Page 73 of Sin Bin Bully

"Come out and face me, you coward!" Matthew's voice carries across the driveway.

I can't help but chuckle. This little pissant thinks he can take me on? In my own home? The audacity is almost admirable.

"What's wrong, Matthew? Upset I ruined your side hustle?" I taunt, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

A bullet whizzes past, too close for comfort. I hear footsteps approaching from the left. One of Matthew's goons, no doubt. Amateur hour.

I wait, timing it just right. As soon as I see a shadow, I spring into action. My fist connects with his jaw, a satisfying crunch echoing in the night air. He drops like a sack of potatoes.

"That the best you got?" I call out, grabbing the fallen man's gun.

Matthew's response is another volley of shots. Glass shatters somewhere to my right. Great. Now I'll have to replace those windows.

I spot movement near the hedges. Another of Matthew's men trying to flank me. Not today, buddy. I take aim and fire. He goes down with a yelp.

"Two down, Matthew. How many more you got?" I taunt, unable to keep the grin off my face.

This is almost fun. The thrill of the fight, the knowledge that I'm in control. It's intoxicating.

"I'm going to end you, Warwick!" Matthew screams, his voice cracking with rage.

I laugh, loud and mocking. "You couldn't even pass me the puck on the ice. Couldn't stop me from beating the shit out of you. What makes you think you can take me now?"

My security team is also nearby, taking out Matthew's remaining goons with practiced efficiency. Gunshots echo through the night, but I barely register them. My focus narrows to one thing: Matthew.

"He's mine," I growl, signaling my men to back off.

I spring up from behind my Aston, adrenaline coursing through my veins. Matthew's eyes widen as I advance, his gun wavering.

"Not so tough now, are you?" I taunt, my lips curling into a sneer. "Thought you could come to my house and play gangster? Amateur hour, Matthew. You couldn't even frame me properly."

Matthew's face contorts with rage. "Fuck you, Warwick! You ruined everything!"

I laugh, the sound cold and mocking. "You ruined yourself, you pathetic piece of-"

Something changes in Matthew's expression. His eyes dart to the side, focusing on something behind me. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

I whirl around, my heart stopping as I see Kim standing there, framed by the light of my mansion. She's wearing her dress, her hair still wild around her face. She looks beautiful, ethereal... and completely vulnerable.

Time slows to a crawl. I see Matthew's grin in my peripheral vision, see his arm lifting, the gun barrel swinging towards Kim.

"No!" The word tears from my throat as I lunge forward.

My body moves on pure instinct. I reach Kim just as the deafening crack of gunfire splits the air. I wrap my arms around her, shielding her with my body as we tumble to the ground.

Pain explodes through my shoulder, hot and sharp. The bullet tears into me, a searing agony that threatens to overwhelm my senses. But all I can think about is Kim.

"Are you okay?" I gasp, my voice rough with pain and fear. "Kim, talk to me."

Her eyes are wide with shock, her hands trembling as they press against my chest. "Sam... oh God, Sam, you're bleeding!"

I grit my teeth against the pain, forcing a smirk. "It's nothing, little dancer. Just a scratch."

The world spins as Kim drags me slowly behind a nearby bush. Pain lances through my shoulder with each movement, but I grit my teeth, refusing to show weakness.

"Sam, we need to get you inside," Kim urges, her voice tight with worry.

I shake my head, adrenaline still coursing through my veins. "Not yet. Matthew's still out there."

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