“Why didn’t I hear it?” Matt demanded, picking up the flashlight and shining it down the hall, almost in her face.

  “Too far away. But I am worried. If they lose…”

  “We’re all dead. Let’s go.” Trees took her hand, alert and battle ready as they charged toward the stairs. “You stayed behind to fight?”

  At the chiding note in his voice, she shook her head. “I stayed behind to find you.”

  “In the dark?” he asked softly as they reached the end of a long corridor, past what had once been an industrial elevator, and headed up. “You must have been terrified.”

  “I was more afraid of not finding you.” She squeezed his hand, meeting his stare in shadow.

  Trees squeezed her hand in return, then looked over her head to Matt. “You have to help me with this shoulder.”

  “Your arm isn’t broken?”

  “No.”

  Matt still hesitated. “I shouldn’t do this, and putting it back in place is going to hurt like hell.”

  “I’ll only be half as effective in getting us out alive if you don’t.”

  “Roger that.” Matt nodded, then handed her the flashlight. “Get on the floor.”

  Trees didn’t hesitate to get supine.

  Matt took hold of Trees’s wrist and winced. “Laila, kiss him. Don’t let him pull away.”

  “Now?”

  “I’m going to scream, honey. He’s trying to muffle the sound. Come here.” Trees held his good arm open to her.

  She fell to her knees, then fitted herself against him and looked down into his face. “I thought I had lost you.”

  “Shh.” He kissed her forehead. “I’m here, but clearly this shit isn’t over.”

  She might still lose him.

  Laila surged forward, pressing her lips to his battered ones gently, aware of Matt raising Trees’s limp arm as he pumped it in small, sharp circles.

  Trees stiffened and roared into their kiss, pressing against her lips so hard she swore hers would bruise, but she didn’t pull away until Matt stepped back.

  Breathing hard, Trees groaned and got to his feet, rolling his shoulder experimentally. He gave Matt a thumbs-up. “Thanks.”

  The cowboy nodded. “Let’s go.”

  “As soon as I get Laila someplace safe.”

  “By then, it will be too late,” she argued, ensuring the safety on the gun was off. “I can help.”

  “The hell you will, woman.”

  “She’s not a fragile doll, man. And we don’t have time to find the fucking way out of here or to argue.”

  Trees swore heartily but grabbed her hand and climbed the stairs. “Stay behind me.”

  “I will.” Unless he needed help. Until it no longer made sense.

  Her heart pounded as they ascended and reached the main area at the front of the hospital. Everything and everyone had fallen quiet. Were they all dead?

  Then Logan appeared, looking relieved as hell. He pressed a finger to his lips, then tipped his head toward the middle of the room.

  “You want to negotiate or you want me to blow your brains out?” Hunter growled.

  Federico’s face was twisted with anger and dark with defeat. “Tell me what you want.”

  “All shooting stops. Now.”

  “Fine—if you and your operatives get your business out of my cartel.” Montilla’s successor spit at Hunter’s feet. “And do not come back.”

  “As long as you agree to leave Valeria, Laila, and Jorge alone for good. No coming after them, no stalking, no threatening, no—”

  “They were Montilla’s concerns, and he is dead. That makes me boss now. Those women are not my whores, the kid is not my son, and I am not a foolish, sentimental old man. If they swear to stay far away from all things related to the business, I will not bother them.”

  “We want money,” Laila called out. “For our years of suffering.”

  Trees cursed under his breath. “You’re playing with fire…”

  “I am making sure my sister is secure.” She tried to untangle her fingers from his and face down Federico.

  Trees was having none of that, protecting her with his own body as he led her to the new drug lord.

  “How much?” Federico sneered.

  “Five million.” The amount was a pittance to an operation like Tierra Caliente but everything to her family. “Cash.”

  Federico didn’t even blink. “If you and your sister agree to relinquish any right to future profits, yes.”

  “We will.” Gladly. She wanted no part of that life. Valeria would agree.

