Page 125 of Brutal
Did I miss it? The sound is subtle, for sure. I don’t always listen for it. But today I’m not taking chances.
“Your ring opens things,” she says.
I don’t answer.
Because something is wrong.
Not visibly. Not enough for her to see. The foyer is still. The table is centered. The lamp near the wall burns low, exactly as I left it. No broken glass. No forced door. No obvious breach.
But the inner lock is already open.
Someone got here before us.
Delaney steps in behind me. “Samson?—”
I close my hand around her wrist, not gently. She inhales sharply as I pull her forward and then pivot, placing her behind me. Her body hits my back for half a second before I move again.
“Stay.” I demand.
“I didn’t hear anything,” she says.
“That doesn’t mean anything.”
I scan the space now. Nothing out of place. No visible breach. No sound.
But the feeling doesn’t leave.
My hand is still on her wrist. I feel her pulse. I release her slowly.
She doesn’t step away.
Interesting.
“Do you always do that?” she asks quietly.
“Do what?”
“Decide where I stand.”
I turn slightly. She’s closer than she should be. Closer than she was a second ago.
“I decide what keeps you alive,” I say.
“And this keeps me alive?”
“For now.”
She drops her gaze briefly to my hand and then back up. “And after?”
I don’t answer.
Because I don’t know, and I don’t say things I can’t guarantee.
I move farther into the foyer. She follows. Her boots echo softly against the floor. She turns once, scanning.
“This isn’t a house,” she says.
“No.”
