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“You’re not bad, are you, girl?”
Just as I go for another swipe, I hear a strained voice.
“I said leave me alone.”
My foot propels me off the wall. Every muscle in my body grows taut as I round the corner. That fucking trucker Dan corners Evie against the building. He doesn’t touch her, but her body language clearly communicates he’s invading her personal space.
I’m not the only one who takes notice. Ghost releases a vicious-sounding snarl and snap. Dan’s gaze flicks from Evie’s breasts to the dog on the strained leash. He retreats a hasty step out of self-preservation.
Hell yeah, she-demon.
Before I can utter a word, Evie pulls out a wicked-looking sharp knife from Lord only knows where and thrusts it in the vacant space between them.
“Between this knife and my dog, you won’t have any hands left if you come at me like that again.”
“Fucking crazy bitch,” he spits and retreats another step when Ghost lunges again.
“Speak to her like that again, and this leash is out of my hands.”
Another step, another recoil. I nearly laugh that he’s too scared to turn his back.
“Thanks,” Evie mutters once Dan’s out of earshot.
At the sound of her voice, Ghost ceases pulling. While keeping one eye on Dan, I give her my attention and notice how fast she’s breathing.
“You okay?”
“Yeah. Thanks.” Her fingers flex on the knife’s handle before she easily stows it away.
I cautiously step closer, afraid she’s going to drop or bolt. “You already said that, Rosie. I don’t know what for. You handled him like a badass.”
She nods, but when she turns her wild eyes to me, it’s clear she’s not processing this well.
“Fuck. Come here.”
She doesn’t hesitate to let me fold her in my arms. The breeze flitters in the space between our bodies, bringing the sundown chill, and I wrap her tighter. She cinches the back of my athletic fitted hoodie in tight, juddering fists. With my glare pinned on the truck of the man who did this to her, who stole her sense of security and independence, I hold her tightly to my frame until the trembling concludes with a shuddered exhale.
“You good?” I pull back and wipe a strand of hair sticking to her cheek.
She releases her lower lip from the grip of her teeth. “I think so. I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t even think about it. Holding a beautiful woman doesn’t require an apology.”
The feel of her hands releasing the fabric at my back sends a dart of fury through me. No man should ever make a woman feel that fear. The tug of the leash steals my attention before I can share the thought with her.
“I can take her back to the car.”
Evie’s hand wraps so close to mine the heat of her small fist emits against my skin. Replacing my scowl with a smirk I’m not quite ready for, I move the strap out of her reach.
“She’s my new best friend. The way she came to your defense makes her as badass as you are. I might keep her.”
I swear she grunts in a way that rivals her dog.
“Seriously, though.” I hand her the leash, and we stroll to our cars. “I’m glad you don’t have a damn chihuahua riding around with you. Ghost did her job and did it well.”
“My brother will be pleased when I tell him.”
I cup her elbow and stop us twenty feet away from what I hope is still a lukewarm dinner. “You have a brother, and you’re living here?” My arm sweeps the near-vacant lot like I’m a host on a game show and the producers just revealed the convertible prize.
