“That’s a lie,” Viper says flatly. His weapon is lowered but ready. He hasn’t raised his voice once, and his posture is relaxed in a way that somehow makes him seem more dangerous than if he were primed to fight.
“There are posted boundaries,” Viper says. “You crossed a perimeter fence. That doesn’t happen by accident.”
“I didn’t see?—”
“You saw,” Viper interrupts, “and you chose to ignore it.”
“Try again.” Grizz adjusts his grip, and the man hisses in pain.
“I … I was following a fresh set of tracks,” the hunter says. His shoulders are slumped like he knows he’s defeated, but he keeps arguing. “I thought the land was unoccupied.”
Viper’s gaze goes briefly to me, then back to the man. “You were warned off this area last year.”
The man’s eyes widen. “You remember me?”
“I remember everyone who trespasses,” Viper says. “Especially stupid people carrying rifles.”
The hunter shakes his head. “I didn’t know anyone was around. I swear.”
“That’s not reassuring,” Viper says.
Grizz releases the man abruptly, shoving him forward a step. “You’re leaving now.”
When the hunter hesitates, Viper steps closer to him. “Now.”
Viper guides him away with a firm hold on his elbow. “You’re going to get in your truck, drive down the hill, and never give us a reason to think about you again. If you come back?—”
“I won’t,” the man says quickly.
Viper’s voice goes lethal. “If you come back here, I won’t escort you off the property.”
They disappear into the trees, and I don’t realize how badly I’m shaking until Grizz comes to my side.
“You okay?” His voice is suddenly gentle, as if he turned down a volume knob just for me.
“I think so,” I say, even though my knees are weak.
He steps even closer without hesitation, his gloved handswarm as he cups my upper arms. The contact grounds me, and I lean into him before I can stop myself.
He exhales roughly, as if he’s the one who’s been holding his breath since the gunshot, and slides one hand up my back, rubbing circles between my shoulder blades.
“You’re safe now.” His thumb brushes my sleeve, and it feels intimate, even though he’s doing it to comfort me.
He tips his head to get a better look at me. “You cold?”
“A little.”
He tucks me against him immediately, wrapping one arm around me, blocking out the world. I instantly feel safe in a way that’s bone deep.
“I should’ve been closer,” he says quietly.
“You were. You got here fast.”
A beat passes before he squeezes me to him, then eases back. “Let’s get you inside. Atlas’ll want eyes on you as soon as he gets back.”
I nod, reluctant to lose his warmth.
“It was a nice day for a walk.” My voice comes out a little shaky.
