Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22480 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22480 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
“Why don’t you just maim him a little? I’d rather us go home and celebrate instead of you spending the night in jail.” She has a point. Although I’m pretty sure the entire town would cheer me on if I got rid of the Harold problem.
Harold’s already pale complexion turns nearly translucent. “Did… didn’t mean anything by it,” he drawls and takes a few steps back. “I just wanted to congratulate your mate.”
“I should’ve ripped your sleazy ass to shreds when you went after my business.” I let my inner bear’s fury radiate from me.
His eyes widen, giving him an even derpier look. “I wasn’t hurting anyone. Besides, this is a public place. Didn’t know I needed an invitation.”
“It’s not about invitations,” I say, my tone as cold as I can manage while suppressing the urge to shift right here, to let my bear remind him why he should keep his distance. “It’s about knowing when you’re not welcome.”
The room is silent, the tension a live wire between us. Gianna and my mother step up beside Emilia, their presence a further shield. I can feel the support of my family, the silent communication that we stand together, that we protect our own.
Finally, the little idiot’s self-preservation instincts must kick in because he backs down. “Fine,” he grumbles after a beat, holding up his hands in surrender. “I hope you have a nice lunch.” He turns on his heels, walking away with a nonchalance that only serves to heighten my hackles, his exit a slow, deliberate display. The idiot is too stupid to realize he finally pushed my bear past its limit.
I turn to my mate. “Enjoy your lunch, little goddess.” I lean over and kiss her cheek.
“You’re leaving?” Emilia frowns up at me.
“I’m going make sure this never happens again.” I kiss her nose and rush out of the restaurant, using my nose to follow the badger as he scurries down the street.
My dad’s SUV slams to a halt a little further down the block, and I realize my mother must’ve let him know about the disturbance. Dad and Gabe hop out. “What was that dipshit thinking?” my brother growls and follows me down the street.
“I have no idea, but I’m going to make sure he never has those thoughts again.”
Of course, he heads straight to the sheriff’s office. I wonder if he’s stupid enough to think Sheriff Bolden will protect him. Oh well, I’m about to educate him on his erroneous thinking.
“Leave me alone,” Harold whimpers over his shoulder at us and rushes through the front lobby, heading straight for the main desk. “I need help.”
“I already heard what you did.” Sheriff Bolden steps out of his office shaking his head. “And I have to say, you’re even dumber than I’d originally thought.” He crosses his arms over his chest and looks over at me. “Do you need a private room for your discussion with Harold?”
“No.” I want everyone to see what I’m about to do to the fucking pain in my ass. “We can do this here.”
I grab Harold around the neck, digging my nails into his slimy skin, and give him a hard shake as I slam his ass up against the hardwood door.
My inner polar bear takes over as I take out my intense rage on the fucking badger. I forget everyone else in the room until my dad puts his hand on my shoulder. “I think you’ve made your point.” His words pull me out of my fury, and I glance down to see the battered badger.
Who knew a black eye and swollen lip would actually make him look better? “I went easy on you this time, but this is the last warning you’re ever getting from me.” I give him one last shake. “Next time, you won’t survive it.”
When I let him go, he slides down the door into a beaten lump. Sheriff Bolden steps over and leans down to add, “Since no one in this town will ever miss you, you need to take Dillon’s warning and run with it. I’d suggest you look for somewhere warmer and far, far away from Glacier Pass.”
“I second that idea,” Gabe pipes in.
“Thank you,” I tell Sheriff Bolden, and he gives me a chin lift before turning and walking back into his office.
As I walk away with my dad and Gabe, I hear the badger groaning while struggling to stand. I hope he finally learned his lesson. If not, I’ll follow through on my threat because nothing is more important to me than my mate.
When we get back to the restaurant, I see my mother’s SUV is gone and head straight for my vehicle. “I’m going home to make sure my mate is okay.”
“Sounds great,” my dad calls out. “Let’s have a barbecue this weekend and celebrate your news.” I should’ve known the entire town would’ve heard about my pregnant mate by now.