Page 71 of Break the Barrier

She worked like a machine that had some semblance of grace woven into it. Her movements were quick, sure, and smooth. I found myself staring more than I should have and being brought back into conversation and the game when someone had to yell out my name.

“So that’s a pretty sure thing, huh?” Dani asks, taking a pull of her beer and putting to bed some of the rumors our family had about why they wanted to have their wedding so fast.

“What’s a sure thing?” I ask, maintaining a casual voice and trying not to allow my joy to be too obvious.

She rolls her eyes at me. “You know exactly what I’m talking about.”

“It’s new.”

My cousin hums, our attention straying to CT’s turn at the dart board. “Is she coming to the wedding?”

“You invited her.”

“You know what I mean. Is she coming to the wedding with you?”

“She and her sisters are coming. They’re even closing the bar for a few hours to come.”

“Oh good, I was worried?—”

Her hesitation makes me stop and look over at her, but when I see her furrowed brow and worried eyes, they’re not on CT anymore but on something behind me. I turn, looking for whatever she sees, and when I do, my blood boils.

“That doesn’t look friendly.”

Dani’s words are barely out of her mouth before I’m stalking across the bar. A man who towers over Thea is grabbing her arm, pulling her closer, and when I catch sight of her face, there’s no anger toward a disgruntled customer but absolute terror written across her face.

When I’m within reach, I grasp his shoulder and turn him. My action catches him by surprise, and he lets Thea go.

I reach out my hand, and she interlaces her fingers with mine while I stare down the dickhead in front of me. He’s taller than me by a few inches, there’s an ugly tattoo scrawled on his face, and when he sees me, putting together what just happened, he gives me a nasty smile.

“Well, if it isn’t a real-life cowboy.”

Thea’s hand grasps my shirt at my back, and I feel better knowing she’s right there. Out of the corner of my eye, I see my brother and CT casually coming closer.

“Didn’t your mama ever tell you we don’t put your hands on ladies?”

He stares for a moment before cackling loudly. “Lady? I don’t see any ladies in this bar.”

The bar is packed tonight, seeing two feet in front of you is nearly impossible, and with the music, it would be impossible to overhear our words. Still, I lean closer, drawing myself up closer to get in his face.

“That’s my wife you just touched.”

The words are meaningful enough that for a moment, the guy looks surprised.

“Wow. You conned another sucker into your bed, Thea?”

“Just go, Bones, I don’t have anything to do with Eric anymore.”

“Oh, see.” He winks at me, and my hands curl into fists. The only reason I haven’t laid him out yet is because I don’t want to make a scene for Thea to have to explain away when it’s over. “That’s where you’re wrong. The way he sees it, you owe him.”

Thea steps around me, her face finally flashing with anger. “Owe him?”

“You’re the reason he was put behind bars…or did you not rat him out?”

Thea’s skin pales under the bar lights. “He murdered someone.”

“We don’t rat.” The guy pats his fist to his chest, and I notice for the first time that he’s wearing colors, and his cut is from a motorcycle charter where Thea used to live. I glance around, wondering if the local charter has any members here.

If they saw someone from out of town wearing his colors here without permission, that would cause problems.