Graham moves.
Fast.
He lunges for her phone like he can erase the truth by grabbing it.
And my body reacts before my mind finishes the thought.
I’m across the room in two strides, grabbing Graham’s wrist mid-lunge and stopping him cold.
The contact is electric—his skin under my palm, his pulse jumping as he realizes he just ran into the wrong man.
I twist his wrist down, just enough to hurt, just enough to remind him I’m built for restraint and violence in equal measure.
“Touch her,” I say, voice low and deadly, “and you die.”
Ellie’s breath catches behind me.
Graham’s eyes flare with shock, then fury. He tries to wrench free.
I don’t let him.
Saxon’s voice cuts through, calm and sharp. “Cooper.”
I don’t look at him. My gaze stays on Graham. “You’re done.”
Graham’s face is tight with rage now. The mask is gone. “You can’t threaten me.”
I lean in close enough for him to smell smoke on my skin. “I can. And I am.”
His eyes flick to Ellie, then back to me, and I see it—the calculation. The shift from physical to legal. He’s already spinning a story.
Ellie’s voice comes out behind me, steady. “I have it recorded.”
Graham’s face goes pale for half a second. Then his eyes go hard. “Delete it.”
Ellie laughs once, sharp. “No.”
Levi whistles. “Damn.”
Sadie steps closer to Ellie, protective without touching. “You want me to call the sheriff?”
Saxon’s gaze stays on Graham. “I think that’s a good idea.”
Graham’s jaw clenches. He looks at Saxon like he can’t believe the town isn’t on his side. “This is harassment.”
Saxon’s voice stays flat. “No. This is a woman documenting a threat.”
Graham’s eyes snap back to Ellie, rage simmering under his skin. “You’re going to regret this.”
I tighten my grip. “You’re going to regret walking in here.”
Ellie steps closer, voice low but steady. “Get out.”
Graham’s gaze flicks to her ring, then to me, then to the watching faces in the room. The town is here now. Witnesses. Consequences.
He smooths his jacket like he can put the mask back on, but it doesn’t fit anymore.
He pulls his wrist free with a jerky motion. I let him. Because the real power isn’t in my grip.
