Page 176 of Trailer Trash

“What’s wrong, baby?”

“Maybe this isn’t the right time,” she says, her voice cracking.

I grip her tighter. “Don’t say that. Don’t ever say that.”

“Well! Look how your family reacted. Clark’s right. No reasonable person would recommend you marry having been sober for less than a month!”

My heart is about to break through my ribs.

“Please stop talking like this,” I beg.

She looks into my eyes. Instantly, she sees the panic. Her hands cup my jaw, and her thumb strokes my scar.

“You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m just stunned how badly that went.”

I shrug, because the only thing that matters is her. River will survive a cheating ex and broken brother. I survived.

I lean in, softly kissing her lips. I part my mouth, desperate for more. God, I love this woman.

“Hey, fucker,” calls River from behind us.

We both look over our shoulders. River stands several yards away.

“Daddy had to save you again, Kill. Every room has always bent around you. Even my engagement became another part of your fucking tragedy. Payback’s a bitch.”

He pulls a small gun from his waistband. The barrel stares back at us.

Crack!

Light explodes from the end.

Crack!

Crack!

I flinch. I blink. My arm’s wet.

Harlow’s shot. Her blood is gushing out from her back and onto my arm, which still clutches her body tightly.

Crack!

“You took my fiancée,” River says. “Now I took yours.”

I’m up, leaving Harlow to stop River from further unloading his gun. I body slam against him. He falls to the ground. River’s head flies back, hitting the concrete sidewalk with brutal force. The gun is knocked from his hand and slides a few feet away, creating the sound of metal scraping concrete.

I push up. His eyes are wide open. Blood pools beneath his head.

Holy shit.

Harlow!

I spin and rush toward her. She’s bleeding everywhere.

“Baby? Baby! You’re okay. Fuck!” I fumble for my phone, dialing for help.

I scream into the phone the location. “Arias! Hurry. My fiancée’s been shot!”

Dad, Mom, and Jagger step out of the restaurant. Dad rushes to River, assessing the damage.