Page 120 of Untamed Sinner

Not fast enough—Mandy fires.

The sound of the shot rolls across the airstrip. Ashford jerks backward. His gun hits the pavement as he drops.

As Mandy lowers her weapon, I walk past her.

Ashford is still breathing. Barely.

I look down at him—at the man who put a price on Mandy. Who had her hunted. Who had his men put their hands on her.

I raise my gun and fire once.

His body goes still.

Behind me, Mandy says, “Seriously?”

I turn.

She’s standing with her hands on her hips, the gun pointing down. “He was already dead.”

I holster my weapon. “It made me feel better.”

She tips her head and studies me. “It did?”

I consider it. “Marginally.”

Her mouth twitches. Then she winces. “Stop making me smile. It hurts.”

I walk back to her. This time when I touch her face, I’m careful. Very fucking careful. “You need Lily.”

She closes her eyes. “I need tequila.”

“You need Lily.”

“Both things can be true.”

Jake comes toward us. “Clear.”

It should be. Ashford is dead. Mandy is alive.

And somehow, I know this isn’t over.

But for tonight, I take her hand, and I don’t let go.

88

MANDY

Back at Blackthorn Ranch, the kitchen is warm and bright, a violent contrast to the mill, the airstrip, the blood dried along the collar of my shirt, and everything else tonight.

Mason leans against the counter behind Lily.

Jake went to take a shower. Emma went to wash his back.

Luke and Harper disappeared after going out for ice, coffee, and an entire box of donuts. Apparently, emergencies have catering requirements.

Hendricks hasn’t been more than three feet away from me since the airstrip, but he’s currently standing four feet away. Progress.

Lily tilts my chin toward the light. “Nothing broken.”