  “And everyone walks out of here alive. We all go our separate ways without another shot being fired or another punch being thrown?” Hunter pressed. “Without any vendettas being issued.”

  “Agreed…in exchange for the other concession you promised. I want Victor Ramos.”

  Of course he did. Victor had been trying to undermine the senior Montilla and the Tierra Caliente hierarchy since Emilo died, not merely because he’d hated the old man. He’d wanted the power for himself. Naturally, the new management of the organization wouldn’t stand for that. They would want Victor snuffed out at all costs.

  He deserved it.

  “Done,” Laila answered.

  Hunter jerked his stare in her direction.

  She raised a brow back at him. “What use do you have for him? Did you think to turn him over to your American justice system where justice is almost never served? Where he could too easily use his money and pull strings to walk free so he can continue to torment me?”

  Hunter hesitated, then glanced at Logan and Joaquin. When they both nodded, he scowled. “Fine. You and all your boys disarm. Let us get our wounded out. You can do the same. We’ll be back with Victor.”

  Federico nodded, then met her stare. “I can have the cash brought here as well. Then I expect never to see you, your sister, or your nephew ever again.”

  “Nothing would make us happier.”

  The new boss and his men left their weapons with Deke Trenton and Jack Cole, who stood over a dusty reception counter against one wall. Federico snapped at some of his grunts to carry out their dead, including Montilla, who, despite his threats and demands, had never once held his son.

  Good. That man’s tainted blood already ran in her nephew’s veins. Jorge didn’t need the stench of his touch, too. Laila didn’t know what Valeria would tell her son someday about his father. She hoped by then her sister had found a good man who would be a positive male role model for the boy so he never succumbed to the evil half of his genes.

  At her side, Trees took her in his arms, his gaze watchful as Matt helped an injured Trevor, who had been shot in the shoulder. Joaquin offered a hand to Ghost, who cursed and clutched his middle like he had some bruised ribs.

  “Is that the extent of our injuries?” Trees asked Hunter.

  “Yeah. One-Mile saved our asses. I called him on his honeymoon in Maui and flew his ass out here, and… Speak of the devil.”

  Walker strode through what had once been the front door, sniper rifle in hand, and headed straight for her. “You all right, Laila?”

  She nodded, realizing what had happened. “You shot Montilla?”

  “When he had the gun to your head, yes.”

  Trees looked taken aback—and horribly pissed off—at the news. “The asshole had a gun to your head?”

  Laila squeezed his hand. “I am fine. Thank you, Señor Walker. I owe you a giant debt.”

  “You don’t. You helped me escape your brother-in-law’s compound last fall. Without you, I would have died and rotted in that place. As far as I’m concerned, the score is even.”

  Trees stuck out his hand. “Thanks. If anything had happened to her…”

  “I get it. Being in love and having something to lose? It’s terrifying.” One-Mile shook his hand. “I’m, um…sorry I accused you of being EM Security’s mole.”

  “I didn’t love it, but it was the logical conclusion. Next time, maybe confront me to my face?”

  “Sure. And I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt first.”

  “That would be great.” Trees smiled.

  “Trees!”

  Laila looked up to find Zy entering the big space and, with Kane’s help, dragging Victor inside. Valeria trailed behind them, holding Jorge close.

  “Hey, buddy.” Trees smiled.

  “You good, man? You look like shit.”

  “Aww, you’re just being nice.”

  “What are friends for?” Zy teased as he stopped with Victor in the middle of the room.

  Her former rapist and tormentor still had venom in his eyes, but he also had the good sense to look afraid. She didn’t feel an ounce of pity for him. Perhaps someone better would be looking into their heart to find forgiveness. Laila couldn’t lie. She was just looking forward to his death.

  “This is your fault, puta,” he snarled.

  “Shut the fuck up.” Trees barreled toward him.

