Roped In (Armed & Dangerous, #2)(27)

“That bitch would’ve loved it,” he chided. “I can just imagine, lifting that little dress of hers and f*cking her raw. I think I’ll go for it next time, she doesn’t know how good she could have it.”

Everything inside me snapped. I wanted to be the bigger man and walk away, but I couldn’t. Instead, I tackled him to the ground, pounding my fists into his face. Blood spurt out of his nose, but it wasn’t enough. He needed to pay, to get it through his f*cking head he was never going to touch her again.

“Evans, stop!” a voice yelled. Three pairs of hands pried me away. Tyla’s friend, Sebastian, let me go. “What the f*ck? Are you trying to kill him?”

“No, but he’s going to wish I did.” Mitch, Liam, and Michael all kept a hold of my arms while Singleton laid on the ground, whimpering. I backed away willingly, allowing Trent’s friends to check on him.

“He’s okay,” Jacob shouted, helping Trent to his feet. He was one of Trent’s friends and the same size as me, but he didn’t dare intervene. It was because everyone knew Singleton was a f*cking douche. Jacob helped Trent into the car and they sped away. As soon as they were gone, it was like nothing ever happened. Everyone went back into the bar, except my friends.

“At least you took it outside,” Mitch laughed.

The other guys laughed too, but it was no joking matter. I hated guys like Singleton. He was lucky I didn’t kill him. He needed to be taught a lesson.

Making my way inside, I barreled into the bathroom to wash up. Hadley didn’t need to see me all messed up. I hissed as the soap burned my busted skin, but I scrubbed my hands clean anyway. Closing my eyes, I splashed the cold water onto my face and leaned against the sink. My adrenaline was too high. All I could hear was the pounding of my pulse in my ear; until the door opened that was, and then I heard her voice.

“Are you okay?” I didn’t have to see her face to know she was pissed.

I glanced up at her reflection in the mirror, her arms were crossed, lips set in a firm line. “I’m fine. You ready to go?”

“Past ready.” Turning on her heel, she tore the door open and stalked out.

When I followed her out, Tyla stood just outside and patted my arm apologetically. “Good luck.”

I watched Hadley march to the front door. “Thanks. I’m gonna need it.”

We walked in silence to the truck, but I knew the lashing was about to commence. And sure enough, as soon as we were on the road back, she started full force.

“Was kicking his ass necessary? I had already handled the situation.”

“He was hoping you’d f*ck him, Hadley. He targeted you on purpose.”

“Who cares? I wouldn’t let his dick get near my worst enemy. I was perfectly fine.”

“How do you know?” I shouted, turning a serious glare her way. “What if he pushed you into the bathroom and raped you? Do you think you would’ve been fine then? He said he would try you again. I had to make sure he wouldn’t.”

She opened her mouth to speak, but then closed it. The rest of the ride home was silent, but it at least looked like she understood my reasoning, maybe. She was a female, so probably not, but I hoped for the best.

When we got back to the ranch, she went straight to the kitchen and pounded a glass of water. I sat down at the bar, but she had her back to me. “I didn’t want him touching you, Hadley. I was walking away from the fight and I lost my temper. Just hearing his threat of coming after you again threw me over the edge.”

Sighing, she placed the glass in the sink and slowly turned around. “I understand, Blake. I didn’t realize he had done that. Have you two always hated each other?”

“It’s complicated.”

She snorted. “Let me guess, it involves a girl?”

“Yeah, but it’s history.”

“I see,” she said, taking the seat across from me. Clasping her hands on the counter, she fiddled with her thumbs. “I’m not going to lie, seeing you so angry was a little frightening. It was like you were a different person.”

“I think we all are when we get angry. Sometimes it can fuel our strength.”

“Strong emotions can also lead to irrational decisions,” she added.

I looked into her bright blue eyes. “You’re right, they can.” Which was why I wanted to stay away from her. She wanted me, and I couldn’t let her know how deep my wanting was for her. It’d be a mistake to let her in. Pushing my chair back, I stood. “I’m going to take a shower and get some sleep. You might want to drink a little more water. It’ll help with the hangover in the morning.”

She rolled her eyes. “I told you, I’m not drunk. I had a buzz earlier, but it’s gone. I promise, I’m fine.”

I didn’t believe her for a second. “Goodnight, Hadley.”

“Goodnight.”

I wanted to kiss her so f*cking bad, but I turned and marched out of the room. My dick was going to hate me once the mission was over. I’d walked away from Hadley several times and ended up with the worst case of blue balls. Why couldn’t I shut everything off and just f*ck her and not think about her anymore?

Once in my room, I kicked the door shut and went straight to the shower. A couple of my knuckles were split open but they didn’t hurt anymore. It could’ve been the adrenaline talking. I took a long, hot shower until the aching feeling in my muscles surfaced. The room was full of steam and when I opened the door, it billowed out . . . that’s when something on my bed caught my attention.