Page 54 of God of War

"Who are you?" he asks Michael while I work, plucking at the knots with trembling fingers.

"Already told you my name is Kincaid."

Naz nods and then falls silent, waiting patiently for me to get him untied.

"I'm guessing you don't want me to call the cops?" Michael ask him as the damn ropes fall from his wrists.

Naz smirks, a vicious, deadly smile, rising gracefully to his feet. If it bothers him that he's naked, he doesn't show it. Then again, I doubt it bothers him. He's arrogant, cocky. Perfect.

I watch in silence as he yanks Nicolas to his feet with a hand around his throat. He doesn't say a word to him. I don't think he has anything left to say to him. All that's left now is pain and retribution. He drives his other fist into his face twice in rapid succession, brutal, vicious, without mercy, and then drops him to the ground like he's a useless piece of trash.

"Gun, please," he says, hand extended toward Michael.

"Nah, I think I'm good holding onto it," Michael says, shaking his head. There's a weariness in his eyes that I recognize a little too well. I think he's seen enough bloodshed, enough pain.

Naz shrugs like it doesn't matter to him if Michael keeps the gun or not, and grabs the rope I just freed him from. Nicolas doesn't try to fight as Naz ties him up, yanking the ropes so tight they cut off his circulation. He doesn't make a sound, doesn't even move. He just stares blankly at the floor, like he knows his life is over. He rolled the dice and lost, and he isn't the type to beg. Snakes never do.

"You know Rojas will win this war, príncipe," he says only when Naz has him tied up. "He'll send others to finish the job."

"Then let them come," Naz says, his voice lethally soft. "I'll kill every motherfucker he sends my way. Starting with you."

I cry out, startled when Naz backhands him across the face so hard he tumbles sideways. His head cracks against the side of the dresser hard and he goes limp.

Naz watches, vicious satisfaction blazing in his eyes, and then turns to me, holding out his hand. "Come here,mi cielito."

I don't move for a moment though. I can't because I'm not looking at Naz. I'm not looking at Nazario, either. This is the monster—the man his people callDios de la Guerra. This is their God of War.And I've never met him before now.

He's been locked away, caged by the man who loves me. But the one who tried to hurt me just set him free. And he's capable of unspeakable acts.

"I will never hurt you, Brynna," he murmurs, his voice soft. "My life before yours. You will always be safe with me. Remember my promise, little one?"

But even the god of war has a soul. Even the monster knows love. And even in the midst of his rage, he needs me.

Tears spill down my cheeks as I fling myself at him. He catches me against his chest, engulfing me in his arms. His eyes drift closed.

"She's safe," he breathes, talking to God, to the universe…to fate. "Thank God, she's safe."

Sobs wrack my body as I cling to him, trying to press myself into his skin, to remind us both that we're still standing. That, somehow, we survived this.

"Wait," Naz says, and I lift my head to see Michael inching toward the door.

He stops, glancing back at us.

"Who are you?" Naz asks him again.

"I told you my name is Kincaid," Michael mutters, frustration seething in his tone, as if he doesn't understand why Naz won't just let it go. But he doesn't know this man the way I do.

"Your first name?"

Michael hesitates.

"You saved Brynna," Naz murmurs. "I'd like to know who to thank for that."

"Michael."

"Michael Kincaid." Naz nods as he repeats the name, committing it to memory. "Why are you here, Michael Kincaid? Who do you work for?"

"I don't work for anyone. I'm just trying to get the hell out of this city," Michael sighs. "My bike broke down outside. I came to use your phone to call a tow truck. Your door was open and she was screaming. Didn't like that much."

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