  Laila held him back, loving that he wanted to protect her. But confronting Victor was something she needed to do herself. “No, it is yours. You chose to violate me as a child, over and over, using me for your sick pleasure. But you made me stronger. You made me a fighter. And because of that, you made me the instrument of your demise.”

  “Are you going to shoot me yourself? Is that your little revenge?” He sneered. “I doubt you have the stomach.”

  Laila realized she could do it now. She had a gun. No one would stop her. Federico might be put out that he didn’t get to torture Victor before ending him, but ultimately the new drug lord wanted this piece of trash dead.

  Still, killing Victor quickly would be too easy and merciful for him. And she refused to waste more time and attention on this scum. Besides, she wasn’t violent. Trees had shown her a path to happiness. Why taint her soul with vengeance when she could take his hand and embrace her future?

  “You are right. So I will simply say good-bye—my way.” She stepped closer.

  “Laila…” Trees warned.

  “Hermana!” Valeria gasped.

  She sent them both soft, reassuring glances. Then she released Trees’s comforting grip and faced Victor. Her smile turned cutting. And she spit in his face.

  He blanched, his eyes shooting fire as he lunged for her. Zy and Kane held him back, each with an unyielding grip on one of his arms.

  “Pipe down, motherfucker,” Zy growled, then turned to her. “Got more for him?”

  “He deserves it. Go on,” Trees encouraged, pointing a gun in his face. “And if he tries anything…”

  Of course her beloved would shoot him. Trees was protective, and he hated this bastard. But it was more. He wanted her to close this chapter of her life and not regret walking away without getting whatever justice she could.

  “Just one thing.” Because she knew that whatever Federico had planned for Victor would be far more horrific and painful than anything she could dream up.

  Laila braced herself on Victor’s arms. He trembled with rage. She ignored him completely—until she used all her might to drive her knee into his balls.

  He groaned and doubled over, falling to his knees.

  Laila stood over him. “You are a pedophile and a rapist and a piece of shit. You deserve everything coming to you.”

  Behind him, she caught sight of Federico’s men returning. A new arrival in a suit hovered outside, looking very official and carrying a briefcase. The rest rushed in, heading straight for Victor with cuffs, old-school tools, and evil smiles.

  “Mr. Ramos, what a pleasure to see you already on your knees.” Federico grabbed Victor by the hair and yanked his head back cruelly. “It is the perfect position for you.”

  Then he motioned to two of his men, who took Zy’s and Kane’s places and dragged a struggling Victor across the room. They cuffed one arm to a decorative bracket under the counter. The other they restrained to the nearby door handle. When they were done, one thug whipped out a pair of pliers.

  The man’s awful grin sent shudders down Laila’s spine—and left her no doubt that Victor wouldn’t leave here alive. “Give me your tongue.”

  Federico motioned her and Valeria outside. They followed, as did Trees, watching as Chavez took the briefcase from the suit’s hands and handed it to Laila. “The money for you ladies.” He sent her an amused glance. “It is good to be the hero, yes?”

  The words echoed exactly those she had exchanged with Montilla’s informant. “It was you I texted with.”

  He nodded. “It is also good to keep your own best interests in mind.”

  Those words rolled around in Laila’s head until she realized what he meant. “You told me where to find Kimber because you wanted Montilla weakened for your own purposes.”

  “She did not belong there, and your lover nearly did the job for me when he shot the old man. But Montilla came out of his coma last week, forcing me to regroup. You and your sister’s perfectly timed message gave me exactly what I needed to wrest control for good. It is fortunate, indeed, that both of you want nothing to do with the organization.”

  Or he would have killed them without a second thought. She suppressed a shiver. “Nothing at all.”

  “Ever,” Valeria chimed in, clutching Jorge tight. “Neither will my son.”

  “Excellent. This concludes our business, then. Mr. Edgington.” He nodded at Hunter, who exited the hospital and headed straight for them, Logan and Joaquin in tow. “You and your men have been admirable adversaries. I hope this is where we part ways?”

