Page 169 of After the Burn

“Come back to me, baby.”

Her fingers tightened in my shirt. “Always.”

She’d damn well better, or I’d kill every motherfucker in that place.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

TARYN

Beck checked the cuffs one last time. “Too tight?”

“No.”

Lucas adjusted the short chain between my wrists. “You can still move?”

“Enough.” I tried to keep the frustration out of my voice because I knew this was hard for them.

Adrian stood a few feet away with the walkie-talkie in one hand, his expression unreadable.

Right after our kiss, he was all about making sure everything went smoothly. He actively planned and prepared multiple backup options in case things didn’t go as planned.

I understood because if any of them went in, I’d be a wreck.

Three men surrounded me. No longer angry or competing with each other, they were now a team, figuring out the best way to keep the woman they each loved safe.

The lonely little girl inside me couldn’t get enough.

Beck touched my jaw. “You see an opening to get you, Lila, and Wren out, take it.”

Lucas brushed his thumb along the back of my neck. “Exactly. Don’t worry about the other women. We won’t leave them in the hell they’re living in.”

Adrian’s eyes held mine. “I know you don’t want to hear it, but in this one instance, follow Ben’s advice. Prioritize your survival over everyone else’s.”

I watched Wren have her moment with Colson, and I knew I cared about that crazy bitch like she was my sister.

Adrian followed my gaze. “I know you love her, but if things go to shit, come to us. We'll get everyone who's left behind out together.”

I nodded. “I⁠—”

“No bullshit, Fox,” Beck interrupted. “I need your promise. Get the fuck out of there if everything goes to shit.” His green eyes darkened. “There’s no me without you.”

Leaving Wren or Lila behind would be damn near impossible for me, but if there were no other way, and I had to leave, these men would find a way to get them out. I didn’t doubt it for a second.

“I give you my word that I’ll get out if things go bad.” My gaze shifted from blue to gray to green. “I love y’all.”

Adrian’s gaze held mine. “But do you trust us to do what we say?”

That one was harder. It was less about trust and more about surrendering control.

I nodded. “I’m trying.”

Beck looked at Lucas. “We’re really letting her do this?”

Lucas sighed. “I’m not sure we have the ability to stop her.”

“She was going with or without us.” Adrian shook his head. “At least this way we have some control.”

I smiled, then stood on my tiptoes and kissed Adrian. “Two points to you for knowing me so well.”