Page 183 of Brutal

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“I don’t know,” I say. “But if it was Cain, and he had a reason, we’ll figure it out.”

He studies me as if he’s waiting for me to pull back.

I don’t.

Not now.

Not after this.

“Say it again,” he says.

“Which part?”

“That you choose me.”

I hold his gaze. “I choose you.’

He presses his forehead to mine again.

“Let’s finish it,” I say. “Together.”

49

SAMSON

I nod.

She’s all in now. And as much as I want to protect her from everything that’s coming next, I want her by my side more.

“I know what you did,” she says again. “I know what that means. And I still?—”

I grip the back of her neck. “Don’t,” I say.

Her eyes widen slightly.

“Don’t say something you can’t take back.”

“I already can’t take it back,” she says.

A beat.

Then—

“I love you.”

She doesn’t say the words as much as they seem to fall out of her. Break out of her, as if they hurt. Like they were never meant to be said here.

Not in this.

Not with what we are.

My entire body goes still.

“I love you knowing exactly what you did,” she says. “I love you knowing what you took from me.”

I tighten my grip. “That’s not love.”

“Yes, it is.”

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