Page 48

48

FORD

I grin as Harper slaps Jeffrey across the face, then kicks him in the knee.

His leg buckles, but I keep him upright, letting her unleash every ounce of rage she’s been holding in.

My fucking woman is badass.

Connor is still lounging against a tree, shouting encouragement while Allie pumps her fist in the air, occasionally jumping up and down like it’s a damn pep rally.

“Can I slap the bastard for pushing me?” Allie yells, eyes gleaming with excitement and something darker.

Harper glances at her over her shoulder, then shrugs. “Sure. Get your ass over here, bestie.”

Connor immediately follows, sticking close to her.

Oh yeah.

He has it bad.

And Allie?

She doesn’t stand a damn chance.

Connor is a pit bull when he wants something.

Unrelenting.

Determined.

And he wants her.

Allie strides over, muscles tense.

She locks eyes with Jeffrey, then rears back and slaps him so hard his head whips to the side, the crack echoing through the trees.

“That’s for pushing me,” she yells.

Then she kicks him straight in the nuts.

Jeffrey howls, collapsing in my arms.

“That’s for going near my best friend. You were a piss-poor substitute for Ford.”

I lock eyes with Harper.

She flashes me a sheepish grin.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” My voice is incredulous. “All you had to do was give me a sign. Anything . I would’ve skated off the ice mid-game and flown to whatever the fuck remote-ass location you were hiding in—even if it was fucking Mount Everest.”

A smile spreads across her face. “I’m an idiot who kept denying her feelings.”

I drop Jeffrey, letting his unconscious ass thud against the ground.

He’ll wake up soon.

Which is good because I want him to be conscious before I kill him.

I stalk to my future bride, yanking her flush against me.

I don’t care that I’m getting her bloody.

“You’re not an idiot. We both tried to deny what we felt.” My hand tilts her chin, forcing her to look up at me. “That ends now. No more secrets.”

Shame flickers across her face. “I should have told you?—”

I press a finger to her lips. “After I kill this fucker.” My voice darkens. “Unless he laid a finger on you.” Rage burns through my veins at the thought.

She immediately shakes her head. “No, he didn’t touch me.”

I nod.

Then I kiss her—hard.

My hands slide to her ass, gripping tight as I yank her against my hard dick .

A warning for what’s coming later.

She moans, grinding against me.

I smirk, pulling back. “Hold that thought, baby.”

She growls.

It’s the cutest fucking sound I’ve ever heard.

But my attention snaps back to Jeffrey as he groans, his eyes flying open.

Everything goes red.

I stalk forward, my thoughts rolling too fast to separate.

I wait until he sits up.

Then—I press my knee into his back, wrap my arms around his neck, and snap it.

The crack echoes from the trees surrounding us.

The sound is final.

It’s done.

His body slumps to the ground, his neck twisted at an unnatural angle.

I stare down at him, flexing my hands.

Then I look at Harper.

I expect to see horror, fear, or disgust on her face.

I’m shocked when I don’t see it.

Instead, there’s pride.

Love.

Complete and utter acceptance.

I turn to her, stunned by this badass woman.

She still looks at me the same way she always has.

Like I’m the only man in the world.

Her hands lift over her chest, forming a heart.

“I love you,” she says, voice strong.

Certain.

Unshaken.

Connor applauds while Allie cheers beside him.

“That was quite a show.” Jaxson King strolls toward us, grinning. “Well done, man.” He clasps my hand, shaking it.

I nod, pleased by his praise. “Thanks.”

Harper moves beside me. My arm wraps around her , my lips brushing her forehead. “This is my soon-to-be wife, Harper.”

Jaxson takes her hand. “Welcome to the extended family. We’ve got your back.”

Zayne Morine walks up next, his arm around a pretty brunette. “Hey, Ford.” He clasps my hand, grinning. “Nice work.”

“Thanks.”

Zayne gestures to the woman beside him. “This is my wife, Delaney.”

I take her hand, shaking it. “Nice to meet you.”

She smiles. “Likewise.”

Harper’s posture relaxes.

Her smile is genuine. “Lovely to meet you, Delaney.”

“Likewise. This is my husband, Zayne. Half of the ‘Fix-Anything’ team of King Morine.”

“Hi, Zayne.” She shakes his hand.

“Nice to meet you. My wife’s right. We solve problems.” His eyes dart to Jeffrey’s corpse. “We don’t leave a trace. Nothing will be tied to you or Ford. Or anyone else.” He gestures at Connor, who is talking with Jaxson and Allie.

“Thank you.” Her shoulders sag from relief. “I couldn’t stand for him to be?—”

Her lip quivers.

I spin her around, pulling her into my chest, knowing she hates crying in front of anyone except me.

“It’s alright, baby. I’m not going anywhere,” I murmur against her dark hair, breathing her in.

Allie walks over to us, shaking Zayne and Delaney’s hands before turning to us. “Why don’t we head back to the house and let them do their thing.” She gives Harper a pointed look. “Connor can drive me back to the B&B, and Ford can bring you over whenever it’s convenient?—”

She flashes him a mischievous smile, winking at him. “Then we can have some wine and celebrate the ending of shitty men and the beginning of new things.”

Harper raises her brows and Allie immediately backtracks, her face scarlet as she stumbles over her words. “Not for me. I don’t have a new man or anything.”

Connor slides his arm around her shoulder. “Are you kidding? We’re engaged.”

Zayne, Jaxson, and Delaney immediately offer their congratulations while Allie waves her hands frantically, her eyes wide. “No. No, we’re not.” She looks like she’s seconds from having a panic attack.

“Breathe, baby. Or I’ll play doctor and nurse you back to health.” Connor wiggles his brows amid our chorus of laughter.

“I love our crazy friends.” Harper grins up at me.

“ Our family , baby.” I rub my hand over her stomach. “And if I have anything to say about it, it will grow soon.”

She growls again, and I fucking melt from the sound.

My wife is the cutest badass.