Page 98 of Allegiant

My lips pull tight. I don’t like that Samson’s safe place is so small. He needs something bigger. More open. Where he can be free…

An idea starts to percolate in the back of my mind.

Harley smirks at his brother. “Yeah, go to your shed. You need the practice.”

Samson’s cheeks flush, his fist balled at his side. But before he can open his mouth to retort, I jump in. “He’s doing really well, actually. And he’s passionate about it. He shouldn’t have to hide what he loves. At least he’s being brave in letting people know how he feels now. I know not everyone in this room is able to do that.”

Given that it’s just me, Harley, and Samson, he knows who I’m talking about.

Harley turns red, his gaze dropping to the floor. I should feel bad over my dig about him and Jules, but I don’t. Not when he seems determined to mock Samson.

Samson’s staring at me intently, something dark and wanting in those depths.

I clear my throat, lifting my chin high. “I’m sorry to be rude about it, but you’ve all made him feel bad long enough, and if I hear it, I will stop it. It’s not okay, and Samson deserves better.”

Harley gapes at me in shock. Approval flashes through his eyes, followed quickly by shame. Then he turns toward Samson and nods his head. “Fuck, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were so passionate about it. I thought you just liked to…I dunno, throw axes through the air like a wildling.” He stops and runs a hand through his hair before continuing. “But I guess it makes sense. Wylder always did say Mom danced the most with you.”

“Yeah. She did. I’m not any good⁠—”

“Samson Buckingham,” I begin, facing him with my hands on my hips, “so help me, I will also stop you from disparaging all your hard work and what you desperately love.”

He glowers at me, but I see the way his chest puffs up slightly, the flex in his bicep as he tries to reel Nugget in. It doesn’t work, so he just sets him down and Nugget begins sniffing along the floorboards—in search of food, no doubt.

I glare between the two of them. “Now apologize. Both of you.”

Harley looks at his older brother and looks sheepish. “Sorry for making fun of what you love.”

Samson grumbles at the words, but I see the way they affect him, how they sit in his chest and make it expand in relief.

“And you, Samson, you apologize too.”

“To who?”

“Yourself.”

Samson snorts. “Not fucking doing that.”

I begin to tell him that he must, but he cuts me off, a hand to my waist, pulling me into his chest. He smells so fucking good, like soap and a little bit of me. His lips come down against mine, and he kisses me roughly. A promise, an apology.

When he finally pulls away, I’m left reeling.

“You guys have fun training that demon dog. I’ll be in my fucking shed.” Then he kisses me once more, leaving my lips slightly swollen. “You can come visit if you want. I’ll leave the door unlocked.”

He flips Harley off as he makes his way out of the kitchen, and I let out a soft, disbelieving laugh. “Oh.”

“Yeah, oh. Never seen him like this with anyone.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, really. And never seen anyone defend him like that. I am sorry though. I guess I never really realized how much he loved it. I’ll have to tell my brothers about it.”

“Or I can. I can totally do that.”

“Yeah. We’ll set them straight. Together.”

We grin at each other, and for better or worse, I know I have a friend in Harley.

The moment is broken when I see Nugget shake a throw pillow violently. I curse and lunge for it. It only makes Nugget run away, the pillow dragging on the floor. He nearly trips over it, his short little legs trying desperately to maneuver around the large thing. The two of them disappear out of the door as Nugget makes a break for freedom.