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“This woman tried to steal from me.”

Walker makes a show of looking at Maren for confirmation, and she violently shakes her head in denial.

“Hand me your wallet, now.” Walker holds out his hand.

“Don’t you have drugs to look for?” Ricky smarts back.

“Now.?

??

Ricky reluctantly takes it out of his pocket and hands it over. Walker goes through it, taking out his ID and taking a picture with his phone. Then he looks at Maren again.

“Ma’am, do you want to press charges again Ricky Sharpe for assault?”

Maren plays right into the game, her jaw dropping and eyes bulging again. “Ricky Sharpe? He told me his name was Robert!”

“Is that true?” Walker looks at him for clarification.

“What do you care? She’s a lying, conniving bitch that—”

“That has a handprint on her cheek and a swelling lip. So, I suggest you watch your words.”

“No, I don’t want to press charges. I just want him gone.” Maren fakes a sob.

Walker blows out a breath and hands his wallet back. “Ricky, looks like the lady is giving you a pass. I’m not feeling so generous. Get your ass out of here, but don’t be surprised if you receive a visit tomorrow.”

Ricky snatches his wallet back and shoots Maren an evil glare before hauling ass out the door. As soon as it slams, I’m on my feet and in front of Maren.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. He got a cheap shot on me.”

I take the cloth that Marcus is holding and survey the damage. The area’s still red, but there is no visible bruising.

“I want to kill him,” I announce, not caring Walker’s in law enforcement.

“Me too,” Marcus adds.

“Truly, I’m fine,” she reassures us.

“Emi, get over here,” Walker orders, and I comply, throwing my arms around his shoulders and resting my head in the crook of his neck.

“Thank you.”

“I swore to myself I wasn’t going to interfere. I SWORE I was going to let you live your life, but I’m changing my mind. No more, do you hear me? No more of these half-cocked schemes. If you were in Maren’s place, and a man struck you, he’d be laid out on the ground right now, fighting to live.”

I want to argue, but now is not the time. I know what he said is true, and tonight could have gotten out of hand if he didn’t save us. “All right.”

“Maren, you too.”

“Okay,” she wisely agrees.

He hugs me close, placing his mouth to my ear. “I’m not kidding, Emi. If that would have been you, I’d have lost my shit.”

“I know.”

He lets out a deep breath, squeezing me so tight I fight for air.