Page 176 of Brutal

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Hard.

Again.

Again.

“Samson!” Delaney’s voice.

Again.

Again.

Again.

“Samson!”

This time I stop. My breathing is heavy. My knuckles are bloodied. But I look a lot better than the other guy.

I straighten slowly. My hands aren’t steady. That’s new.

I look at her.

She saw it.

She saw what I am. What I’ve been trained to be. The beast.

I just took out three big men, one of whom was armed.

And I’d do it again in a fucking heartbeat.

I take a step back.

Just one.

Because I don’t know what else to do.

Because I don’t know what comes next.

Because whatever this was—whatever we are—just collapsed under something neither of us can walk away from.

And the worst part, the part I don’t let form all the way, is that even now…

Even standing in the middle of this, knowing she’s in danger…

I still don’t want her to go.

That’s the sin.

Not what I did on that dock.

Not what I did last night.

Not what I just did to these three men.

This.

Wanting her anyway.

46

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