Page 154 of After the Burn

Fuck.

I turned to Taryn, and her face had gone cold. She looked more like the Taryn she used to be than the one she had become.

All the men drove off, leaving Mace’s body lying in the middle of the road. I guess Gideon didn’t really give a shit about him, other than as an enforcer.

We all stood, but no one spoke for several minutes.

Then Taryn whispered, "I refuse to be hunted like a damn animal.”

Beck’s voice came from behind us, pissed and deadly. “We let them get ahead, then we follow.”

“I’ll kill every single one of those fucks.” Lucas growled.

“Yes, but first we need to get Rory somewhere safe.” I also wanted to kill those bastards, but we had to do things right. I glanced at the beautiful brunette I’d loved for years, feeling a burning rage toward the men who had just left. Taryn was mine, and I would kill anyone who tried to take her from me.

“I know a place.” Finley picked Rory up.

Wren glanced at him. “The silo?”

“Yes.” Finley nodded.

Taryn turned and walked a few yards deeper into the woods, then leaned against a tree.

I followed, with Lucas and Beck on my heels.

“What’s wrong, baby?” I laid my hand on her shoulder.

When she turned to face me, her expression was so full of rage that I stepped back.

“Those pieces of shit have had Lila all this time.” Tears welled in her eyes. “I’m afraid to find out what they’ve done to her.”

“Menace, I know it’s tough, but try not to think like that," Lucas said softly, resting his forehead gently against hers. “Lila’s grown strong because of you, and I truly believe she’s okay."

“I’m the reason she’s in this mess. I should’ve stayed at the farmhouse like you said.” Taryn turned away from him.

“No,” Beck grumbled. “You did what you thought was right.” He took her hand and pulled her in. "Can you guess how many people in my life have ever bothered to help me out of a tough spot?”

With a single tear rolling down her face, Taryn met his eyes. “No.”

Beck drew her in, his tongue tracing the path of her tear before his lips met hers in a gentle kiss. “None.”

“He’s right," Lucas said as he approached from behind, resting his cheek on her head. “You’re the kind of woman every man wants—the one who’ll fiercely defend those she loves, regardless of the risks.”

I walked over and grabbed her chin. “Now, enough with the regrets. What’s the plan?”

Her eyes hardened. “First, I'm finding Lila, then I'm killing all those bastards.”

“I like it,” Beck bared his teeth in a semblance of a smile. “Simple and to the point.”

Simple.

I grinned evilly.

Except that nothing about the expression on Taryn’s face was simple.

I knew her.

She wasn’t thinking about one woman anymore. She was thinking about them all.