Page 8 of Defender

I have no fucking clue what kind of shit this kid is talking, but he’s about to die if he keeps it up.

My brows narrow, and I step toward him with my fists balled. “Kid, you’ve got one minute to get the fuck off this shoreline or we’re gonna have problems.”

The kid shakes his head and grins, stalking back and forth as his little friends stand back watching. “What problem is that, old man? You’re gonna hurt me? Come on… I’d like to see you try.”

I almost think the kid must be high. He’s got confidence like he is. I’d say he’s five foot nine, one hundred and fifty pounds soaking wet, and he’s got bitch boy hands. There’s no competition here. I could take him and his friends down easily.

I laugh. “Kid, walk away or get hurt. Your choice. Either way, you come near my girl again and I’ll fuckin’ kill you.”

Zoe tugs at my arm. “Can we go? I want to go.”

The kid grins wide and menacingly. “Zoe, did you tell him your secret, or are you going to surprise him with it, like you did me?”

Whatever Zoe has or hasn’t told me is her own business. She doesn’t owe me anything and I really hate that this little prick is acting like she does. I step forward, grab him by the shirt, and land a solid punch square in his jaw before I put two into his ribs. Blood drips from his nose and slides down his chin as his soft dick friends run off into the woods, leaving him behind.

“You stupid fuck,” the kid yells, pushing his hat back as he stumbles away from me. “You’re gonna be in so much shit. My uncle’s a cop.”

“Cool. When you call him, you might wanna ask him to teach you how to fight.”

He runs off into the woods, and I highly doubt I’ll ever hear from his cop uncle, though I hope I do. I’ve got an earful to give the guy.

“You okay?” I turn back toward Zoe who’s wrapped her arms around herself as she shivers. Shit. I really need to get her out of this cold.

“Yeah, I’m good. Can we, ugh, can we go somewhere warm? We should probably talk.”

“I’ll talk to you all night long,” I say, kissing the top of her head before lifting her into my arms, “but whatever secrets that kid’s talking about, you don’toweme anything.”

She drags in a deep breath and lets it out slowly as she lays her head against my chest. “I think I do owe you this one.”

Chapter Five

Zoe

I’ve never felt more embarrassed, and I once tripped over a rock in front of my crush and went rolling down a hill into a puddle of mud. I was in seventh grade, and I never lived it down. Everyone who saw the event reminded me of it every chance they got, and I could never look the cute boy in the eye again. That’s nearly traumatizing for a thirteen-year-old girl and this… tonight… was worse.

Who the hell does my ex think he is, and why does he get off on hurting me? I’ll never understand it or what I saw in him.

Gunner lands his hand on my thigh as he points his truck toward town. “You okay? That was pretty rough.”

“Yeah. I, ugh, I’m sorry you had to deal with all that.”

An hour ago, I felt like the sexiest woman alive. For the first time in my life, I felt wanted, desired, and beautiful. A tear streaks down my face. Now, I feel like the truth has been revealed,

The curtain has fallen, reality is here, and Gunner can see me for everything I am. I wipe away a tear and then another, trying not to feel sorry for myself, but that sentiment hasn’t been easy the past few years. “I should really tell you something.”

“I told you,” his big, rough hand landing on my thigh, “it’s okay. You don’t have to—”

“I need to.” I bite the inside of my cheek, gathering my strength as my phone buzzes in my back pocket. Whatever it is can wait. Twisting my hair to the side, I let out the breath I’ve been holding. “Five years ago, I was in an accident. My dad and I were driving out to the Springs for a trade show. He collected old comic books, and I liked going because he always stopped at this restaurant on the way that served these giant pancakes.” My heart beats faster. “We’d almost made it to the café when a tractor trailer lost control and cut into our lane, pushing Dad’s truck across the highway and into the side of the mountain.” Tears fall down my face one after the other. “My father died that day with his hand across my chest, trying to protect me from impact. He, ugh, he was a rancher and the best dad I could’ve ever asked for.”

“Honeybee,” his strong hand squeezes my thigh in comfort, “that’s awful. Were you hurt?”

I drag in a deep breath and let it out slowly as I roll up the bottom of my soaking pants exposing the metal peg that stands in place of my leg. “My right leg got crushed. They couldn’t save it.” I swallow hard, talking past the lump in my throat as the full moon filters light into the truck. “I don’t talk about it at all. I was seventeen at the time and it took years for me to adjust to it. Fast forward to dating that guy on the beach. He was the kind of guy who didn’t ask a lot of questions, and I didn’t offer up much about myself. We weren’t close, but he was one of the few people who didn’t know about my accident. Anyway, one night, he started touching me like he wanted to have sex. I wasn’t ready, but I went with it because I was tired, and I wanted to feel something. I tried to hide my peg, but he saw it and made a huge deal out of the whole thing. He called me a liar and started calling me‘Peggy the Pirate’to anyone who’d listen.” I hang my head. “That was my first time ever… almost having sex.” I shrug. “I haven’t tried again since. At least until earlier with you.”

“Jesus Christ.” His fist balls around the wheel of the truck. “I want to fuckin’ kill this guy now.”

“It’s okay… he’s not all wrong. I should’ve told him about my leg. I’m weird and—”

“You’re not weird!” Gunner growls. “You’re beautiful. You know how many of my buddies lost their legs, or their arms, or God knows what else overseas? So fuckin’ many. And yes, it’s hard, and it’s an adjustment mentally, emotionally, physically, the whole thing, but they’re alive… and that’s huge.”

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