Page 3 of Jagged Burn
Relief and trepidation hit me at the same time.I knew the moment I called him he would come for me.All I wanted to do was get away from Sam.So much that I didn’t consider the ramifications of my actions.How will he react when he sees me?How will I explain the fact that I have been in town for almost a month, and I haven’t even sent him a text?
Fuck, fuck, fuckitty, fuck.This is going to be bad.
“Anna?”
“I’m coming,” I say softly.
It takes me a moment to lift my bruised body and trampled ego off the tile floor before I make my way to the door.I thought this was the best thing, calling my big brother, but I think I made a mistake.One I can’t take back now.
I unlock the door and pull down on the lever handle, allowing it to swing back.The moment he sees me, visible rage courses through him and I know I only have a split-second to say something before everything goes to hell.
“Can we leave, please?”
A tear tracks down my cheek and all I want to do is fall into my brother’s arms, but I stay standing.He isn’t having any of that, though, and scoops me up.Well, at least if he has to hold me, he won’t be able to get physical with Sam.
That thought only lasts a moment as I feel my weight being passed over to someone else.
“Jesus, Annie,” a low voice says above me, and my entire body stiffens.
Not him.Anyone but him.
Chapter Three
Violence Begets Violence
Stefan Grey
The moment Matt hands Anna over to me, I know he is going to kill this asshole.Not that I would shed a single fucking tear, but he is my friend, and I will need to watch his back.I walk quickly across the perfectly groomed lawn toward my truck where I open the back door and place a clearly injured Anna.
I want to take my time and look her over, but right now I need to make sure her brother doesn’t end up fired, or in prison.
“Please stop him.”Those are the first words out of her mouth even as she diverts her gaze, looking anywhere but at me.
My chest tightens, knowing she can’t stand the sight of me.I always thought the fact that we had all but grown up together would ensure she would be the least judgemental of my altered appearance, but clearly, I was wrong.
“Stay here,” I say gruffly.“I’ll get Matt and then we’ll drive you to the ER.”
