“He touched you,” Reed groans, dragging Mulligan toward the door like we’re not in the fanciest restaurant in town, surrounded by a room full of people that will be telling this story to every neighbor they have. “He shouldn’t be touching you.”
Good Lord, I should’ve known better than to ask this man for help.I’m never going to hear the end of this.
Mulligan’s eyes widen as though he’s being assaulted by King Kong. Truthfully, he may as well be. The size difference between the two men is stark. I’d be afraid if I were him too. Some big man, walking into the restaurant, yanking me up from the table… I’d meltdown immediately.
“Okay,” I press my hand against Reed’s solid chest as we step out onto the golden hued sidewalk, “he gets it. Put him down.”
“Who is this monkey?” Mulligan groans, flailing his long thin arms back and forth as though he’s trying to squirm free.
If I had to guess, I’d say Mulligan is in his late fifties. Old enough to have picked up a few fighting skills. This is sort of pathetic. Then again, I do tend to judge men a lot on whether they can handle themselves or not.
“I’m the guy that’s going to end your fucking life,” Reed grunts, dragging the man down the street like a rag doll, his biceps flexing as he moves his potential victim.
This should not turn me on.
I clear my throat and follow behind, begging him to let the man go, my heart pounding, my face flushing, my panties dampening with every step.
He weaves in and out of the busier than usual street where tourists are lined in front of nearly every restaurant and shop we have thanks to the lumberjack games. Most shop owners are in heaven right now with the influx of business.
And here we are, putting on a show!
“You’re making a scene!” I say, jogging up next to the giant. “Let him go! He gets it, right?” I glance toward Mulligan who’s given up the fight. “You get it?”
“No, actually. I don’t get it. Why are you doing this?”
Reed stops at the end of the street and laughs, straightening the man to a standing position, though his big, rough hands are still curled into his jacket. “You shouldn’t have touched her.”
“And you’re her keeper?” He glances back toward me as though I’m going to have an answer.
“Yeah,” Reed laughs. “Look at this guy. He’s a quick study.”
A family of four has stopped in the middle of the street, ice cream cones in hand while they stare. The oldest kid, a boy who I don’t recognize as local, holds up his cell phone, as though he’s capturing a bear attack in the wild.
“Please stop. You’re making a scene.”
“I’m not making a scene,” Reed growls, dragging the man toward the end of the street. “I’m teaching an asshole a lesson.”
This is the kind of stuff that makes folks think the mountains are chocked full of rednecks and hillbillies. Not the good kind with practical know-how, hardworking grit, and a loyalty like no other, although, I guess some could say this current act is an act of loyalty despite reading like barbaric impulse.
Finally, Reed’s fists release their grip as he shoves the man into the brick wall of the diner in one last act of mockery. “Leave.”
Mulligan brushes off his jacket as he backs away from the imposing giant whose broad shoulders are still coiled with tension.
Finally, he glances toward me. “The deal is off.”
Of course, the deal is off. Why wouldn’t it be?
“No, Mr. Mulligan. I apologize for my friend here. He thinks he’s helping but—”
Reeds hand grips mine. “It’s for the best.”
“What?” I twist back toward him. “Clint is going to lose it. You care what he thinks, right? And my dad… this is the biggest sale I’ve ever made. We’re set to make a huge return.”
“We… or him?” Reed stands firm and crosses his big, inked arms over his chest.
Oh my God. I roll my eyes and ignore him in favor of trying to save the deal I’ve just blown up, but Mulligan is long gone.
Can’t say I blame him.
