Page 70 of Score on You

My protective instincts roar to the surface, ready to maim and defend against the threat. I stalk forward to place myself between him and Callie. The customer’s rant cuts off at my interruption. His eyes bulge in recognition. He gulps audibly and stumbles backward.

“Done bitching and moaning so soon?” My muscles bunch and flex, itching for a fight.

The dude is still dumbfounded. His gaze tracks over my height like I’m a giant. Might as well be considering how puny he is.

“Not so tough now, huh? Found yourself an adequate opponent. C’mon, let me hear what you’ve got to say.” I lean in and cup my ear.

He lifts a trembling palm as if that will stave off my attack. “I’ve got no beef with you, Crusher.”

“No? That’s interesting,” I seethe. “The way I see it is that you’ve just given me a reason to kick your ass.”

His knees look ready to buckle. “What? Why?”

“Give my girl trouble and you’ve just created a war with me.” My even voice is a deception.

Meanwhile, his face shakes and cracks into broken shards. “Your girl?”

“Damn fucking straight. That’s my future wife you’re disrespecting.”

Callie gasps, which is the first peep she’s made since I entered. The asshole appears to be equally as shocked by my claim. His complexion turns ashen while he blanches.

“Shit,” he mutters. His palm lifts higher to act as a shield. “I had no idea, man.”

“Her connection to me shouldn’t matter.”

“But—”

Thunder booms across my expression and cuts him off. The urge to throttle him is a rabid beast inside of me. “Does verbally attacking an innocent woman make you feel bigger? Is your dick that tiny?”

He sputters. “My dog got hurt under her care—or lack thereof.”

I don’t spare the hound loyally sitting at his heels a glance. “That gives you the excuse to make her cry? Nah, wrong answer.”

If possible, his eyes get bigger. “I was filing a formal complaint. It’s not my fault she’s sensitive.”

Menace echoes off the floor when I shift to crowd his space. “Are you trying to make me mad?”

“Aren’t you already?”

My chuckle is devoid of emotion, taunting him. “The fact you’re still standing in one piece answers that stupid question.”

His pinched lips remind me of a puckered butthole, which almost earns him a genuine laugh. “What about Daisy Mae? Her ear is bleeding.”

“Don’t be a shit human. You signed a waiver. There are policies in place for this exact reason. Take your mutt to the vet like a proper owner.”

He straightens as if regaining his backbone. “She’s a purebred.”

“That’s what you got from what I said?” I growl under my breath. “If you’ve got a problem, take it up with me. Next time you wanna snivel and whine, let me know. I’ll introduce you to my fists. Unless you’d prefer a proper greeting now.”

He winces as I crack my knuckles. “That won’t be necessary.”

“You sure? It’s been too long since I’ve knocked someone’s teeth out. A broken nose is a decent alternative. Might fix the smug slope you use to look down at everyone else. There’s something satisfying about that crunch of bone.”

“Now you’re just trying to intimidate me.”

I wag a scolding finger at him. “We both know I don’t have to try. But I suggest you get the fuck out before we test that theory.”

“Messaged received. Let’s just forget this happened.”

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