  Hunter scowled. “I fucking hate what you do for a living, but it’s not my job or my crusade to put you down, especially since, if I did, another you would only spring up tomorrow.”

  “It is wise to know the battles you cannot win. I wish you safe travels,” he murmured, as if he was a gracious host, not a criminal boss.

  Before he could return inside, Laila grabbed Chavez’s arm. “I want to know how Ramos will die.”

  The man smiled. “Bloodthirsty, huh? If I did not have a wife I loved with all my heart, you would be a very interesting woman to tame.”

  Trees pulled her back, against his big, protective body. “She’s going to be my wife.”

  “And you will ensure she stays out of my business?”

  “Damn straight.”

  “Good man.” Federico turned his attention back to her. “My men will end Victor Ramos and make it as torturous as possible. I am not sure quite how. You are welcome to stay and watch.”

  In a way, his offer was tempting. A part of her wanted to see Victor’s awful end. But her heart had other ideas. That part of her didn’t want to spend another moment in the past or fixated on violence. She’d rather look forward, embrace happiness, and start her future. Now that her family was safe and their tomorrows were secure, it was time.

  “No. I have a life to live.” With the man she loved.

  “A wise choice. I wish you all health and happiness. Goodbye.” Chavez nodded their way one last time, then sauntered back into the abandoned hospital just as Victor’s screams began to tear through the night.

  Laila ignored them and kissed her sister’s cheek, then laid a soft kiss on her nephew’s forehead before handing her the briefcase. “For you.”

  Valeria shook her head, then settled the money back in Laila’s grip. “Keep it. I took much more from Emilo before I left, and you deserve every penny.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “Positive. Perhaps you and Trees could use it to start your married life?”

  Laila frowned. “Are you going somewhere?”

  “Back to St. Louis, I think. It felt like home to me. I enjoyed the seasons. I liked my neighborhood. I made friends. It is a place to start.”

  Laila frowned. After fighting so hard for her family, they wouldn’t be staying together after all? “But…”

  “You thought I would remain in Louisiana? Follow wherever you went?” Valeria shook her head. “You do not need me anymore. And I must stand on my own two feet. I will raise my son and, hopefully, find a good man someday. In the meantime, I think I will go to beauty school. That sounds…nice.”

  Laila took her sister’s hand. “I will miss you and Jorge, but I want you to be happy.”

  “For the first time ever, I will. You have taught me so much about being brave.” Valeria squeezed her fingers. “I can move forward now. I love you.”

  Then she turned away and murmured something to Kane, who escorted her to the van, opened the door, and sealed her inside.

  Trees led her away from the others, under the moonlight and away from the sounds of Victor’s pain. Then he took her face in his hands. “You okay, little one?”

  She turned to him, visually tracing every cut, scrape, bruise, and scab. “Are you? We should get you to a doctor.”

  “When we get stateside. But I’m fine. No, I’m great. I have you, so I have everything.” He settled a kiss on her forehead. “You scared me in there.”

  “I was terrified of losing you.”

  He shook his head. “You can’t lose me, honey. From the first moment I saw you, I was yours. Nothing’s changed.”

  Her face softened as her heart melted. “When I met you, I did not believe there was such a thing as a good man. But God blessed me with the best when He sent you to rescue me. I am sorry for all I’ve put you through. But I swear I am yours forever. I want to marry you, Forest Scott.”

  Thrill crossed his face, followed by a frown of regret. “I wanted to propose to you the right way. I wanted to put you in a pretty dress, take you to dinner, then get down on one knee with a sparkling ring and find the perfect words.”

  She set the briefcase at her feet and clutched his arms. “I do not need any of those things. I only need you. I love you.”

  “I love you, too, honey. Let me take you home now so we can start our forever.”

  June

  Four months later

  The day dawned perfect. Trees opened his eyes, vowing this was the last time he’d ever wake up in his bed alone.

  Today, Laila would finally become his wife.