161 An Anchor Made of Light

"You did well," Steve assured Martin, and he himself felt ashamed. "I wouldn't want you to have to look at me when I'm so mad again. You would have to be shocked and scared. "

"Not a bit," Martin assured, and there was such certainty in his eyes that Paxton did not think it might be plain, empty bravado. "I'm not afraid of you at all. My only concern is that when you get a little too far, you'll regret it later. I don't want you to blame yourself for actually breaking his jaw and nose. "

"You think too well of me," Steve replied, trying to hide his smug smile.

"Not at all," assured Martin. "It is you who still hold too low an opinion of yourself. You are a very good person and you would surely regret it if you did real harm to someone. You may seem tough… I mean, you are tough," Martin corrected immediately, "but you have a good, sensitive heart. Such ... tough guy with a good heart."