“Jace.”
He looked at Elle to see her pleading gaze. She didn’t want to see a fight, and he didn’t want to start one with her so close.
“Come on,Jace,” the guy drawled. “I didn’t do anything. Maybe you should just let me leave.”
Like hell he would. “Maybe. Or maybe I should call the authorities and tell them that the asshole driving the stolen car is here.”
The guy lifted a brow, grinning. “You looked into me?”
“No. The sheriff of this town looked into you, and I don’t think he’ll be letting you go in a hurry.”
The smile dropped from his face. Then he swung.
Jace dodged the punch easily, immediately grabbing his wrist and twisting his arm behind his back. The guy was quick, jabbing an elbow into Jace’s gut. He only eased his hold for a second, but it was enough for the guy to twist out of Jace’s gripand attempt a kick at Jace’s shin. He sidestepped the kick and was about to move forward and pin the jerk again when the guy suddenly pulled a pistol.
Elle gasped, and Jace instinctively stepped in front of her, blocking her with his body.
“Put the goddamn gun down,” Jace growled, his muscles itching to attack, but no way was he moving away from Elle.
“Why would I do that?”
“Because I was stalling. I’vealreadycalled the sheriff. He’s on his way.” It was a lie, but this asshole didn’t know that.
“All I wanted,” the guy said slowly, breaths whooshing from his chest, “was a goddamn sandwich.”
“And yet you brought a gun,” Jace seethed. “Go. Leave before the sheriff arrives and you do something that gets you serious time.”
He scowled, inching backward toward the door, keeping the gun trained on them until he stepped outside.
Even after he disappeared, neither Jace nor Elle moved. They just stood there, almost expecting him to return. Thirty long seconds passed before Jace crossed the space to the door and flipped the lock. Then he called his brother.
Eastern answered on the second ring. “Jace. Everything okay?”
“You know that asshole with the stolen car? He came to the café while Elle was alone. Scared her. He and I threw a few punches, then he pulled a pistol on me.”
“Fuck. Be there in ten.”
Even though his brother couldn’t see him, Jace nodded before hanging up and turning to look at Elle. Her eyes were wide, her complexion still pale.
“Do you think he’s gone?” she asked quietly.
“I don’t know.” He closed the space between them and cupped her cheeks. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” The words came too quickly. “Are you?”
“No. I’m pissed. The guy scared you. Pulled a fucking gun while you were in the room.”
“I’m okay though.” She touched his chest before her gaze shifted to the door again. “I don’t understand what he was doing here or what he wanted.”
“He didn’t say anything before I got here?”
“No. He just kept saying he wanted a sandwich, and on about the third time of me asking him to leave, he started rounding the counter.”
A visible shudder rolled through her body, and Jace immediately wrapped her in his arms. “Thank you for calling me.”
He had no idea who the guy was or what he’d wanted, but his intentions hadn’t been friendly.
CHAPTER 18
