The guy paused and looked at him. “Nothing.”
He started to walk away a second time, but Kayden grabbed him by the shirt and tugged him back. “Hey. You bump into a woman, you apologize.”
A soft hand touched his arm. “Kayden…it’s okay.”
“There you go,” the guy said, a cocky grin on his face. “She says it’s okay.”
He tried to pull away, but Kayden tugged him closer. “Isay, it’snot.Apologize.”
Some of the humor left his face, and an angry sneer took its place. “She gonna apologize for stealing from my family? Or better yet, she gonna return the goddamn money?”
Tilly stiffened beside him.
“This isn’t about that.” Kayden inched closer. “This is about you pushing a woman in the back.”
“Not justanywoman…her. A Taylor. The daughter of a thief.”
“Everything okay here?”
Kayden ignored Cody’s question as his brother came to stand beside him, all of his focus on the asshole in front of him. He had no time for men who physically assaulted women, and shoving Tilly in the backhadbeen assault.
“Last chance,” Kayden said in a voice so quiet that there was no missing the thread of violence. “Apologize to her before I do something to you thatyouwon’t get an apology for.”
The man’s eyes narrowed, and for a moment he seemed to be considering his options.
Was this asshole even dumber than he looked?
His friend bumped his shoulder. “Just say sorry so we can get out of here, man.” Obviously the smarter of the two.
Finally, the jerk looked back at Tilly. “I’m sorry.”
It wasn’t sincere. Not even close. But Cody touched his arm. “Step back, Kay.”
Reluctantly, Kayden released his shirt. “Do it again, and youwillbe sorry.”
The guy’s eyes narrowed for a second time, and it was a moment before he turned away, but even then, Kayden waited until he was a good few feet away before turning back to Tilly. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Thank you, but you didn’t have to do that.”
“He shoved you and laughed.” What the fuck did shethinkhe’d do? Allow that kind of behavior right in front of him?
“I know, but saying something just makes it all worse sometimes.”
What the hell was she talking about? “Has this happened before?” With the same asshole or someone else? Did Kayden need to turn around and kick his ass?
She opened her mouth, clearly about to say something, but then closed it and shook her head. “Don’t worry about it. Thank you for your help, Kayden.”
Then she was striding to the bathroom before he could push for more information.
CHAPTER 4
Atrickling sound pricked at Tilly’s sleep, causing her to groan as she rolled from her back to her side. It almost sounded like drops of water hitting a surface but coming from inside her house.
Christ, what time was it?
Slowly, she peeled her eyes open to see darkness. Thanks to the boarded-over window, there wasn’t even a hint of light in the room. Blindly, she reached for her phone on the bedside table, shoving other items aside before her fingers wrapped around her cell.
Three thirty. Too. Freaking. Early.
