“Because you think I forget to eat.”
“You do.”
I laugh and then challenge back, “I resent that.”
“It’s still true.”
I smile despite myself and head into the kitchen.He’s already unpacking containers onto the table.Fried shrimp.Fries.Hush puppies.Coleslaw he won’t touch, but I plan to enjoy.
I’m just reaching for a tea when my phone rings.
Unknown number.
My body goes cold so fast it feels like falling through ice.
Tucker sees it.
Of course he does.He sees everything.His gaze drops to the screen, then to my face.Something inside him goes still.
Not calm.Worse.
Controlled.
“Lucy.”
I can’t seem to speak.My thumb hovers over the screen.Answer or don’t answer.If I don’t, the dread stays.If I do—Tucker’s voice drops.“Put it on speaker.”
I look at him.
Really look.
His face has gone hard in a way I haven’t seen directed at me before.Not scary exactly, but close enough that my muscles tighten instinctively.
And he sees that too.
The anger in his eyes flashes sharper for one second.Then he reins it in so fast it’s almost invisible.
I answer and hit speaker before I can lose my nerve.
For a second there’s only breathing.
Then the voice.“You think he can save you?”
My heart stutters so hard it hurts.Clint.It’s definitely Clint.He’s not disguising his voice now.The room seems to tilt.Tucker doesn’t move.Not one inch.But every line of him goes lethal.
The voice on the phone laughs softly.“I know he’s there, Lucy.Men like him are always there at first.”
“You don’t get to call me,” I say, and I’m proud of how steady I sound because inside I’m shaking all over.
“Aw, there she is,” Clint drawls.“Knew you missed the fight with me.Oh the passion in you, I love working you up, and breaking you down.He’ll never be able to get to you like I can.”
Tucker reaches over and takes the phone from my hand before I even realize he’s moving.
“Listen to me,” he states, his voice low and flat and absolutely terrifying.“You call this number again and I’ll put you in the ground.”
Silence.
Then Clint laughs.“Who’s this?New guard dog?I’ve watched you come and go around my kid.You may be big, buddy, but a rock, or in this case a bullet can still take down a giant.”
