Page 106 of Sinner's Sacrifice

Another step. “Because you judge people on their actions.”

Another step. “Because you push me to be a better man, a better...human being.”

He took one more step, now close enough for him to lower his voice, so the rest of the men couldn’t hear every word. “Because your touch drives me wild, and I can’t stop thinking about your amazing breasts.”

“What does all that mean?” she asked in a whisper, looking up at him.

He took in a breath and said the words he’d never said to any woman before, “I love you.”

Her lips quivered a little before she sucked in a breath and calmed herself. “Okay.” She nodded and allowed the hand with the knife in it to fall to her side. “Okay.”

That’s when one of the morons who wanted his Samantha shot him in the back.

He allowed the shot to push him forward slightly. Sam leapt for him, getting under him to stop him from planting his face on the pavement.

Shouts, more shots, and a lot of swearing centered behind him and to the left. Mason and Magnus, and the police were getting in the way of this desperate attempt to get him out of the way.

Good.

“Yvgeny,” Sam shouted with more than a little panic in her tone.

“I’m okay,” he wheezed out. There were too many witnesses to this little drama, and he didn’t want to make it seem like his not dying was miraculous or anything.

“What?” She ducked her head to look at him. “But—”

“I’m wearing a ballistic vest.”

“Oh, thank God,” she muttered.

He put his hands around her as if she were the only thing holding him upright, and put his lips next to her ear. “Don’t trust anyone.” He slid a small utility knife into her hand. “Defend yourself if you have to.”

She froze for one long second before closing her fingers around the knife. “No one?”

Who could she trust? “Baz, Nika.” He couldn’t think of anyone else. His aunt and Brian had divided loyalties. Mason and Magnus... “Mason and Magnus to a certain degree.”

“I think the smartest thing we could do, is to stay together,” she whispered back.

The relief and pleasure that rolled through him at her words could have cured any wound. “You...trust me?”

Her arms tightened on him. “You...love me?”

He gathered her closer in answer and got his feet under him so he could take his weight off her completely.

Movement behind Sam had him pulling her backward with him a couple of steps.

A police officer. Not one he recognized.

“Ma’am,” the uniform began. “Are you injured?”

“No,” she barked, then caught herself and repeated, “No, nothing that needs medical attention.”

He stepped toward her, his hand outstretched. “Come with me. We’ll take you somewhere safe so you can tell us what happened.”

“I’m staying with my boyfriend,” she said, leaning into Yvgeny.

The cop blinked in surprise. Then examined Yvgeny with more interest. “Weren’t you shot? How are you still on your feet?”

Sam heaved a dramatic sigh and rolled her eyes. “He’s wearing body armor, of course. Also, I’ll give my statement to one of the task force members.”

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