Page 74 of Every Breath

Rodney pushed him off and laughed, repeating his blow.

“Again? The first time wasn’t successful, but I’ll make sure that this time will be!” The men stood and circled each other, waiting for the other to strike.

Mason’s head was spinning from the recent pounding, but the blood that dribbled down a cut from the side of Rodney’s face gave him some satisfaction.

Rodney grabbed Mason. He must have noticed Mason’s tender spot because he slammed his fist right into Mason’s collarbone.

“Aargh!” Mason screamed in pain.

Brandi had obviously found the knife on the floor because she lunged toward them and plunged the blade into Rodney’s arm. He howled in agony. The wounded man turned on her and slammed his fist into her stomach.

She doubled over and fell to the floor.

Mason saw red and grabbed for the knife, but Rodney had already removed it and slashed it in Mason’s direction.

“You’re going to die tonight, asshole.”

Mason jerked away from the slash of Rodney’s knife. “Like I already said, you won’t find it easy to kill me again.”

“I haven’t killed you yet, but I will. Are you that eager to die?” Rodney swung the knife at him.

This time Mason wasn’t quick enough to completely dodge the knife as it sliced into his side. Brandi grabbed Rodney by the ankle and pulled him off balance, tripping him to the floor. This gave Mason the opportunity to recover.

Mason kicked Rodney in the side, but Rodney still held onto the knife. Rodney’s sleeve was drenched in blood from his wound.

“Oh, you killed me, all right. Didn’t you get my letters? Don’t you recognize me?” Mason’s eyes glared at him before he kicked Rodney in the stomach.

“What…the…hell…are you talking about?” the fallen man asked between breaths, as he tried to raise his knife.

Mason stepped on his hand and Rodney dropped the weapon.

“Take a good look at me. Who do you see? Do I remind you of anyone, friend?”

“Damon?” Rodney’s tone was disbelieving. “How…but…you’re not him.”

“No? Let’s just say I have powerful connections, and I’m here to make sure you don’t get your hands on Brandi or the children. I’m not going to give you another chance to take away my life.”

“You’re crazy. You’re not Damon!” Rodney attempted to get to his feet, but Mason kicked him in the chest and made him crash back to the floor.

Mason stole a quick glance at Brandi, who was staring at him with eyes full of unshed tears. “Damon?” she whispered.

“Get the knife.” Mason didn’t answer her question.

Rodney tried to reach for it, but Mason brought the heel of his foot down on Rodney’s fingers, crushing them. Rodney howled again.

“Don’t even think about it,” Mason hissed. “You took away a part of me I will never get back. You were my partner and my best friend. I trusted you around my wife and children, but you took my life and for what? Brandi never loved you.”

Rodney glared up at him. “You’re making this up!”

“How else would I know what you did? That you shot that man, took his gun, and shot me; how you plotted and drugged Brandi the night of your supposed engagement; what you did to little Tina Reed. It’s time to pay the piper, and I’ve come to collect.” Mason let his rage take over and kicked Rodney in the face.

Rodney went out like a light.

Mason tried to kick him again, but once again something was holding him back.

“He’s out,” Paul said in his ear.

Brandi ran over to Mason and fell into his arms, bursting into loud sobs. He held her tightly, petting her. “Shh. It’s over.”

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