Page 126 of Protecting Peyton

“Behind you,” I yelled as I got to my knees.

Baldy had picked up a log from the woodpile and swung it at Zane.

Zane dodged and kicked Baldy in the stomach.

The big goon folded, but not before Spider Tat got the same idea and picked up a log.

Wincing, I grabbed a piece of wood and threw it at Spider Tat.

It slipped out of my grasp as I flung it.

Zane grunted and bent over as my log hit him in the ribs.

Spider Tat charged.

Zane lunged forward before the guy could swing his log. They grappled.

I grabbed another log off the ground, with two hands this time, and joined the fight. I refused to let the thugs beat up my man. I swung at Spider Tat. For once, I hit the right man, but it only forced him off balance.

That was all Zane needed. He delivered a fierce series of kicks and punches to Spider Tat, sending him to the ground. Then he attacked the other two idiots. Zane’s movements were so fast they almost blurred.

Movie fight scenes went on and on, but Zane hit for effect. It was over quickly, leaving the three monsters all on the ground in the fetal position, groaning.

Zane pulled me up. “I told you to stay back.” He crouched to check out my leg. “You’re bleeding.”

“That’s from climbing over the fence. Like they say in the movies, it’s just a flesh wound.”

He stood after a second. “We need to clean that.”

I leaned in and hugged him. “Thank you. If you hadn’t come…” I couldn’t finish the sentence. The possibilities were too awful to put into words.

He hugged me back. “These three are going to seriously regret coming after you.”

“It wasn’t my idea,” Baldy moaned.

I turned around and kicked him. “That’s for my friends, asshole.”

Zane pulled me back. “Hold on, tiger. Let ‘em keep their teeth so they can answer my questions first. Then you can have a go at ‘em.”

I turned to Spider Tat and spat at him. “You wanted to have some fun? How about I kick your balls all the way to Vegas? That sounds like fun.”

Yates strode around the corner and folded his arms. “Looks like I missed all the action.”

“Yeah.” Zane spat blood. “What about Jordy and Pete?”

Yates gave him a thumbs-up. “They’ve got headaches, but they’ll be okay.”

Zane touched his ear. “Peyton secure. Three to transport to guest accommodations.” He wrapped me up in a hug. “I was so worried about you.”

I was hot, sweaty, and still breathing hard. He was dirty, bloody, and breathing almost as hard as me. Comfort and hygiene had no bearing in the moment. I snuggled into him and held on to this amazing man for all I was worth.

“Easy there, tiger.” He shifted me. “My ribs.”

“Sorry.” Okay, there was a reason for me not to hold on so tight.

He grimaced as he laughed. “Next time, stay out of the fight.”

I’d been the one to hurt him. “Sorry,” I repeated. “But I had to help.”