The moment his gaze lifts and catches mine, something in his posture changes. His smirk flickers to life.
He straightens up, puffing his chest out. “Well, if it isn’t the goddamn cavalry coming out to play. What, didn’t get enough last time? Or did Noelle actually wise up and kick you both to the curb?”
Callum doesn’t rise to the bait. He just folds his arms across his chest and levels Jared with a firm look. “We came to make sure you understood what the termstaying awaymeans. Since last time you seemed eager to rehash things in the future, we’re here to tell you to reconsider that if you know what’s good for you.”
Jared chuckles, the sound grating on my nerves. “Yeah, is that so? Interesting you think you have any business getting in the middle and mine and Noelle’s. I suggest you both stick your nose somewhere else if you know what’s good for you.”
That smirk, that slick tone, they’re enough to make me want to swing, to knock the arrogance right out of him.
But it’s more than that.
It’s the way he talks about Noelle like she’s something he owns, something he can hurt just to prove a point.
“You’re done with her, Jared. You so much as drive past her shop again, or try to harass her at her home, we’ll make sure you regret it. If the police won’t deal with you, we will.”
His grin widens. “So which one of you three is volunteering to play Daddy these days? Didn’t she already have her fill of all ofyou the other night? Oh wait, she can’t keep her legs closed so that’s why you’re here. News flash: if it involves my kid, it’s my business.”
That’s the thing about Jared: he’s not stupid.
He’s calculated in a cruel way, aiming to inflict emotional damage before anyone can land a physical blow.
He doesn’t care about the consequences, doesn’t care that he’s picking a fight with men he can’t win against.
He wants to wound, to twist the knife in as deep as he can, especially when it comes to Noelle. He’s had her first and he knows that’s what bothers us most.
Callum’s jaw flexes hard beside me, his hand curling into a fist to mirror my own. I can feel the anger radiating off him, matching the fire in my gut.
I step closer, my boots thudding heavily on the concrete. “You don’t get to talk about her like that. Eli’s not yours, no matter what you claim. You’re a leech, Jared, and you’re done bleeding her dry.”
Jared snorts. “You think I’m scared of a couple of her little guard dogs? Please. She’s mine, whether you like it or not. And that boy is mine too.”
That’s it.
Before I can think, I’m moving.
The distance between us vanishes in an instant.
I grab the front of his jacket and apron, the fabrics bunching in my fist, and slam him back against the shelf behind him.
Tools rattle, a box of screws crashes to the floor, scattering across the linoleum with a metallic clatter.
Jared chokes on the impact, his hands flying up, clawing at my grip, but I press him harder, my forearm against his throat, pinning him like the coward he is.
“Say that shit again,” I growl, my voice low, dangerous, “and I’ll make sure you never get another word out.”
The red haze in my vision is narrowing on his smug face, his wide eyes betraying a flicker of fear beneath the bravado.
“Grant,” Callum says, the word is sharp, a warning to pull me back. But it’s Jared’s wheezing laugh that really snaps me out of it.
“Hit me,” he rasps. “Go on. You’ll just prove I’m right. You think it’ll look good to the cops that the boytoys my kid’s mom has hanging around are coming around to beat his dad up? Yeah, that’ll look real good in court.”
“You’re not his real dad, Jared. Keep pushing and you’ll find out what happens when you cross a line you should’ve left alone.”
“You think you can scare me? She’ll come crawling back when she realizes she needs a real man.” He shoves his hands against my chest.
The store manager appears, a burly guy with a tired scowl, his voice booming loudly. “Enough! Take it outside, or I’m calling the cops.”
His glare sweeps over us, lingering on Jared, who shrugs me off. He stabs two fingers in Jared’s direction, motioning for him to follow his manager out back.
