“Of you, at least, none of it favorable.”
For the moment, Joey kept quiet, but she could see Ted scheming. His dark blond hair, a little longer than Hendrix’s but not as thick, looked like it hadn’t been washed in a week. Given his appearance, he’d recently seen the bottom of a whisky bottle, too. Always, whenever Ted drank, he was especially mean.
Now in a placating voice, Ted said, “Look, man, I just want to see my wife.”
It was Hendrix’s turn to go rigid. “It’s obvious you’re slow, but try to keep up. She’s not your wife anymore.”
Ted took a step away from the cabin. “She’ll always be mine.”
“I know Joey divorced you. I know you haven’t kept up with your obligations. I know you’re a coward who skulks around instead of doing things the right way.”
Furious and not bothering to hide it, Ted snarled, “The bitch told you that and you believed her? Well, believe this: she ismine. She willalwaysbe mine, and nothing the court says or does will ever change that.”
Anger had Hendrix striding forward. “You couldn’t be more wrong.”
Ted charged him.
She knew what a dirty fighter he could be and it scared her – until she saw Hendrix easily turn with the impact. They bothwent down, but it was Ted who landed hard on his back in the rough gravel.
When Ted swung and missed, Hendrix landed a punch to his jaw. “That’s enough!”
She thought it was under control, that Hendrix would keep him contained until the cops arrived. Relief coursed through her – until another man stepped around the side of the cabin and aimed a shotgun at Hendrix.
Her father-in-law, Leo, said, “I suggest you get off my son.”
With his forearm braced on Ted’s neck, Hendrix turned his head, saw the shotgun, and pressed to his feet.
Coughing and gagging, Ted moved more slowly, staggering upright and then spitting a stream of blood. One side of his mouth was already bruised, and the blood from his cut arm dripped down around his fingers.
Reaching back, he pulled a large knife from a sheath on his belt and held it in front of him. “Is she here?”
“Who?” Hendrix asked, as if he didn’t know. As if he didn’t have any concern about a shotgun and a knife and two men she knew could be utterly ruthless and immoral.
Ted barked a laugh, then he surprised her by roaring, “Joey.Get your ass out here, girl, before I gut this bastard!”
Hendrix was going to be so pissed, but she had no option. Stepping out, she said, “I’m here.”
Both Ted and Leo swiveled to look at her.
Their brief distraction seemed to be the only advantage Hendrix needed. In a near-seamless move, he snatched away the knife and wrapped a muscled arm around Ted’s neck, pinning him close, his back to Hendrix’s chest.
He’d moved so quickly, it took her a moment to realize what had happened.
Being a little shorter required Ted to stand on his tiptoes, his body awkwardly arched, as Hendrix contained him. He served as a perfect shield so Leo couldn’t use his shotgun.
With the knife held at Ted’s throat, Hendrix said, “Drop the shotgun.”
Instead, Leo turned to aim at her.
“Threaten her in any way,” Hendrix barked, “and I will end him, I swear it.”
Before things could get more out of control, Joey pulled the phone from her pocket. It didn’t matter that she was shaking terribly, she still lifted her chin. “I called 911. The dispatcher has been listening all this time. Officers should be here any moment.”
Panicking, Leo aimed at Hendrix again. “Turn him loose! Right now. We’ll leave, you have my word.”
As if Leo had any honor, she thought. She knew better.
But Hendrix was as honorable as they came, and he’d already seen enough violence. She would not put him through another grizzly holiday. Not because of her. He deserved peace. He deserved joy.
