Page 117 of The Promise Of Rain

His eyes flitted to her.“Don’t fucking look at her,” I snarled.

His eyes widened.“We were best friends!”

“Take a fucking shot!”I bellowed.

He swung, nailing me in the face with a right hook.

My head snapped back.

I looked back at him and smiled.

His knees gave out beneath him as he yelled at me.

I jerked him forward and plowed my fist into his face as he began to scream.

The first hit broke his nose.

The second knocked out a tooth.

The third left him bleeding on the floor.

Jenny cried, the sound that of a terrified child.

I turned to face her, and she fucking ducked.Dropping to her haunches, she wrapped her arms around her head and sobbed.

I sank to my knees and crawled toward her.“You’re okay, baby girl.You’re safe.”

When I reached her, I laid my hand on her folded arms.

“No!”she exploded, skittering backward.

The look in her eyes crushed me.“I’d never hurt you, baby.”

Training her wide, wary eyes on my face, she stilled.

The sound of shuffling came from behind me, and her eyes filled with fear once more.

I had to pull my shit together before I buried the fucker.

I sat down with my back to her and rested my forearms on my knees, watching as my childhood friend dragged himself up to his feet.

My voice began calm but turned into a snarl.“I came to pick up Jenny, arriving late, to find her backed into a corner with your fucking mouth on her throat, attention she definitely didn’t want.When I confronted you, you punched me in the face.I protected myself and her.You want to report it?Go the fuck ahead.”

He touched his finger to his nose, wincing.“What am I supposed to say to my wife?”

“I’m sure you’re used to lying to her.Fair warning.I see that sweet, pretty woman?I’ll be clearing up any misunderstandings.”

He stared back at me, then turned narrowed eyes to Jenny.

“I wouldn’t,” I advised quietly, still seated.“And if I find any blood out front, I’ll drag you back to clean it.”

He sent me an appraising look.

I grinned.“You won’t like that.”

“You’re fucked,” he said.“You know that?”

“Most likely,” I replied genially.“Keep that in mind and stay out of Moose Lake.You see Jenny in Peppergrove, you fucking run in the opposite direction, you hear me?”