Page 15 of Amnesty

Using his foot against his shoulder, Eddie pushed him back down. He spoke low, so low I didn’t hear what it was.

Whatever it was definitely was effective.

“I’m sorry!” the man yelled.

Eddie stared at him a second longer, the tick in his jaw still strong, before relenting and stepping away.

Everyone within range of the scene was watching now, silent. Even Robbie, the guy who had a wisecrack for everything.

I couldn’t tear my eyes off Eddie. The power he exuded was unmatched. There was most definitely solid steel beneath his friendly, easygoing appearance.

When he was almost to my side, his eyes slipped to mine. The glittering blue shards softened, and a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. I felt my own eyes widen. He winked.

He winked at me. Went from killer to cuddly in two seconds flat.

I was still trying to recover when he reached my side. His arm slipped around my waist, holding me firmly, but without any force. “C’mon, baby, time to go.”

“We better not get banned,” Robbie cracked. “This is a tradition. Can’t mess with that.”

“We aren’t going to get banned,” Eddie retorted, his voice dry.

“It was just a paintball,” I said, still trying to catch up. “That’s what we were here to do.”

“Men who shoot women in the back are assholes,” Eddie declared. “He deserved what he got.”

Robbie made a sound of agreement.

After we stripped off all the gear, Eddie piled it in his arms and glanced at Robbie. “Stay here with Am. I’ll turn this in.”

The second Eddie walked off, I turned my full stare on his friend. “How come he never mentioned you?” I blurted out.

Surprise flickered across his face. Then he glanced in the direction Eddie went. I waved my hand in front of his face, drawing his attention once more.

“Maybe he didn’t want the competition.” Robbie wagged his eyebrows.

I rolled my eyes.

“A lot’s been going on.” His voice turned serious. “Maybe he thought it was too much too soon.”

I cut right to the chase. “You knew Sadie.”

“Yeah,” he said, glancing down at his shoes. “I knew her.”

“Do you think I’m her?” I asked.

His eyes widened. Once again, he looked back in the direction Eddie went. As though he were afraid to say too much.

I sighed and reminded him, “You almost called me by her name.”

Robbie cocked his head to the side. “So you don’t think you’re her?” He answered my question with his own.

I shrugged. “I’d like to get your opinion, you know, from someone who once knew her.”

Robbie stared at me for a moment. “You mean from someone who isn’t as biased as your boyfriend?”

It was my turn to shrug. “Maybe.”

“All right, I’ll play,” Robbie mused, his dark eyes settling on me. I felt them measure me in a way he hadn’t before. After a moment, he relented. “Could be.”

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