“Very few things scare Silva, which means you’re trouble,” I say, sucker punching Harlan in the face.
Yeah, I’m not proud of it, but I’m not going to stand by and watch this shit happen.
I follow that up with a kick in the stomach, happy to help him take a trip on his ass to the ground.
“Oh, are we beating the shit out of the newbies?” Shep asks, strolling over to join us. “Can I help?”
His words help to center me and I shake my head.
“You three better have the integrity to lay out why you’re looking for Silva and Lexi tomorrow. Otherwise I have no problem putting the three of you and whoever you came with in the goddamned ground,” I growl.
Shep doesn’t seem to care that I just threatened the people in front of me.
“The way I see it, it’s the least they’d deserve,” he agrees helpfully. “Are we going to go give Silva her keys now?”
“Yep,” I grunt, scowling as Harlan groans.
“Why is it always me,” he complains.
“You’re the prettiest one in the bunch,” I joke, pulling open the door.
Emmett’s head moves so fast on the other side of it, I’m surprised he doesn’t give himself whiplash.
“I believe it’s time for you three to get the fuck off this property,” I say over my shoulder. “Shep, want to come say hello to Silva?”
“Yes, please,” he says, his lips pursed in displeasure. “If you hurt her, this town will do a wonderful reenactment of running you out of town with pitchforks and torches.”
“How very medieval of you,” the redhead drawls. Fuck, I have no idea what his name is, and I don’t care enough to ask. He has a distinctive southern drawl, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s as fake as their masks.
“Get gone,” I mutter. “Emmett?”
“I’ll make sure they leave.”
Nodding, I make my way to the bar, where Silva is working. Everyone seems to be having a good time, but I noticeimmediately that she seems off. Her movements are a little jerky, and it looks like she’s having to concentrate too hard at something that’s second nature.
I don’t think most people would notice, but I practically have a PhD in Silva. I may not know her past, but everything else is engraved in my mind.
Leaning over the bar, I wait for her eyes to snap up to see me, and it takes a few seconds for her to recognize me. Fuck, that’s not good.
“Hey, Spitfire. I got your truck back. Can you take a break?”
“A break?” she asks, as if coming out of a daze.
Shep stares at her for a second before sitting down on a bar stool.
“Don’t take no for an answer,” he mutters. I almost can’t hear him, but I jerk my head in agreement.
Walking around the bar, I stop next to the bartender beside Silva and lean in to get her attention.
“Sheriff…you can’t be behind the bar,” she says with wide eyes.
“I know. I’m gonna steal your boss for a second. Think you can handle the bar?”
“Yeah,” she says with a nod. “Ah, she’s going to hate leaving.”
“I know, but she needs a second after using Charlie to put that alpha in his place. Don’t you think?” I ask.
She nods rapidly, and I finally find her name.Maura.
