Cody swept his hand across his bloody nose. “Get lost,” he said, his other hand squeezing Holly’s arm to the point it would leave bruises. “We were having a private discussion.”
“The hell we were,” Holly said.
Cody sneered. “You barely know her. I’ve known her all my life. What’s it to you anyway?”
“Let go of me, Cody,” Holly said.
“You and I are meant to be together,” Cody said.
Holly shook her head. “The truth is, we’ll never be together because?—”
“Because she’s my girl,” Simon said and karate-chopped Cody’s arm, breaking his grip on Holly.
She stepped backward until she leaned into Simon.
“You’ve got to be kidding.” Cody rubbed his arm. “She’s been back for a little more than a week.” He turned to Holly. “You can’t possibly be his girl.”
Tired of the fight and ready to be in her own place with her feet up, Holly lifted her chin, slid her hand into Simon’s and said, “You’re right, it’s only been a short time, and we haven’t made any announcements because it’s all so new between us. But, yes, we’re...together.” She raised the hand holding his, if a bit awkwardly, and let it fall to her side.
Cody rubbed his arm where Simon had chopped him, his eyes narrow, his gaze going back and forth between Simon and Holly.
“That’s right,” Simon said. “And if you ever try to hurt her again, you’ll answer to me.”
Cody snorted. “I’m not afraid of you.”
“No?” another voice said behind them. “Then you might consider that he comes with backup.”
Holly glanced over her shoulder to find Remy and the rest of Simon’s team forming a semi-circle around them. Her heart swelled at the support.
Simon’s hand squeezed hers gently. He raised it and pressed his lips to her knuckles. “Ready to go home, darlin’?”
Her pulse fluttered at the endearment, even though she knew it was all for show. “I am.”
Simon cocked an eyebrow at Cody. “You can leave now.”
Cody lifted his chin in defiance, then directed a sneer toward Holly. “You were meant for me, not this poser. You’ll be mine.”
“Never,” she said. “You’re delusional. Even if Paul hadn’t been in the picture, I wouldn’t have chosen you if you were the last man on earth.”
The semi-circle of men moved closer.
Cody shook his head. “I’m leaving, but not because of you losers.” He sidestepped Simon, climbed into his truck and revved the engine. When he shifted into gear, he hit the accelerator, spitting up gravel from his back tires. The truck lurched forward, narrowly missing Remy.
Remy stood his ground without flinching.
Cody and his monster truck left the parking lot, tires squealing as they spun on pavement, carrying the man and his attitude away.
Once Cody’s vehicle disappeared out of sight, Holly’s shoulders sagged. She let go of Simon’s hand, shoved her fingers through her hair and looked up into Simon’s blue eyes. “Thanks. I was running out of ways to convince him to let me go.”
His lips quirked on the corners. “You were doing a decent job of it, based on the amount of blood on his shirt.”
She turned to the others. “And thank you all for showing up when you did. I would’ve felt bad if Simon and Cody had gotten into a fist fight.”
“I wouldn’t have felt bad.” Simon clenched his fists. “The guy needs to be taught a lesson on how to respect a woman.”
“Now that the show’s over, I’m going to head home. Thanks again.” She waved a hand, unlocked her car and got in. As soon as she started the engine, the air conditioner blasted out cool air, causing condensation to form on the outside of the windshield.
Fully aware of Simon standing beside the car, it took a moment for Holly to realize the condensation wasn’t filling in all the way across the glass. Slowly, words appeared, making Holly’s blood grow cold. Though she was looking at them in reverse, the message was clear.
