The truck’s engine turns off. Rowan gets out, his movements as smooth and sure as a panther, and slams the door shut.
He walks over, his gaze skating over me briefly before he pins his stare on Uncle Lyle and Steely.
When he stops by my side, I’m flooded with a weird combination of anxiety and relief.
I feel safer with him here.
But it’s not his job to protect me from these men.
The two sides assess each other. Rowan’s taller and more muscular, but his physical advantage is no match for the gun my godfather always carries tucked into his belt.
An ominous grin spreads over Uncle Lyle’s face. “What’s your name, fella?”
“Rowan Miller. And you are?” There's an undercurrent of steel in his tone.
“Lyle. This is Steely.”
“Can I help you gentlemen with something?”
Uncle Lyle tilts his head, scrutinizing Rowan with a piercing gaze. “Blake and I were just catching up on old times. You treating my Blakey girl well?”
“He is, Uncle,” I say.
“You better treat her with care and respect, because you know you’re just borrowing her, right?”
Ice slithers down my veins.
Beside me, Rowan grows very still. “I intend on keeping her.”
Uncle Lyle's smirk falters for a moment. Like Brett, he’s not used to people holding their own around him.
I shoot a discreet glance at Rowan. He doesn’t look like himself. His normally relaxed demeanor has shifted to something far more intense. The lighthearted twinkle in his eye is gone, replaced by a cold, hard stare. His broad shoulders, usually casual and at ease, are now rigid with barely contained tension.
A shiver coasts down my spine.
When I look back at Uncle Lyle, even his expression is a bit unsettled.
But he laughs it off. “You hear that, Steely?”
“Yeah,” Steely drawls. “You’re new here, aren’t ya?”
Rowan’s jaw firms. “I guess I am.”
“Then we can’t hold your ignorance about the way things work around here against ya.” There’s a dark glint in Uncle Lyle’s eyes. “You’ll learn.”
A drop of sweat slides down my back. God, why didn’t Rowan drive home just a bit slower? I could have gotten rid of them.
I need to do something to deescalate the situation.
I inch myself in front of Rowan, hoping Uncle Lyle will think twice about hurting him if he’ll have to go through me. “Thank you for checking on me, Uncle. It was good to see you.”
Rowan’s hand appears on my shoulder. He tries to push me aside, but I plant my feet and refuse to move.
Leave. Please, just leave.
At last, Uncle Lyle takes a step toward his bike. “I’ll see you around, darlin’. Soon.”
I force a smile. “Stay safe.”
