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“That’s rich,” I bit out, suddenly angry “It’s okay for you to punch whoever you want for no Godda violent”

Brody leaned in close, our noses touching “He had it co”

“So did you! What possessed you act like such an asshole, Brody?”

“Like you’d believe me” His voice softened, as did his eyes

“Try me,” I replied, “because from what I saw, you hit him because you felt like it!”

He had the decency to look sheepish when he replied, “I thought he was…hurting you”

I snatched rasp and took afro its way to the surface

“Hurtingme!”

Soed and his expression beca I’d always been able to read hi back at me was blank, and I hated it More than I’d ever admit, even to myself

“Forgiveto protect you,” Brody sneered My kiss-induced haze had completely evaporated and only white-hot fury remained Who the hell did he think he was?

“You lost your right to protectat him “You walked away and it was Jeff as there when you weren’t!”

Brody’s face fell and for a briefwords back was enough to erase our past Nothing with Brody and I had ever been that easy

“I will never stop protecting you,” Brody ground out “God Himself couldn’t stop me”

“God ht not, but I sure as hell will!”

With that, I brushed past Brody and walked back into the house without a backwards glance I was upset, and I squeezedto spill I found everyone in the kitchen and when I walked in their gazes landed on me It made me uncomfortable, like I was under a microscope, and I immediately worried that they knehat Brody and I had been doing outside

Grayson had cleaned Jeff’s face, but he was still holding a dishcloth under his nose

“Are you okay?” I asked Jeff, feeling both concerned and embarrassed

“Yeah,” he replied “Did he leave?”

I looked down, and nodded, unable to look him in the eye I was afraid that my kiss with Brody ritten all over my face