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The door slammed behind him, and he turned to find Asher standing by the entrance, scowling at him. He was wearing jeans and a T-shirt, black grease stains covering both. Dustin noticed that even though his arms and shoulders were still muscular, there was evidence of a beer gut.
“The fuck are you doing in my house?” he growled.
Before he could answer, Rylie came running out of the bedroom, breathing hard. “Hey, babe. Dustin just brought me by so I could change. We’re going to scout a couple of properties for a wedding and I forgot to pack my sneakers this morning. I almost broke my ankle in the heels I was wearing.”
Asher glowered at Rylie and Dustin bristled as he sneered. “You actually expect me to believe that?”
Dustin didn’t like all that anger directed at Rylie, who was pale and shaking. He moved between them, bringing Asher’s focus back on him. “Hey, man, it’s true. I just came in to use your bathroom.”
Asher stepped into him, and Dustin held his breath. The guy smelled like he’d bathed in a brewery and rolled in motor oil afterward. Was he day drinking when he was supposed to be working?
Classy.
“Was I talking to you, shithead?”
“Asher, stop it!” Rylie’s voice trembled. “We weren’t doing anything.”
Asher turned his bloodshot gaze on Rylie and stepped around Dustin toward her. “You think I’m stupid, Rys? I know this guy. What happened? He tell you you’re pretty and you just spread your legs—oof.”
Dustin hadn’t even realized he’d grabbed Asher until the other man was pressed up against the wall, Dustin’s arm across his throat. His whole body trembled with barely repressed rage as he said, “You don’t talk to her like that.”
Dustin hadn’t put his hands on another person in years; he preferred to handle disagreements without using his fists, afraid he’d lose control.
But for this douche canoe, he was about to make an exception.
Asher’s eyes popped out of his head as Dustin held him there. He wanted to drag Asher outside and teach him a lesson about bullying, but Rylie was tugging on his arm frantically, bringing him back to himself.
“Dustin, don’t! It’s okay. Put him down and let’s just go back to work.”
He turned in disbelief to look at her over his shoulder. “The hell I will! He’s out of line.”
“Please.”
Her shiny eyes cracked something in him and he let the prick go. As Asher bent over, sucking in air, Dustin stood over him.
“I’ll meet you at the car,” she said.
Every fiber in his body wanted to plant his feet and stay, but he just nodded. There was no convincing her to walk out; how many times had he tried that with his mom when his dad got violent?
It still shocked the hell out of him that Rylie would put up with this asshole though.
It’s none of my business. Just stay the hell out of it.
With a curt nod, he walked out the door.
Chapter 4
Rylie stared at the front door, wishing she could have just walked out with Dustin. To not have to deal with Asher right this second. But he’d made it impossible to ignore this. He’d threatened her coworker, insulted and embarrassed her.
This couldn’t wait.
“I’m going to kill that asshole,” Asher wheezed as he clutched his throat.
Rylie grit her teeth, wanting to tell him not to be an idiot, but it would only make him more belligerent. By the look and smell of him, he was drunk, and probably high. He’d gotten his medical marijuana card a few mon
ths ago to help with the back pain from his football injury and since then, it had become a daily habit.
“Have I ever given you any reason not to trust me?” she asked.
