“Not playing, Sugar. It’s your place. Your sister. I get that. But you have a history of running off and getting into trouble. Stay where I tell you. Agree now, or you stay home, tied to the bed, and that’s a damn shame to walk out on.”

Rolling her eyes, she waggled her head. “Agree. Agree. I’ll behave.”

They turned and walked toward the hall, and a spike of adrenaline shot through his system. Bringing Sugar into danger sucked on so many levels. Something could go wrong. She might do her own thing anyway. Maybe hell would turn arctic, and she would stay put, but things could still go wrong. A nasty headache cropped up. If he left her at home, he would be too far away if this was a set up.

Damn it. He slapped the wall as they rounded the corner for the stairs.

Her eyes peeled wide. “What’s the matter?”

He kissed her. Hot and heady, his tongue moved over hers. She tasted so sweet; he might never be able to stop. But he made himself. No time for this. Breaking the kiss, she went slack in his arms, sighing as he pressed a kiss to her forehead, then her temple. He hugged her tightly.

“If something goes wrong,” he whispered, shaking his head. “I can’t live without you. Do you get that? I will do whatever it takes to end this with Baer. To protect you. Your sister. Your family. Whatever—”

“I don’t have family. I have a sister.”

“Okay. Not my point.” He paused. “I need you to survive this hurdle because I want a future with you. I’m not a flowers-and-love-songs type guy, but I’ve got shit to say and no time to say it. So if you know anything else, know this. I love you. You’re the reason for my beating heart, sweet Sugar. Once we kick Buck Baer’s fuckin’ ass, I promise you, I’ll spell it out. Have it written in the sky or tattooed on my arm. Whatever it takes, you’ll know it, believe it, breathe it, just like me. I love you.”

“I do love you, Jared.”

“I know you do. And now you know it’s more than just a feeling. It’s a way of life.”

Their hands found each other, her Beretta clasped in one, and they moved toward the door. He was ready to end his blowout with Baer. By the day’s end, Baer would know Jared’s wrath firsthand.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Sugar watched Jared as he drove. He was so focused on his mission that she worried his jaw would shatter. Jared drove with one hand on the wheel, the other hand placed firmly on her knee as though he were holding her in place.

Her mind was already sprinting. Her legs felt the need to do a fifty-yard dash. Running was foremost on her mind. But she wasn’t sure if Jared thought she would run from him or to GUNS.