Ride or Die (Rejects Paradise 4)

I clench my jaw, my hand still shaking as I watch him. How am I supposed to continue through with this now?

“O,” Nic murmurs, his voice low and broken as he looks at me with those eyes that have tortured me for far too long. Betrayal flickers through them, and it tears me to shreds, only making the tears fall faster. “I get it now, but don’t do this to yourself. You might be strong enough to pull that trigger but what do you do afterward? I can’t have that burden sitting on your shoulders for the rest of your life. It will tear you apart.”

“Don’t,” I demand, the desperation getting all too much as he starts playing with my emotions. I clench my jaw, flinching the gun and forcing myself not to break. “Fight back. Don’t make this harder than it needs to be.”

He shakes his head, truly realizing that this could be the end. His eyes soften, and he steps right into me, wrapping his arms around me and holding me tight, his hands traveling up and down my back as the gun gets squished between our bodies. “It’s okay,” he murmurs, his head dipped and his lips brushing across my neck. “I understand. I’ve killed countless men, I’ve tortured women, I’ve played twisted fucking games. I knew it was only a matter of time before it all caught up with me. This day was coming, I just didn’t realize it was going to be so soon. Though I have to admit, I’m glad it’s you. You’re the only one that I’d even be okay with pulling the trigger. Just do me a favor and make it quick.”

Sobs pull from deep within me, and Nic holds me tight, giving me this moment. “It’s okay, my sweet angel,” he murmurs over and over again. “It’s going to be okay. I forgive you. I know you have to do this. I love you so goddamn much.”

“The fuck are you doing?” Kairo grunts, watching Nic in horror.

Nic ignores him and steps back out of my arms, and I instantly hold the gun back up, aiming right between his eyes as the sobs continue tearing out of me. I try taking deep breaths but the lump in my throat makes it nearly impossible.

I struggle to hold myself together, and when Nic holds his arms out wide, begging for me to take the shot and end it all, Sebastian and Eli gasp in horror as Kai runs out in front of the gun, blocking my shot. “Don’t you dare fucking shoot him.”

“MOVE,” I demand, the tears washing down my face like waterfalls. “I have to.”

“Ocean, don’t,” Sebastian begs, the panic rising in his tone. “Please, baby. We’ll figure out a way. Don’t take him from us.”

The tears stream down my face, and as I take a deep breath and bring my finger over the trigger, a firm hand comes down on my shoulder. “Jade.” His soft, velvety voice breaks through my inner turmoil before his body presses against mine. “Stop.”Chapter 36“Listen to your friends,” Colton says, his voice wrapping around me like a silky caress, commanding me like never before. “Don’t do this. It’ll destroy you.”

Unable to help myself, I lean back against Colton, knowing he’s right but still struggling against what I have to do. The Wolves need this. I need this. Nic has to be stopped.

His hand travels along my outstretched arm until his hand hovers over mine. He presses down, forcing me to lower my arm, bringing the gun to my side. I drop the weapon, listening as it clatters to the ground.

Colton holds me up, and weakness overwhelms me.

I crush myself into his arms as I hear the soft sighs of relief coming from all four of the guys. Nic drops down onto his knees, breathing heavily before falling back onto his ass and letting his head hang as the emotions overwhelm him.

Kai walks to his side and presses his hand against his shoulder. “Come on, man,” he says. “We’ll get you whatever help you need.”

Nic shakes his head before looking up at Colton, knowing damn well that what he’s about to ask is going to be refused by the others. “Call the police,” he says. “It’s time to hand myself in.”

Colton nods, and as he digs his hand into his pocket and pulls out his phone, I pull out of his arms and make my way toward Nic.

I hold out my hand, still struggling against the tears and sobs that continue coming, one after another.

Nic instantly takes my hand, and instead of allowing me to help him up, he pulls me down into his laps and curls his arms around me. My face is pressed against his chest, and I breathe him in, knowing that this is going to be the last time I see him for a while. “I’m so sorry, O,” he murmurs. “I knew I was hurting you, but I’ve never been able to see past my own needs. I’ve been so fucking selfish. I don't deserve you in my life. You’ve stood by me time and time again when I never once deserved that loyalty from you.”