Total pages in book: 188
Estimated words: 182255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 911(@200wpm)___ 729(@250wpm)___ 608(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 182255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 911(@200wpm)___ 729(@250wpm)___ 608(@300wpm)
“Mom—” Matt started.
She was already pulling him into a fierce hug. “You could have been killed. You and Seth both. My boys—”
“We’re okay, Mom.” Matt’s voice was soft as he held her. “We’re okay.”
Seth smiled despite everything. His mother had both her sons safe and alive.
They’d all survived.
While everyone was wrapped up in reunions and tears, instinct pricked Seth. The hair on the back of his neck stood up as he whirled to where Nik stood alone, gun trained on Gene, without backup.
Fuck.
Seth pushed his way between Heavenly and Beck, racing toward Nik. “Matt, get back—”
Suddenly, from flat on his back, Gene swung his fist into Nik’s kneecap with brutal force.
The Russian stumbled as his leg buckled. His gun wavered.
Gene took advantage of the moment and lunged toward his own ankle, yanking a small pistol from a hidden holster.
As fast as lightning, he swung it up and aimed it directly at Seth. Gene didn’t stand or even attempt to flee. He just smiled—cold, vicious, resigned.
“If I’m going down, motherfucker,” Gene snarled, his finger tightening on the trigger. “Then I’m taking you with me.”
Seth’s world slowed. His thundering heart echoed in his ears.
Suddenly, someone rammed him from the side, shoving him hard. He crashed to the floor as the gun went off—the crack deafening in the enclosed space.
Heavenly’s blood-piercing scream reverberated deep into Seth’s bones. His mother yelped.
Hudson screamed, “No!”
Heart in his throat, Seth snapped his head up to see Beck panting and ghost-white where he’d been standing a split second ago.
He fucking saved my life.
He took in Beck’s ashen face as he swayed on his feet. His hand was still pressed to his blood-soaked shoulder, but his eyes—his eyes were locked on Gene with pure, unyielding fury.
Then Beck’s knees suddenly buckled. He dropped hard, catching himself with one hand on the floor. His breathing was ragged and shallow. He looked seconds from passing out.
Seth raised his weapon and aimed it squarely at Gene’s skull as he leapt to his feet, voice dropping to lethal tones. “Don’t. Fucking. Move.”
As Heavenly raced to Beck’s side, Nik and Matt lunged forward in tandem, slamming Gene back down. Nik wrenched the small pistol from his hand with a savage twist, then shoved the barrel of his own gun against Gene’s temple.
Matt pressed his knee into Gene’s chest, pinning him. “Stay down, you piece of shit.”
Gene didn’t fight, just glared up at them, his breathing harsh, his face twisted with rage and defeat.
The bastard was finally, totally done.
Seth kept his gun trained on Gene, fury and frustration warring in his chest, silently admonishing himself for failing to search Gene. He, Matt, and Nik were professionals; they fucking knew better. But the relief of finding his family alive distracted him. And Gene had done what he did best, taken advantage of the moment. Even in defeat, the lapse had almost cost Seth his life.
It would have, if not for Beck.
Seth’s throat tightened. His eyes burned as he turned.
Despite barely being able to stand, Beck had pushed him out of the way—thrown himself between Seth and Gene’s bullet. He could have died saving him.
Over their shared love of Heavenly, he and Beck had built a solid foundation of commitment. But now?
Their brotherhood was unbreakable.
“Beck,” Heavenly pleaded. “You need to sit. Let’s get you to the couch.”
“Give me a minute, little girl,” he murmured. “Lemme catch my breath.”
Seth wanted to rail at the man—tell him he was a goddamn idiot for risking his life. But thankfully, there’d be time for that later.
Seth swallowed hard and rasped, “Thank you, man. I owe you…everything.”
Beck lifted his head slightly and managed a weak smile. “I told you not to fucking die.”
It was completely out of place, but Seth laughed. “You did. Guess I need to learn to listen.”
Suddenly, his mother rushed over, sinking to her knees beside Beck. Tears streamed down her face as she carefully touched his uninjured arm.
“You saved my son.” Her voice broke as she cupped his face, her expression both fierce and tender. “You saved his life! You’re truly a Cooper…now and forever.” Her voice softened. “If you want, you can call me Mom, too.”
Seth’s chest constricted so hard he thought it might cave in.
His mother—his traditional, Catholic mother—had just claimed Beck as her son. Not in theory. Not out of obligation for his role in Seth’s and Heavenly’s lives.
But because she’d chosen him with her heart.
Seth blinked hard, his throat too tight to speak. He met Beck’s gaze across the room. The surgeon’s eyes were glassy, his expression stunned.
“I’d be honored,” Beck said, his voice rough.
Grace pulled him into a careful embrace, mindful of his injuries, as Heavenly wiped tears from her cheeks. Beck sagged against his mom, his face slightly crumpled before he pulled himself together.
Seth looked away, giving them the moment. His hand was still steady on his gun, his eyes locked on Gene.