“I’m just leaving a meeting at the bank. What’s going on?”
“You need to get to SD Ink. Now. Lydia’s fucking ex from New York showed up. He’s at the shop with her.”
What the fuck?
Without thinking, I ran to my car, ripping the door open and smashing the ignition button with far more force than necessary.
“I left her alone there. She’s by herself,” I said, more to myself.
“I’m on my way there now. She’s not going to be alone for long.”
I ended the call with Wyatt, throwing my phone onto the seat beside me. My vision blurred, heart racing, as I gunned it down the narrow town roads. I whipped onto Pine Street and was immediately hit with bustling traffic and pedestrians—Calla Bay’s version of rush hour, when people were getting out of work, businesses were still open, and the sun was making its descent from its earlier peak heat. My leg bounced rapidly as I couldn’t do anything but meander down the road like this was some leisurely afternoon drive. Finally, as soon as I could, I turned down Washington Street and then again onto Main Street.
Reid pulled up at the same time as me. Wes was right behind him. Luke and Wyatt were already here, thank fuck.
I didn’t bother to find a spot. I just threw my car into park and jumped out. Lydia needed me. The front door nearly tore off its hinges with the force of my entry, Wes and Reid right behind me. Wyatt was toe to toe with some asshole. Luke was standing on the far side of the couch, shielding Lydia as she yelled at the man to leave.
If pressed, I couldn’t even describe what her ex looked like. My sole focus was Lydia. Her defiant gaze, her fiery expression.
“You heard the lady. Leave.” My voice was dripping with lethal warning.
He turned around, his eyes widening for a second at the sight of the wall of protectors behind him, before he slipped a smug mask over his face again.
“What, are you all her brothers or something? This has nothing to do with you.”
“The fuck it doesn’t. I’m not her brother. I’m her boyfriend. Now, get the fuck out,” I growled.
He snapped his head to mine, then looked back at Lydia. “Seriously. You’re going to trade me in for this backwater deviant. You’re a fucking slut. A joke. I know you were fucking around on me in New York. Everyone could see it. Even my boys agreed. Does your boyfriend know you like to whore it up with everyone you meet?”
“Shut the fuck up,” Wyatt warned. “I’m about to knock this fucker out if he doesn’t get the fuck out of here. Luke, arrest his ass.”
“On what charges?” Luke griped.
“I’ve got him,” Wes said, his long strides eating up the space between them.
“If you touch me, I’m pressing charges for assault andbattery,” the dude said quickly. He leaned back, away from Wes, only to bump into Wyatt’s chest. “Even the cop knows I haven’t done anything. There’s no restraining order against being here. I’m just a dude who walked into a shitty little tattoo shop.”
“Don’t, Wes. He’s serious. He won’t let it go,” Lydia warned.
“You don’t want your cop buddy over here to have to arrest you, do you?” His smug little face was begging to be punched.
“Our cop buddy was arrested for assault and battery himself. It’ll be worth it. Lydia is worth it,” I said. I didn’t give a shit if this dick pressed charges, and I wanted him to know that. Keeping him away from Lydia and getting him the fuck out of Dodge was the only thing I cared about.
“I wasn’t arrested. I was detained,” Luke grumbled where he stood in front of Lydia. “There’s a difference.“
“Not now, Luke,” Reid piped up.
I stood next to Wyatt, ready to haul this guy through the window if necessary. Luke had Lydia. I knew on my life that he would keep my girl safe, and possibly have to stop her from launching herself at this fuckweed. Reid stood on the other side of Wyatt, building a wall between him and Lydia.
“You’re not welcome here. Not at my shop. Not near my girl. And not in this town. This is your last chance to walk out of here on your own two feet,” I told him succinctly.
“Otherwise what?” he replied arrogantly.
“Otherwise, we haul your ass out of here and dump your fucking body in the ocean.” My voice was calm and even.
“Hope you can swim,” Reid added.
A silent challenge lasted for a few heartbeats. The ex tried to look past us, but he couldn’t see through the human wall we had built. He turned around. Wes was standing at the door,holding it open. His hair was down past his shoulders and looked wild and untamed. His thick beard covered his face. Dark eyes glared back at the fucker, ready to take matters into his own overly large hands at any moment.
