Page 30 of Desperate Actions

Because tonight, I almost lost her.

Because if I’d been seconds slower, she could have been hurt, been taken, been fucking gone.

I don’t rein myself in this time.

I don’t hold back like I always do.

Not now.

Not this time.

I can’t.

I close the distance in three strides and grab her waist, hoisting her into my arms before she even realizes what’s happening.

“Sammy!”

She gasps, gripping my shoulders, her body molding to mine, warm, soft, perfect.

Watermelon andsugar—that’s what she smells like.

I shake my head once.

And without another word, I walk out of the club with her in my arms.

Chapter 8-Aella

My pulse is running wild.

Sammy Ramirez just picked me up and carried me out of the club in front of everyone we know.

I have no idea what to do.

No idea what this means.

He doesn’t speak.

He just holds me. His body is solid and unchallenged.

Like he has every right to do this.

Like he has every intention of keeping me right here.

He’s so close, so warm, that I can smell his cologne—spicy and deep, with hints of spice and something distinctly male.

Wow.

It’s incredible.

Heis incredible.

So protective. So hot.

I know this isn’t a normal response.

I know, logically, that he probably did something terrible to those men in the alley.

And I should care.

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