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"Bray," the wo on? Who are these people?"

Leaving the man to Armie, Denver approached the woman, hand extended "I’m Denver Lewis, ma’am And that’s rownwith boys?" the man asked

"We’re frohters," she breathed, horrified "Russell, they’re trained fighters!"

Huh That changed Russell’s attitude real quick

The unholy smile disappeared under a cautious frown He shifted his heavy gaze away and glared at Bray "Get your ass back in the house"

"I don’t think so," Armie said before Bray could reply one way or the other

"This ain’t got nothing to do with you!" Russell reached for Bray

Ar his tone calm but firm, he asked, "You’re his father?"

Bray snorted "No"

Thefor Bray "You better watch that smart mouth, boy!"

Armie stepped hi the big bully too far, because he threild hay a lunch box–sized fist toward Armie’s face

With practiced ease Armie lifted his forearm to block the blow, then delivered one short jab to the , Russell bent double

The wo for her son, i for the bully

"Russell? Oh ed hiave her a shove, but she scrarave; vu for Armie The hairs on the back of his neck lifted Every muscle in his body twitched

The woman had her own bruises, but she fawned over the usted, Ar away

Daot this?" he asked Denver

Denver blinked "Uh, sure"

In a jog, Arht up, he didn’t touch hi?"

Bray rolled a shoulder, kept his head down and dogged on

"He’s your stepfather?"

"He’s nothing" Then, reluctantly, Bray added, "Her boyfriend, I guess I don’t know"

"She’s your

"Can we stop to talk a minute?"

Bray hunched his shoulders more "No point"

Shit Armie stepped around in front of the boy "Please"

With a aze and waited

Deciding to just get through it, Ar?"

"Couple of months"

"He’s hit you? Before today?"