Page 36 of Reckless Hearts

Anything to wipe that look off Colt’s face.

His whole body jolts like I slapped him.

Without warning, he throws a punch, nearly missing my already broken nose.

Before I can think, I shove him back, rage boiling over.

He stumbles a step then comes at me.

That’s when Marco charges up the hall, fist cocked back like he’s about to end Colt right there.

Instinct takes over.

I grab Marco’s arm mid-swing, yanking him off-balance before he can land the hit.

“Who the fuck do you think you’re swinging at?” I snarl, voice low and lethal.

Marco’s mouth opens and closes uselessly.

“Fuck, man, I was just trying to help?—”

I shove his arm away, shoving him back a few feet.

“Didn’t fucking ask for your help,” I snap. “Whatever’s between me and Colt stays between us. Touch him again and you’ll wish a bull stomped your goddamn face in.”

Marco backs off fast, hands raised like I’m a live wire.

Colt stares at me, breathless, chest rising and falling.

“You just defended me?” he says, like he can’t believe it.

My pulse hammers in my throat.Shit.

Sanity starts to seep back in, leaving me raw and exposed.

What the hell was that?

I don’t have a good answer. Don’t want one.

I turn away, voice rough.

“Forget it.”

“Fuck you,” Colt snarls, then walks off down the hall, Marco following several few feet behind.

Grateful the locker room’s empty, I strip down, take a lightning-fast shower, and pull on clean clothes.

At least now I’m partially human.

Mind still racing, it turns to Callie.

I hadn’t seen her watching.

Hadn’t seen her face drain of color.

But the thought has me on edge.

And from the way she didn’t check in at the medics, I’d say she’s avoiding me.

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