Page 6 of Chasing Lynda

I can’t see her features that well in these shitty eco-lights but she looks young.

And if I have to judge by the way she’s crying, they aren’t just playing and whatever is going on between them is anything but consensual.

I look at my brothers and I don’t even have to say anything as we silently make our way around the corner, approaching the other group.

I exchange a look with Zane and when I look at Bennett he nods. The last remnants of my buzz evaporate as I speak, looking at the one who has his hands on the woman. “What the fuck is going on here? This part of the beach is private property and you’re fucking trespassing, asshole!”

The guy doesn’t even look at me, keeping his eyes fixed on the crying girl.

Big, big mistake.

There’s five of them and four of us but we’re all athletes in peak physical condition—ok, maybe if you don’t count my bad shoulder, but I could rearrange this asshole’s features using just my left arm.

Bennett steps forward. “Did you hear what my friend just said, motherfucker? You’re on our beach and I’m pretty sure the girl doesn’t want you here anymore than I do. Let her go and walk away now, if you want to walk away on your own two legs.”

“Piss off, bastards! This bitch ate our food and drank our beer and she must’ve thought it was free.”

Second huge mistake. He should’ve walked away the second Bennett gave him a chance.

I’ve had the shittiest week of my life and I don’t feel inclined to give him a second chance.

I launch myself at him, fist ready to hit his jaw before the bastard even has the chance to understand what happened.

He instinctively lets go of the girl’s hair and I step in front of him nailing him straight on the nose with another blow.

My knuckles hurt like hell but it isn’t like I need to be careful with my hands anymore, right? I doubt I’ll ever throw another football.

So I jump on the stupid asshole when he crumbles to the ground, holding him still with my bad hand and hitting his face again and again. The satisfying crunch of bone against bone makes me feel better than I have in weeks.

His asshole friends try to scatter, followed by Carter and Bennett who make sure to chase them away, while Zane approaches the girl.

He murmurs something comforting to her but the young woman is fast to scramble back onto her feet. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’m going. I didn’t know this place was private. I swear.”

I stop hitting her attacker who’s just whining in pain underneath me and I keep him still by straddling his hips with my knees. “Hey, don’t worry, we just wanted to help—”

She doesn’t give me the chance to finish. She runs away from us toward the part of the beach equipped with umbrellas and cabanas, quickly disappearing out of sight.

I stand up, favoring my now bruised knuckles but welcoming the pain for once. “Carter call security, will you? Ask them to come take out the trash.”

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