Page 23 of Property of the Woodsman

Reed stiffens and stares at the man that just confessed his love to me and fucked me like an animal. “I thought I told you to get lost?”

“What?” I’m nearly laughing now. “Why the hell are you here?”

“I had Em’s dad run this guy’s plates. Did you know he’s been to prison?”

“You did what?” I gasp and glance toward Em, whose eyes haven’t diverted from the broad chested man holding me tight.

“He tried to rob a bank! He’s a criminal, and you really think it’s okay to bring this guy around our kid?”

I shake my head. “Yeah, I know he’s been to prison, Reed, and still, somehow I think he’ll be a better partner than you ever were.”

“You’ve lost it!” he shouts into the night, the crickets silencing themselves with every outburst. “You’ve really fucking lost it! This guy will not be around my son. Not a single second. I won’t allow it.”

Em lets go of Reed’s arm and backs away from him. “I don’t know. Maybe we should hear them out.”

Oh shit!

“What?” Reed snaps at Em, and I swear it’s the first time I’ve heard it happen. Usually, she can do no wrong.

“I mean,” she fidgets with the hem of her skirt, “maybe we should hear them out. Atlas looks like a nice guy.”

“What the hell looks nice about this guy?” Reed yells. “He looks like he just finished a murder spree.” He lowers his voice and redirects his gaze toward Em as he says, “We talked about this all the way here. We don’t think he’s good for Jackson. Why are you changing your mind?”

Em glances up at Atlas and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “Look at him, he doesn’t look that bad. People make mistakes.”

Oh my God! I want to die!

Atlas squeezes my hips and kisses the top of my head before he talks to the group. “I did go to prison. I made a mistake. Since then, I’ve gotten my life back on track.”

“See,” Em continues, a mosquito buzzing near her ear, “he’s got it all figured out, and Jen has a good head on her shoulders. She wouldn’t put Jackson in harm’s way.”

This is hilarious. One hot dude and the girl can’t hold her own.

“She doesn’t have a good head on her shoulders,” Reed groans. “She’s over emotional and she’s probably believing whatever bullshit this guy is whispering in her ear because, let’s be honest, what would a man like this see in her if it weren’t for money?”

My stomach tightens, and suddenly the rage I’ve been trapping inside of me for years comes bubbling out all at once in the sharp shriek of a woman who’s finally gaining control. “You’re a manipulative piece of shit, you know that? And Em,” I glance toward the girl who’s making a mistake herself, “I don’t know what you’re looking for, but I promise you this man isn’t it. Run. Run while you still have perky tits and thick, shiny hair. Run before you waste another second of your life.”

Atlas squeezes my shoulder in support as Reed steps forward.

“You ever think I didn’t treat you right because I didn’t fuckin’ like you? Because you became unbearable?”

“Yes,” I nod, “I did consider that. I don’t think you ever liked me, Reed, and that’s okay, but Atlas will be spending time with Jackson. If you have a problem with it, I guess you’ll have to see a lawyer.”

Em swallows hard and stares toward me with big doe eyes like she’s lost and looking for guidance. It’s sad really, though Reed doesn’t seem to be in tune with her at all. He keeps stepping toward me, his skinny neck protruding like a turtle from its shell.

“You’re a—”

“Shut the fuck up.” Atlas steps forward. “You might let people talk shit to your girl, but I don’t. Leave the property or I’ll remove you.”

Reed shakes his head and grabs Em by the arm, but she flinches away, and I hope to heck it means she’s moving on with her life. Lord knows she’d be better off anywhere else.

“Well, that was… interesting.”

“Oh my God, that man is a mess.”

“You handled it well, though.” He squeezes my shoulder as I shut the front door and lock it behind me.

I don’t know what I have to do to keep all the drama away, but I have a feeling the big, giant man beside me will help with that.