“Looks like it concerns Indie,” I say, my gaze locking with hers. She’s holding her ground, but I see the tension in her shoulders, the way her hands curl into fists. “And if it concerns her, it concerns me.”
Chad laughs, but it’s brittle. “Oh, I get it. She’s slumming it. That’s cute.”
“Careful,” I warn, stepping closer. “You’re on my mountain now.”
He smirks, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “Your mountain? How quaint. Indie, let’s go. You’ve had your fun.”
Indie shakes her head, but I see tears hovering behind her eyelids. “King is my boyfriend–”
My eyes widen a moment before I sling an arm over her shoulder and pull her into me protectively. “Fiancé–actually.”
Indie’s eyes flicker with surprise before she curls a little deeper into me, her fingers tangling in the hem of my flannel.
Chad’s eyes flare with anger. “You’re mine, Indie. We had a wedding planned–you fucking left on our wedding day.”
Chad’s teeth grit together before he grabs her arm, and that’s when everything slows. I see the way she jerks back, the fear flashing in her eyes, and it’s like a switch flips.
“Touch her and die,” I say, my voice cold as the snow outside.
Chad doesn’t listen. He pulls her toward the door, Indie resisting the entire way. That’s when I move.
They’re half way across the parking lot, so I loosen Copper from the post where I tied her and swing into the saddle in one fluid motion.
Chad’s trying to shove Indie into his car when I charge across the lot, Copper’s hooves pounding against the pavement like thunder. Chad looks up, his face going pale as I bear down on him.
“Hands off her!” I bellow, and the force of it makes him stumble back. I swing my rope in the air and in one motion loop it around his form, yanking him away from Indie and against Copper’s flank.
Indie scrambles away, her wide eyes locking with mine for a split second before I focus on the city boy. I dismount, hitting the ground hard enough to send a jolt through my legs.
He straightens, trying to recover his dignity. “Who the hell do you think you are?”
“I’m the man who’s about to make you regret coming here,” I say, stalking toward him.
He throws a punch, wild and sloppy, and I sidestep it easily. My fist connects with his jaw, and the satisfying crack echoes across the lot. He stumbles back, clutching his face, but I’m not done.
“You think you can just waltz in here and take what you want?” I growl, grabbing him by the collar. “You don’t own her. You don’t own shit.”
He tries to swing again, but I block it, landing another punch to his pretty face, a gush of blood releasing from his nose, and then I land another punch to his gut. He doubles over, gasping for air, dropping to the pavement in a useless heap.
“Get the hell out of Copper Mountain,” I say, my voice like steel. “And don’t you ever come near her again.”
He glares at me, his face red and bloodied, but he knows he’s lost. He crawls into his car, shouting for his driver to get him the hell out of here. The car peels out of the lot, leaving a trail of dust behind it.
I turn to find Indie standing there, her arms wrapped around herself. Her eyes are wide, her lips parted, and for a moment, neither of us says anything.
“You okay?” I ask, my voice softer now.
She nods, but I can see the tremble in her hands. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“Yeah, I did,” I say, stepping closer. “Nobody messes with you, Indie. Not on my watch.”
Her gaze meets mine, and there’s something there—something raw and unguarded that makes my chest tighten. “Why?” she whispers. “Why do you care so much?”
Because you’re mine, I want to say. Because the thought of anyone hurting you makes me see red. But I don’t. Instead, I reach out, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
“Because you’re worth it,” I say simply. “And a man’s got to fight for what he believes in every now and again to prove he’s worth his salt.” I smile, dropping a kiss on the top of her head.
“I feel like I’ve been claimed,” she giggles.
