Because if he saw too much…
They’d never forgive me for bringing this monster to Eagle River.
“He threatened my dad,” I whispered. “He threatened this town.”
The words were out.
And once they were out, they kept coming.
“I thought I could handle it,” I said, voice shaking. “I thought if I played along, I could find a way out without anyone getting hurt.”
Trigger’s jaw flexed.
Nora’s hand flew to her mouth. Wyatt stood quietly behind her, listening.
Saint cursed under his breath.
“I—” My eyes burned. “He said if I didn’t marry him, he’d send men here. Not just to scare people. To… to make examples.”
Trigger leaned in. His voice dropped, deadly calm. “Did he touch you?”
My lungs locked.
I couldn’t answer.
Because if I said yes, Trigger would go outside and kill him with his bare hands.
And that would start a war.
Trigger’s gaze sharpened. “Rylie.”
I looked at his chest because I couldn’t look at his eyes. Before I could stop my mouth from speaking, it started on its own. “He grabbed my throat when I refused to… cooperate. I blacked out.”
Silence slammed into the room.
It felt like every sound in the tavern was muted, like even the jukebox was listening.
Trigger’s face changed.
Not anger.
Not jealousy.
Something colder.
Controlled.
Havoc’s voice cut in, low. “We need her off the floor. Now.”
Saint nodded once. “Upstairs. Secure room.”
Nora squeezed my shoulder. “We’ll protect you.”
I shook my head. “You don’t understand—he has people. He has the Mexican mafia. And—”
Trigger’s hand slid under my chin, tipping my face up.
His touch was gentle.
