Page 83 of Truly

“Oh, is that how it is?” Tom asks, standing taller.

Luke grins. “That’s how it is.”

“Okay then,” Tom says, switching his gaze to me. “Enjoy your life being a little whore—fuck!”

He barely gets the word out when Luke grabs him by the front of his shirt and headbutts him in the nose. Blood runs down Tom’s face, mixing with the tears that come automatically.

Shit.My hands fly to my mouth as Tom tries to regain his composure. Luke stares at him like a predator about to strike its prey.

“You asshole!” Tom shouts, backing down the stairs.

Luke matches him step for step. His back is flexed, his shoulders taut.

The redhead runs to their truck and jumps inside.

“You can’t do that,” Dad shouts, clawing at any shred of control he can find.

“He just fucking did.” Troy again grabs Dad by the back of his shirt and drags him to the truck. “It would be best if I didn’t see you again. Do you understand?”

Tom stands at the side of the truck, trying frantically to get the bleeding to stop.

“I really hope we’ve made ourselves clear,” Luke says, walking up to him. “But if you ever need a refresher course, let me know.”

“Fuck you,” Tom says, giving up and letting the blood flow down his face. “Fuck you both.”

He grabs his door handle and yanks it open.

“One last thing,” Troy says, grinning. “I have this all on camera from my car. If you want to pull any shit, take it up with Landry Security’s attorneys.”

Tom gives me one final glare before getting into the truck. My dad starts it up, revving the engine in some childish display of aggression, and then rips it down Luke’s driveway.

I exhale, my shoulders falling forward. Luke is at my side in a second. His arms go around me, holding me tight.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

“I am now.”

He squeezes me, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.

“If anyone asks, I headbutted Tom,” Troy says, heading back to his car.

Luke releases me. “What do you mean?”

“Weren’t you recording it?” I ask, confused. “Wouldn’t they see that it was Luke?”

Troy opens his door and leans against it. “Seems like my camera wasn’t on.” He winks at us and then takes his seat. “I’ll sit up here for a while. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Thank you, Troy,” I say.

He pauses, leaning his head out of the car. “Do me a favor, Laina.”

“Anything.”

“Stop being so damn stubborn. The next time the people who love you decide you need protection, fucking just take it.”

I laugh as Luke nudges me from the side.

“Lesson learned,” I say.