“No.”
Fury slid over his face, and he leaned closer to snarl at her.“Don’t test me, Maia.Trying my patience never ends well.”
After the last loud fight that had turned physical, Maia had packed and left, bunking with Bryce until she’d purchased her Middlemarch property.
Another thought occurred.“Why tell the police I’m your fiancé?”
His mouth twisted.“You could be.Say the word.”
“No.Thank you,” she added in the interest of tact.
“You’ve replaced me.”Samuel’s gaze darted over to Henry before settling on her again.The twist of his lips wasn’t attractive despite his blond handsomeness.He resembled a thwarted child.
“Henry is an old friend.I’ve known him for years.”
“Ah, yes.How did you afford a property?It seems substantial and worth decent money.”
“What do you know about my property?”she demanded, suspicion leaping to the fore.
Samuel picked up his knife and fork.“Bryce told me.”
“Bryce wouldn’t tell you shit.”
“Watch your language,” he snarled.
What he meant was that he disliked her standing up to him.He liked his women subservient.“I repeat, I’ll deliver your books.”
“That makes no sense.Let me collect them now.”
“You don’t care about the books.They’re an excuse to get me alone and salvage your pride.Not happening.This meeting is over.”She sprang to her feet.“Stay away from me.I don’t want you in my life.I thought I’d made that clear.”
“Don’t walk away because you won’t like the consequences.”
Good grief.What had she seen in this man?Luckily, she’d wised up and terminated their relationship because it hadn’t been great for her mental or physical health.She sent him a sweet smile—one bearing the sting of a wasp.“I’ll courier your books to you.Don’t contact me again.”
Maia took two steps before Samuel grabbed her.He yanked her arm, and she stumbled, knocking over a chair.The cafe fell silent.Maia was strong from her strength training in the gym but temper had given Samuel an edge.He dragged her back to their table.
Henry started toward them, but Laura was quick.She darted around Henry and placed herself between him and them.Maia gave a silent shake of her head, and Henry stilled, although his expression screamed murder.A low growl had her head whipping to her right, and she half expected to see a dog, but four men eyed proceedings.
Okay then.She’d officially entertained the locals.Samuel’s hand whipped out, and he slapped her across the face.Shock accompanied the loud crack.Silence.Then pain.Chairs scraped the wooden floor.
The men at the table to her right moved in concert, and they, along with Henry and Laura, surrounded them.
“This is a private matter,” Samuel snapped.
“You’re under arrest for assault.”Laura whipped her handcuffs off her belt.
Samuel bellowed as Laura wrenched his left arm behind his back.He cursed and struggled, but two of the four strangers grabbed and held him for Laura to finish cuffing.
Henry walked straight to Maia and gently tilted her head.“He didn’t break the skin, but your cheek will throb.Come with me, and we’ll get ice.”
“I didn’t think he’d wallop me in public,” Maia said.
“But he has hit you.”
“Once, and I struck back.Bryce told me Samuel’s black eye was award-worthy.I’m not proud of the physical violence, but I wasn’t intending to be his punching bag.He has a filthy temper and a set of rules longer than his arm.None of his directives applied to him.”
Laura and the two men dragged Samuel from the cafe.He kicked and shouted, pretending to be the victim.
