Untouchable (Untouchables, #1)

by Sam Mariano

“I wasn’t born this way,” he assures me. “I used to be more normal, then I realized the world sucks, everyone in it sucks, and I needed to toughen up and look out for myself, because no one else is gonna look out for me. Can’t be a sociopath, because they’re born, not made. My brain wasn’t wired this way.” That’s the most revealing thing he has ever said to me. “You rewired it. That’s a lot of work. Why?” “Doesn’t matter. The point is, I protect myself and my own interests. You’re one of my interests. You’re safe. I want you; I’m not going to hurt you. If I just wanted some dopey doormat I could cheat on, I could find one, easily. That’s not what I want, and I’d never try to turn you into one. I only cut down people I don’t like or don’t give a shit about. You don’t fall into either category.” Cracking a smile as I look up at him, I tease, “You saying you care about me, Mahoney?” Picking up the teasing gauntlet while imprisoning me with his body, he says, “Maybe a little bit.”