As we crawlthrough the departures traffic, Beau’s leg bounces against the seat. He hasn’t said a word the entire drive.
The silence is suffocating.
My phone buzzes, and I see Hunter’s name. My heart slams.
Hunter: Have a safe flight. I know I said I’d give you space, but I can’t let this fester while you’re away. I promise I will make this up to you. You mean everything to me, Lola. You have my heart. You always will. And Sterling Ranch is your home. But you, firefly, you are my home. I love you. I love you a million times over.
I don’t even finish reading the first message before the next one pings through.
Hunter: I really am sorry, firefly.
I read his message, and the tears I’ve been holding press against my eyes so hard they ache.
This man. Even when he’s wrong, even when he’s hurt me, he finds the words.
I start typing a reply. My fingers are trembling, and Beau clears his throat. I turn to face him, and he’s still staring at the road ahead. But then he glances at me.
I’m kind of sick of how cold he’s being towards me. I’ve done nothing except love his brother.
“Beau. Do you have a problem with me?”
He shrugs. “Nah. Not you.”
I frown. Now he’s tapping on the steering wheel. His jaw is tense. Way more off than usual.
“Then what? I’d like us to get along for Hunter’s sake.”
He scoffs. Keeping his eyes on the traffic ahead. But he says absolutely nothing. I fear this is pointless. “Uh. Lola. Could I borrow your phone real quick before you jump out? I left mine at home.” He pauses, glancing at me. “Then we can discuss how we become friends. For Hunter.”
I blink. We’re almost at the front of the line to park up outside departures.
I look down at my half-written message, swipe it up, and hand it over. “Fine. Here you are.”
Everything happens at once.
The locks slam down on all the doors, and Beau snatches the phone from my fingers and tosses it out of his window. It hits the sidewalk and skids across concrete.
“Beau! What the fuck!”
He closes the windows. The tires screech as he rips out of the line and accelerates toward the exit.
I reach for the door handle, but it doesn’t budge. So I unbuckle my seatbelt.
“Don’t, Lola.” His voice has changed. He sounds evil. “Don’t make me hurt you. Because I need you alive. I don’t want to make this worse than it already is.”
I turn, and there is a gun on his lap that is angled at my stomach.
“What are you doing?” I whisper.
“I’m saving my family ranch and getting the legacy I deserve.”
“Let me out!” I scream, bashing my body against the door. Trying anything to get out of this damn truck.
“Enough!” he roars.
And as I turn to face him, his gun is hurtling towards my cheek. When it connects, it sends my head flying back against the window.
It all starts to happen fast. My eyes go heavy. My limbs turn to sand.