She had a thoroughly fucked look about her I’d never get enough of. Before I changed my mind about fleeing, I zipped up the duffle, grabbed my gun—the one that had faired better than Alex’s purse—and we made our way through the dark toward the stairs.

Fierce cold wind blasted us on deck. I flung the bag over my shoulder, tucked the gun into the waistband of my jeans, and adjusted her hood to protect her face from the bitter weather. “You okay?”

“Just get me on land.”

Winding an arm around her, I pulled her to my side, and we stepped off the boat together, shuffled down the slick dock, and ventured into soggy grass. We trudged through the mud toward my truck, parked mere feet away.

A pair of headlights illuminated us in the night. Pushing Alex behind me, I halted as doors opened and slammed shut. Two men ambled toward us, carefree. Like we were good friends, except the guns they grasped at their sides told a different story. At least they weren’t fucking pointing them at us yet, and I wanted to keep it that way.

“Fuck, you scared the shit outta me,” I said, recognizing Nate.

“What’s going on?” He gestured toward the bag hanging over my shoulder.

“Just putting some stuff in the truck for tomorrow.” I glanced at Alex and tried to convey how dire this situation might become if she didn’t play along. “Babe, you wanna put this in the truck? Should be unlocked.”

With a nervous swallow, she took the duffle and tromped through the mud. I shuffled sideways, keeping me between Alex and our intruding visitors.

“It’s fucking freezing. What are you guys doing out here?” I shoved my hands into my pockets.

“Just keeping an eye on things. Shelton insisted we do a little stake out to make sure nothing unexpected happens.” Nate’s grin grated on my nerves. “You shouldn’t have a problem sleeping. We’ll be out here all night.”

Wonderful.

In other words…Alex and I weren’t going anywhere. Not until after I kept my word and fought in this damn match. A door creaked open behind me, and I heard the duffle thump onto the seat. The door shut with a bang that echoed through the night, and Alex returned to my side, her strength quiet but steady. She laced her fingers with mine, and that same uneasy feeling I’d had during my meeting with Shelton in the barn came over me again. Probability was high that he’d try to stop us from leaving at all.

22. End Game - Alex

22. END GAME - ALEX