Page 150 of Brutal
Too fast.
“You keep saying that,” I say. “Like it makes it true.”
“It is true.”
“Is it?” I whip my hands to my hips. “Why did you let that old timer talk my ear off on the dock, then? He told me things. Things you should have told me.”
He doesn’t reply.
“Why, Samson?” I shake my head. “I don’t like being handled.”
He grits his teeth. “Then stop putting yourself in situations where you need to be.”
“You took me to the marina,” I fire back. “You let that old man say his piece.”
“And you ran after me when I followed the other guy,” he grits out. “I told you to stay put.”
“Alone? On the dock?” I let out a breath. “That was keeping me out of trouble?”
His gaze drops to my mouth.
Just for a second.
That’s all it takes.
Heat sparks low and immediate.
Damn him.
“You think this is about keeping you out of trouble?” he says quietly.
“What is it about, then?”
“Survival.”
I step closer. “If that’s all this is,” I say, “then why did you bring me here?”
“Because I didn’t want you anywhere else.”
I sigh and then turn and walk inside.
He follows.
The door closes behind us.
The place feels different now. Charged. Like it knows what’s coming.
I don’t go to the main room.
I don’t go to my bedroom.
I go straight down the hall.
To the door.
The chain.
The lock.
