"GREYSEN!" Novalee collapsed over their body. Sobbing. Covered in their blood. "No! Come back! Please come back!"
James had tears streaming down his face. His hand on Novalee's back. "Nova, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry—"
Neither of them saw Dante move.
The rifle butt caught James in the side of the head. He went down hard. Unconscious before he hit the ground.
"NO!" Novalee looked up, still on her knees. Still covered in Greysen's blood. "JAMES!"
Dante grabbed her by the hair. Yanked her to her feet.
She fought him. Clawed at his hands. "Let me go! JAMES!"
He twisted her arm behind her back. Pain shot through her shoulder. She cried out.
"Enough," Dante said. Cold. Calm.
Two of his men moved toward James's unconscious body.
"Wait!" Novalee stopped struggling. "Wait—don't—don't hurt hi
