's message until

w, he knew exac

ould tell Colt. Show him the message. But the thought of

or bur

ing the phone

s and a leather vest. Her patch read "Property of Razor." She

t a plate of food on the table. "The

not m

he ceiling. "I am Candy. I run the girls here. Colt sa

ul

hout an escort. Rule three:" Her eyes went hard. "You do not mess with Colt's head. He is finally over yo

ying to mess

or the door, then paused. "The shower

slammed b

imple-burger and fries-but I could not remember the last time

ne buzz

here. Nice place. Lots of

oded my

e. Outside

d it open, and nearly col

o

gripping my arms. "W

ut strangled. "Derek. He is o

ow

d I almost dropped it. Colt took it, read the

!" he

rlier appeared with

horization." Colt's voice was steel. "And find me a white pickup truck. Nev

Razor dis

he door shut. "Why did you not tell

s goi

his body caging mine. "You were going

d when I saw his face. Fury

as quiet. Dangerous. "Standing in that church. Waiting. My mothe

my eyes. "He showed me his gun. Told me exactly

ng me instead?" His laugh wa

teen! I was

raced my jaw. "Are you

ot the way

ill wanted him. How much I still

ol

houting erupted. Gunfire cracked thr

body went rigi

is hap

, checked the clip. "Lock this door behind me. D

, ple

ike the sweet kisses we shared as teenag

he wa

s and backed away from it. More gun

one b

tart killing your new friend

o, no

er me

y sec

door. Heard more shots

lowed me here. He was hurtin

Your choice, ba

ck before I could think. B

if I went out there. Knew

nnocent people die be

k click

rocked the compound. The lights went out. Emerge

houetted against the red glow,

k sm

" he said softly.

Colt round the c

eyes

le clarity that tonight, o