Page 111 of Reins

That damn lip rolls, one of her tells that it stresses her. “I heard. Would you know what to look for?”

Letting out a sigh of resignation, I nod. “I’ve had explosives training and how to pinpoint critical target areas.” I grimace as I admit it. “I’m probably better qualified than most of his crew.”

Surprisingly, she smiles. “I knew you would be. I’m married to a superhero.”

Now that makes me snort. “Hardly, baby.” Then I can feel my mouth drop. “But we need to decide so I can tell Wade.”

“What happens if you don’t go?” Her big blue eyes blink like she’s struggling to stay neutral.

“Either nothing or a bomb goes off.” I squint over her head to see the early sun breaking through the trees.

“And if you do?” she whispers.

“Well, the first two options and add in I get caught by one of my brothers. Maybe I get the snot beat out of me by Dixon because he’s an ornery son of a bitch.” I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen that man actually look happy.

It won’t be if he sees me at Sophia’s wedding without an invite. Especially since they all likely still think I’m the fucking villain.

“Or…” She drags out the word. “You find the explosive and save everyone. Then they all welcome you back with open arms.” Her smile doesn’t quite reach her sapphire irises.

“Or…” I mimic her iteration with a smirk. “I take you back to bed and we try again to put a baby in that tight little pussy.” I reach down and cup between her thighs, making her giggle.

There’s that laugh that I fucking covet.

She falls quiet too quickly. “Cade, we can do that when we get home. Tonight. After you save the day.” Her palms flatten on my chest. “I just want to be there too—”“Absolutely not,” I growl. “I’m not letting you get anywhere near the fairgrounds. I can’t watch you and do my job.”

Her chin trembles but her jaw clenches. “And I don’t want to be here wondering how many pieces you’re in the whole time.”

There’s that ribbon of steel I love. But damn it.

That’s the trade off. I don’t want to leave her alone to spiral.

Yet there’s so much of me that wants to do anything I can to save my family, even if they hate me.

I know if anything did happen and I wasn’t there, I’d blame myself.

By the look in Rosalyn’s gaze, I’d say she knows that too.

“Just promise me, whatever I tell you to do, you’ll do it immediately.” I use that deep tone I know gets her to listen when her own head is spinning.

“I will.”

Chapter 53 - Rosalyn

How can everyone be so happy when the danger is so real?

I want to be blissfully ignorant like them. To laugh and joke as they stand in line for corndogs and mountains of fries. I’m jealous that they can enjoy the rodeo for what it is, watching the bucking bulls without flinching every time the buzzer goes off.

Cade has me perched near the edge of the bleachers. He said that it’s the best place that he can find me in a glance.

I don’t think he wants me hanging off his arm like I wanted to be.

This was the compromise since I refused to stay in the truck.

There’s a guilty part of me that wanted to see Sophia. So I could catch a glimpse of the family I never met and may not know.

When the last bull has thrown its rider, there’s a flurry of activity as a podium and microphone are brought in.

Then a giant of a man who looks vaguely familiar takes the stage and introduces himself.