Before she could respond, her brothers racked their pool sticks and slid into chairs around the table.
“Well, should we talk about why we’re all here?” Hayes sat forward, his elbows resting on his knees.
“Jess,” Lach grimaced as he looked at her. “We’re all worried. Something’s not adding up here, and unfortunately, you’re the common denominator.”
“Lucky me,” she snorted.
“Your brothers and I agree that the safest thing is for someone to be with you when you need to go somewhere. Most of the time that will be me.” Hawk’s hand came up, sliding under her hair and resting at the nape of her neck. He gently squeezed, and the tension that had been starting to pull her shoulders tight melted away. “But there are going to be times where I’m at The Trident, and I don’t want you to be trapped in the apartment going stir crazy.”
Dakota’s foot slid over and his leg bumped against hers. “Lach and I are good if she’s at the shop. We’ll make sure nothing happens there.”
“What are you doing?” Jessie turned in the chair, hoping Dakota would get the hint. She couldn’t understand why he was trying so hard to touch her. The hand on her arm, now his leg brushing hers. It was making her uncomfortable.
“I just want you to listen to our concerns. Your brothers’ and mine.” Dakota’s hand went on her arm and Hawk was standing in front of her in the next breath.
Don’t kill this douche bag. He’s important to the Fords.
“I’m not sure what game you’re playing at,” Hawk growled as he closed in on Dakota, “but I don’t fucking like it. She’s been clear with you more than once. Since you seem to think you don’t need to listen to her, let me make things very clear. Touch my girl again, make her uncomfortable by even looking at her, and I’ll handle things myself.”
“I’ve known Jess her whole life.” Dakota stood, his face pressing right into Hawk’s. “Herwholefucking life. I’m not doing anything other than trying to look out for her. You left her all alone the other night and her car fucking broke down.Wouldn’t find me leaving my pregnant girl stranded on the side of the road like that.” Dakota smiled. “Or maybe that was the plan all along. Maybe you’re trying to get rid of your problem. Everyone knows your reputation. Are you trying to scare Jess into staying away so you’re free to chase some other chick? Maybe she gets hurt. Maybe she loses her baby. And then you get to go on your merry way. No responsibility. Nothing to tie you to her.”
Hawk snapped. His fists went into Dakota’s shirt and before he could blink, Hawk had him shoved back against the wall.
“Who thefuckdo you think you are?”
“Wait… don’t tell me. Youarethe creep. Colt! I think I figured it out. Hawk shows up after, with just enough time to make it seem like he’s not the one harassing Jessie!”
Hawk pulled Dakota’s body away from the wall, just far enough to have some real momentum when he shoved his body back. The crack of Dakota’s head against the wood paneling left a satisfied warmth in his chest.
“Okay, okay. Break it up,” Colt commanded. Hawk didn’t move, his eyes boring into Dakota’s. “Hawk, now. Let’s go of his fucking shirt before you scare Jessie.”
Fuck. His hands dropped away like they’d been burned. And when he turned, he expected to see Jessie staring at him, wide eyed and afraid.
But that wasn’t the case.
She was being held back by Beau, Hayes whispering something in her ear. She pushed through, and Hawk stepped to the side with his arms open, anticipating her landing against his chest.
But once again, she surprised him.
Because all five-foot-five-inches of Jessie Ford went stomping past him and before he could even turn his head,Hawk heard the crack of her palm landing against Dakota’s cheek.
“How dare you say that to him! You might be Lach’s best friend, but you arenothingto me. I don’t need you making up battles in your mind and fighting themin publicand insulting the only person here that I feel truly safe with. Don’t think for one second that I’ll stand for you ripping down the man I plan on spending the rest of my life with.”
Holy fuck. Pissed off Jessie was so fucking hot. Hearingherstand up forhim…
“Jess,” Hayes stepped towards her, but she finally turned and walked into Hawk’s side. Her arms wrapped around his waist, and he let his jaw relax as her calm surrounded him. Which almost made him chuckle, because to everyone else, she was anything but calm.
“You don’t get to say anything to me.” Jessie pointed at her brother and shook her head. “Don’t you dare pretend like you were whispering nice things in my ear just then.”
Hawk’s face dropped down, lifting hers with his thumb. “What do you mean?” he asked.
“It was nothing.” Hayes didn’t give Jess a chance to speak. “I was telling Jess she needed to come home with us tonight. Back to the ranch. Give you some time to cool off.”
“Over my dead body,” he growled, tucking her closer to him.
“Over mine too,” Jessie added. She’d separated enough from Hawk to square her shoulders. Her hand pressed against his heart. “I’m going homewithHawk. This is beyond insane, and I am so ashamed of you both for treating him this way. He is my family now. If you want to be included in your niece’s life… in our lives… you better figure out what your problem is and fix it, fast.”
“Just listen. Please,” Beau begged. “We like Hawk. Hell, we’re fucking friends!”
