Page 94 of Her Remarkable Protector

Damon strides toward me, arms open like I’m some long-lost friend. Before I can stop him, he pulls me into an embrace, the stench of him—cologne, sweat, power—sickening.

“It’s been too long,” he says smoothly.

I stand like a statue, my body rigid, my mind screaming for control. “Not long enough,” I reply.

Damon chuckles, his grip tightening as he pulls me closer. His breath brushes my ear. “Still so fiery. I’ve missed that.”

Behind him, Chase lifts his head, his face a mess of blood and defiance.

“Honor.” His voice is raw, broken. “I’m sorry.”

Damon climbs up a raised platform, only to plant a fist on Chase’s mouth. His massive frame sways, light catching on his chest and abs with each motion. It’s not just his sweat that glints, the fresh blood all around his body shines like thick glitter.

This was Chase’s nightmare. The thing he feared most when he was just sixteen. Being sliced alive. Fast forward to now, no matter how much he’s grown, no matter how strong he’s become—how much can one man take?

Mangled, hopeless. Can I blame him if he gave me up? But then again, giving me up is one thing. Giving up Oakley and Laramie? That’s a new kind of pathetic.

Damon’s gaze shifts toward the staircase, his expression expectant. “Where’s Patch?”

“I killed him,” I say flatly.

His face whitens, just for a moment, before he smooths it over with an air of forced calm. “Well, there’s no shortage of men who’d kill to take his place.”

“Why don’t you leave it to just us?” I glance at the guards circling us.

Damon narrows his eyes but motions to them. “Back to your posts. Now.”

The guards hesitate but obey.

“Wait!” Damon instructs. “Tommy, you stay.” He motions Tommy to stand by Chase.

Of course. He has picked his most loyal lapdog, tongue out and ready for orders. Tommy would do absolutely anything for Damon. Unlike Patch and the others, he wouldn’t hesitate to hurt or eliminate me. I just need to convince Damon I’m not worth the trouble—or the bullet.

I turn to Damon. “You know I won’t give up Oakley or my baby. But I didn’t come here for you.” I tip my chin toward Chase. “I’m here to finish him off.”

Chase’s head jerks up. His eyes are wide with disbelief, then fade as grimace takes over. The man’s too broken to form words.

“How dare you, Chase?” I tremble.

“Smart girl,” Damon praises, a slow, amused smile curling his lips.

I shift my jacket aside, letting Damon see the Colt tucked at my waistband.

Tommy swings his gun toward me in an instant.

“Easy, Tommy!” I say. “The only man I’m here to shoot is him.” I nod at Chase again.

Damon’s attention darts between me and Tommy.

“You still need me, Damon,” I say, my tone steady. “Patch might’ve found me, but he didn’t find the kids. They’ve moved. They’re gone. You won’t find them unless I tell you where.”

Damon doesn’t move, studying me intently.

“Take my word for it,” I warn.

At last, he signals Tommy to lower his gun. A dry chuckle escapes him, the kind that barely hides his irritation. “Honey, how the hell did you sneak that in here?”

“This Colt?” I say nonchalantly. It’s the Circle’s weapon of choice. “Tommy got a little too close. A Stoneborn always carries a second weapon behind their jacket. Right?”

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