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“You better watch your mouth, little girl,” Bruce seethed.

“There isn’t an end. It consumes you.”

Bruce grabbed her chin, and a traitorous gasp escaped.

“You’re going to get me what I want,” he said low.

“I never did anything to you. Neither did Brett.”

“Anyone who would take up with a Patton is no friend of mine, sweetheart.”

A loud bang at the door lifted Bruce’s attention, and Thea let out a scream. She turned, but a second bang had her lifting her shoulder to protect what she could of her face as the door flew open, half-hanging on the hinges.

Bruce’s rough grip on her chin fell away, and she looked up.

Brett stood in the doorway, staring at Bruce Howard with fire in his eyes.

Oh, no. If Brett had campaigned for peace before, that ship had sailed.

Brett set his sights on Thea’s uncle and crossed the room in a few quick steps. The shock must have been hanging on because Bruce didn’t protect himself as Brett’s fist made contact with his face, landing the older man on his back.

Cain charged at Brett, but he’d been expecting that attack. Brett’s elbow made quick contact with Cain’s nose, sending his head jerking back.

With Cain cradling his cracked face and Bruce groaning on the ground, Brett pulled out his knife and cut Thea’s ankles free.

“Brett, are you okay?”

“I was gonna ask you the same thing.”

Bruce pushed up onto his hands, and Brett used his boot to shove the man’s shoulder, landing him back on the floor.

Brett braced himself and leaned over Thea’s uncle.

“Touch my wife again, and you’ll need a new hand.”

Chapter26

Brett

Seeing Thea tied to a chair was both worse and better than the scenes Brett’s imagination had been conjuring. He hadn’t known what to expect, but the fact that his wife had been at Bruce’s mercy was unacceptable.

Hiswife.

Hiswife.

She’d sworn it before the judge and Everly as a witness less than twenty-four hours ago, and they had big plans to share the news with everyone at a party the coming weekend.

There was no way on earth Bruce Howard was ruining that party. Brett had waited too long for this moment, and he intended to love Thea for many years to come.

One glance at Thea told him she was alive, and that was a balm to his burning soul.

Bruce, however, had a death wish.

The guy was humming with rage. The hatred in Bruce’s eyes was palpable, but it didn’t touch Brett’s resolve.

“Cain!” Bruce barked.

Cain was shaking off the stars in his eyes as dark blood ran over his mouth, streaking down his gray thermal shirt. After a few blinks, Cain reached for the waistband of his pants.