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"Allow me to make myself abundantly clear. Come near me or mine again, and you'll learn exactly why my business rivals cower at the mere mention of my name."
Kathryn's turquoise eyes blaze with icy warning, her slender frame vibrating with barely repressed fury as she faces down her ex. I have to tamp down the answering primal satisfaction unfurling within me at her unbridled protectiveness.
Brody seems to finally comprehend the cesspool he has stepped into, bravado withering beneath Kathryn's display. "Kathy, come on, don't be like that," he cajoles weakly, though his posture remains poised for rapid flight.
Kathryn simply arches one perfectly sculpted brow. "I believe you've worn out your welcome. Or do you require more...forceful persuasion?"
The elegant threat in her tone sends anticipatory shivers down my spine. Intoxicating flashes of how else we might persuade this gnawing pest if he fails to heed wisdom flicker through my mind.
Behind me, I hear Wilder's knuckles crack, ever ready to jump into fray. Emrys prowls closer, primal shadows swirling in his green and golden stare. But Kathryn needs no defending, her crystalline eyes alone slashing sharper than any blade.
Brody's Adam's apple bobs nervously, his smarmy mask stripped away to reveal the coward lurking beneath. Still, he attempts one parting shot, like the scorpion who cannot resist trying to sting even as the waters rise.
"Your boys here are wound tighter than you, Kathy. All that bottled up rage can't be healthy." He shakes his head in mock sorrow. "You might want to keep them on a short leash. Could get messy."
Kathryn steps closer, sandals clicking on the polished floor like a hammer driving the final nail into a coffin. Her lips curve in a smile that is both terrifying and utterly arousing.
"Oh I intend to keep them on a leash among other things. But you need not worry yourself about our...proclivities." Even I suppress a shudder at the silken promise dripping from her words. Brody visibly blanches.
Check and mate.
Sensing his lack of options, Brody sneers once more in disgust before tucking tail and practically jogging from the room as Kathryn watches him flee with sharp satisfaction.
Then she turns to me, ice melting to warmth in her mesmerizing gaze. "You didn't have to defend my honor, but I appreciate the impulse." Her fingertips trail down my arm like a brand, igniting sparks beneath my skin.
I trap her wandering fingers in my own, rubbing my thumb over her knuckles. "Trust me, the pleasure was all mine."
Kathryn's lips part slightly at the contact, color rising beautifully on her cheeks. I search her sea glass eyes, seeing a vulnerability and longing that mirrors my own.
We’re going to have to tell her everything we decided. And soon.
Chapter 39
As I'm wandering back through the resort after one last bridesmaid brunch–where I managed to update Annabelle with everything that happened since yesterday–loud voices reach my ears. I freeze as I recognize the antagonistic tone of Brody’s whiny voice. Rounding the corner, fury infuses my veins at the sight of him spewing insults and smarm at my guys.
Wyatt and Emrys vibrate with aggression but somehow manage to maintain their composure. Wilder, however, looks like he’s ready to lunge across the table and throttle Brody. I stride forward, icy rage crystallizing in my veins.
Nobody fucks with what's mine.
"You heard the man. Time for you to go," I state sharply, moving to stand behind the vile worm spewing vitriol at my men.
Brody whirls in my direction and attempts to downplay the confrontation with an oily grin. "Kathy, baby! We were just having a friendly chat. Weren't we, boys?"
I have to suppress an eye roll at his pathetic manipulation. Does he really think I don't see right through him? Beside me, Wyatt practically vibrates with restrained fury.
"Allow me to make myself abundantly clear. Come near me or mine again, and you'll learn exactly why my business rivals cower at the mere mention of my name."
Brody finally registers my rising anger, his bullshit coming to a stop as he tries to shift gears. "Kathy, come on, don't be like that," he cajoles weakly.
"I believe you've worn out your welcome. Or do you require more...forceful persuasion?" It’s the voice I use on shitty dates and people who wear out their welcome at my job. Hell, I used it on Baby-Face.
Behind me, I feel all three of my men step forward and straighten–Wilder even cracking his knuckles–as they back up my words. Their disdain for Brody is almost as deep as mine at this point.
"Your boys here are wound tighter than you, Kathy. All that bottled up rage can't be healthy." He tries his best to put on one of his manipulative shows. "You might want to keep them on a short leash. Could get messy."
I step closer, a fiery rage urging my movements. "Oh I intend to keep them on a leash among other things. But you need not worry yourself about our...proclivities." I don’t mean to throw our newly existent sex life in his face. It’s private. But at the same time, fuck him.
Brody pales at the salacious implication before finally slinking away in defeat. Pathetic worm. I watch his retreating back for a moment before turning to my men.
