There’s a sickening crunch, and his nose flattens.
“Colby! Stop! Please!”
I’m too far gone to listen. I grab him by the collar and drag him outside. People are staring, and Hank is telling me to cool it, but I can hardly hear any of it. All I can think is, if this asshole gets his hands on her, I’m going to kill him.
I shove him into the middle of the street, and he falls flat on the pavement. Blood drips down his chin, and he wipes his nose on his sleeve.
“Stay the fuck away from her, you got that? If I ever see you near her again, I’ll end you. Do you understand?”
“You’ve fucked up, old man. She’s not yours. She’s always been mine, and one day, I’ll come for her. And when I do, you’d better be out of the way, or I’ll kill you myself.”
“Colby. Please. Just leave it. Let’s go.”
River’s voice cuts through the red haze, and I look over to see her standing a few feet away. Her eyes are red-rimmed and filled with tears, and Christ, it breaks my heart.
I let the guy go and walk toward her. “Come on, darlin’. Let’s get you out of here.”
I wrap an arm around her shoulders and usher her toward the truck. When we reach it, I open the passenger door and help her inside, and then I rush around to the driver’s side and jump behind the wheel.
“Put your seat belt on, River.”
Her hands are shaking, but she does as I ask. Once I hear the click, I start the truck and take off, tires squealing.
“You okay?”
“No.”
“You want to tell me who that guy is?”
“Not really.”
“That’s too bad. Because you’re going to tell me.”
“It doesn’t matter, Colby. He’s no one.”
“He’s not no one. That bastard put his hands on you.”
“And you broke his nose.”
“Damn right, I did.”
“What the hell is wrong with you? Why would you do something like that?”
“Because I saw that fear in your eyes, and I wasn’t going to let him hurt you. Not while I was around.”
“I was handling it. You had no right to get involved. He could press charges, Colby.”
“And I’ll tell him exactly where he can go. Now, are you going to tell me who that asshole is or not?”
River’s silent for a long time. When she finally speaks, her voice is a whisper. “He’s my ex-boyfriend.”
“The one you’re running from? Did he hurt you?”
“You already know the answer to that.”
“Tell me anyway.”
“Yes, okay? Yes. He hurt me. More than you could ever imagine.”
