“I don’t know why Red kept you a secret, and while it’s clear she’s into you—”
My brain notes that part a bit too prominently.
“—I am also here to protect her heart. If you do anything to hurt her, I’ll do what Rap said and even worse. Especially after. . .” Goldie’s mouth snaps shut quicker than a nun’s legs.
My toe finds the door and shuts it behind us. I tower over the short blonde. “After what?”
Regret fills her eyes as she knows she’s made a mistake. She bites a bright pink lip, and I can see her brain racing to find a way out of this situation.
“Tell me, Goldie. Who hurt Red?” I try to sound soothing, to talk to her in a coaxing croon. But underneath my charm, something boils. Anger. Someone hurt the girl out behind the bar, and it makes me want to fang out.
Goldie covers her eyes. “Eff. She would kill me if I told you.”
Goldie is a good friend. Any man with an ounce of wolf blood in their system could recognize the fierce loyalty this girl has. Unfortunately for Goldie, her desire to share and protect overwhelms her ability to keep secrets.
Then I pull the lowest of low moves.
I gently pull her hand away from her face and say softly, “I don’t want to hurt her, Goldie. Tell me what happened so I can protect her heart too.”
Hope sparks in Goldie’s eyes.
I’m a goddamned dirty bastard.
“When I met her. . . Red was . . . shattered.”
Everything inside me stills.
“She won’t talk about her past. Maybe she’s shared more with you than with us, but I know she’s been beat down in her life. And the only part I know about is this one guy . . . ”
My hackles rise. “What guy?” The words come out on edge. The moment feels like glass, and I’m in danger of breaking it and ruining my chances of hearing more.
“Hunter. I think that’s his name.” Her nose wrinkles as she frowns. “Red was heartbroken. I don’t know what he did to her, but she was a ghost of the girl she is now.”
Who in faefucks is Hunter? And after I shake out of him what the fuck he did to Red, I’ll rip his head clear off.
Taking a step back, I let out a breath, cooling my temper.
The hell are you doing, wolf? You are here until Grandma contacts Red. That’s it. This Hunter is of no concern. Red’s life is of no concern.
“Which boxes do you need help with?” I ask, changing modes.
“Don’t tell her I told you,” Goldie pleads with her big brown eyes.
I shoot her a quick smile. “Of course not.”
Her shoulders sag in relief.
Goldie simply points at a pile of boxes. I grab them and go.
Tonight, I need to stay professional, aloof. But all I can think is, who is this Hunter and when can I rip out his throat?
Chapter19
Powder Keg
RED
If I thought Friday was a shit storm, Saturday is absolutely bonkers. The place is wall to wall packed. Despite Rap opening the skylight windows to let in a winter breeze, it’s sweltering. I've always run hot, so I wore an outfit to let much of my skin breathe, but I’m still sweating like crazy. It’s half the running back and forth, slinging bottles and drinks, but the other half has everything to do with Brexley prowling the edges of the bar.
