Only Mine (Honey Mountain #5)(35)

He picked up a chicken finger and bit off the top. “It’s a deep-fried, frozen, battered piece of shitty chicken. There’s nothing high buck about this.”

“And who do we have here?” the friend of Seb’s said as they both approached. He looked me up and down like I was his next meal. I rolled my eyes because that tactic never worked on me, nor did I imagine that any woman enjoyed being ogled by a douchekabob.

“None of your fucking business, that’s who,” Wolf hissed, moving closer so his shoulder was in front of mine.

Of course, my only concern was the fact that the sliders were teetering on the plate that he was holding. Have I not been beyond clear that I can take care of myself?

I reached for the slider on top and took a bite as I glanced over at the asshole that Wolf was spewing his venom toward.

“I see you’re as pleasant as ever, Wolf. You still with the SEALs?”

“None of your fucking business. Are you still trying to drag my brother into your bullshit?”

“Wolf,” Sebastian groaned. “Can you just be nice?”

“Come on, buddy, we’re old friends. Let’s put that shit behind us.”

“Well, Dez, the problem is that you nearly got my brother arrested with your drug-dealing bullshit. My mother lost a whole lot of sleep over that stunt, and that’s not something I’m okay with.”

“Wrong place. Wrong time.” Dez shrugged. “Besides, your father has access to the best attorneys, and it all worked out. I got slapped with a warning, and Seb walked away clean. No harm. No foul.”

“I don’t live in gray areas. You had my brother in a car that you were using to move whatever the fuck product it was you were moving, and you got pulled over. If you didn’t have rich parents of your own, you wouldn’t be here right now, and he wouldn’t have been able to finish school. So, save me the no-harm, no-foul bullshit. You fuck with my brother again and I promise you, I will fuck you up three times over. You got me?”

Holy hot Navy SEAL.

This man radiated power and strength, and I was here for it.

It didn’t even matter that he was a pompous ass most of the time.

The way he stepped up for his family—I loved it.

I related to it.

I’d kill for my sisters any day of the week.

It looks like Wolf and I have something in common after all.

Sebastian’s gaze softened toward his brother, and he nodded. “I love you, brother. But that was a long time ago. Dez isn’t into that shit anymore. It’s all good now, all right? Can we just be civil and enjoy the game?”

“Fuck yeah. Open bar and good food. Bring on the honeys, and we’re all set,” Dez said, his eyes landing on me, and he appeared completely unphased that he’d just been threatened.

“Listen, Mr. No Harm, No Foul. Don’t use the term ‘honeys’ and look at me when you do so. You need to read the room a bit better than that. Are you picking up what I’m putting down?” I raised a brow, and Wolf’s hand grazed mine as he stood right beside me, and it felt like his finger was intentionally stroking the back of my hand.

“What is it you’re putting down, beautiful?” He smiled like that word was going to win him some points. “Wait. Are you two together? Damn, dude. I’m sorry. I totally missed it.”

“Walk away, now.” Wolf’s tone was lethal. It surprised me that he didn’t deny we were together, but he’d clearly had enough.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. I got you, man.”

Sebastian shot me an apologetic look, and they moved away from us.

I reached for my plate, still sitting on the buffet table, and looked up at him. “Are you okay? He really got to you, huh?”

“I’m fine. Just stay the fuck away from him. He’s trouble.”

“You don’t say? I couldn’t tell from how friendly you just were.” I chuckled as we made our way over to Everly, and I handed her a plate.

“Thank you. The game is about to start.” She set the plate on the little table in front of her and rubbed her hands together.

“Enjoy the game.” Wolf handed me the other plate and sauntered off.

And it pissed me off that I was sorry to see him go.

But then the buzzer rang, and I focused on hockey.

And Hawk.

And my sister squeezed my hand as we both jumped to our feet every time the Lions had the puck.

But every single time I glanced over, I found Wolf’s eyes on me.

And I didn’t mind it one bit.





fourteen





Wolf





Avoiding Dylan Thomas had become more challenging than most of the torturous drills I’d been put through as a SEAL.

She was a fucking force, and the pull toward her grew stronger than ever with each passing day.

Seeing the way Dez looked at her nearly had me losing control. I was pissed at Seb for even allowing that toxic piece of shit to be near any of us. But that was my brother for you. He wanted to believe everyone was good and that everyone deserved a second chance.

I didn’t buy into that bullshit.

I’d seen evil, and I knew it didn’t deserve a second chance.

And Dez Lawson was not a good guy.

Not then and not now.