but also my biggest worry...”

“We will be safe ma,” I say quietly.

“I know,” her voice trembles. “But just in case I haven't said it in a while, I love you all.”

And I don't know why, but that felt like the last time I would hear those words.

My chest aches but I ignore it.

I just needed to get through tonight.

Closingthe door on my family and turning the lock, I let out a heavy exhale and it felt like I had been holding it for hours.

Morgan appears at the top of the stairs and I watch as she floats towards me. Silk pink nightdress, the lace trim sitting high on her thighs, her golden hair framed around her face.

“Fuck, you look like a god damn angel,” raspiness wraps around my tone.

She hovers on the bottom step and I walk towards her, wrapping my arms around her waist as I pull her against my body.

“But I need you to ditch the wings and the halo tonight, Sunflower.” I whisper as I lower my lips to hers and my heart jolts in my chest like a wild mustang galloping across the planes. Loving her was easy, thoughtless... like breathing.

“I can do that,” she breaks the kiss and pulls my arms from her waist and lets her fingers trail to link through mine before she turns and leads me up the stairs.

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