Page 40

(Cyrus)

As I watched Ainsleyleave and disappear down a long hall, a throat clearing forced my head back around.

I found Sammy and Cheesy both staring back at me. “What?”

Cheesy shook his head. “No issues from me, man. You’re bigger than me. We’re cool,” he said quickly.

“You’re bigger than me too but I don’t give a shit about that. What’s going on with you and her?” Sammy demanded, like it was any of his business.

“I like her if you must know, brother.” I lifted my hand before he could speak. “I love you but right now, you’re being a fucker. Whatever happens between Ainsley and me, stays between us.”

Sammy’s frown deepened, something flashing behind his eyes. “Cheesy, you got somewhere to be, don’t you?” he asked him, not taking his eyes off of me.

“Yeah. I’ll go see if Ainsley needs help,” Cheesy muttered, heading down the same hall Ainsley had.

“What the fuck is your deal, Sam?” I asked him once we were alone.

Instead of answering me, he left the building and headed toward the SUV. He lit up a smoke, the spicy scent hitting my nose as I followed him. Every cell in my body told me to turn around and go to Ainsley. Not to talk but to just be with her. To be around her. She had an air about her that calmed me. I understood why she was placed at the front. Victims could see her first and would find that sense of calm they needed. It made me wonder if she ever had that for herself. Not that I knew her whole history, but I wasn’t stupid. She didn’t stop speaking just for the hell of it. Something happened. I would make it my personal goal to earn her trust enough that she could share that piece of herself with me. To let me into her darkness. To be the light she needed.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Sammy went up to the SUV and pulled open the passenger door when I slammed it closed.

“Talk to me,” I demanded.

He took a puff of his cigarette and let out the smoke slowly, blowing it in my face.

My jaw clenched, a sharp pain shooting up the sides of my cheeks. “If you weren’t my brother, I’d have you on the ground already.”

“You wouldn’t do that shit here.” Sammy chuckled. “You wouldn’t want your precious little girlfriend to see that side of you.”

I took a step closer to him until we were nose to nose. “Try me.”

His eyes widened a bit.

I had a good twenty-five pounds on him. Even though he worked out as much as I did, he could never gain the muscle I could. I often used it to my advantage, especially when he was being a shithead.

“Try me, Sammy.” I waited for him to respond. When he didn’t, I continued, “You better keep those dirty looks to yourself and worry about your own personal life. Maybe I should approach Amber myself and tell her that she deserves better.” It was a low blow, but he was pissing me off and I’d had enough of his shit.

Sammy lifted his chin, sticking the smoke back between his lips. “Do what you want, Cyrus. Anything you say won’t stop her from craving my dick.”

“Why the hell are you so damn crude when it comes to the woman you clearly have feelings for?” I was all for dirty talk and telling my partners exactly what I wanted and how I wanted it but Sammy...he took it to a whole other level.