Page 81 of Mountain Mens' Curvy Obsession

“If there were anything remotely civilized about you, maybe,” Nico replies.

Leo gives me a long look. There’s no affection in those dead eyes, only contempt, hatred, and lust for control, certainly not for me as a woman.

“Very well, Mr. Hayes,” he says. “But you have something of mine.”

“She’s not a thing and she’s not yours,” Nico growls.

Leo merely smirks. “She was promised to me by her father long ago, therefore, she is mine.”

Nico grunts, his grip on his handgun tightening. If I could scream, I would, but I’m paralyzed with fear, even in Nico’s shadow.

“She’s not chattel. She’s a human being who can make her own decisions.”

His men give us nonchalant smirks, but they seem as dead-eyed as their boss, ready to follow orders with no regard for the rule of law.

“Mr. Hayes, Anya is my fiancée, and she belongs with me,” Leo insists.

“She is not your property,” Nico replies. “And last I heard, the engagement was broken off a couple of years ago.”

Leo takes a step forward. I see the crack in his mask. This man isn’t used to not getting his way, but what ticks him off the most is when others do not fear him. He thrives on the fear of others.

Nico clicks the safety off his gun. “Not another step, Sokolov.”

“Or what?” one of his goons replies, lips twisted in contempt.

“I was there,” I cut in with a trembling voice, looking directly at Leo. “I saw you.”

“Excuse me? Saw me where? Forget all of this nonsense, Anya, I just need you home, safe,” he says, once again smiling without his eyes.

I cannot let him back me into a corner ever again. I’m tired of running from him.

“I saw you at the Dalton Festival. You were there. You gave the order. You fired those shots. I saw you, but you didn’t see me. So, no, Leo. I’m not going anywhere with you.”

He stills, wavering for the longest second.

“You’re better off turning around and walking out of here a free man,” Nico says. “You are not welcome in Seeley Lake.”

“Do I look intimidated by a small town?”

“No, but you will be once you realize how grossly you’ve underestimated us.”

Sirens blare nearby, and they grow louder with each passing second until I catch glimpses of red and blue lights flashing somewhere to the right. As if instantly activated, Leo’s men huddle closer together, nervously looking around.

“The local sheriff doesn’t take kindly to goons trying to intimidate his constituents, Mr. Sokolov. Your days on the outside of a prison are already numbered,” Nico says, raising his voice over the incoming sirens. “Do you really want to spend what’s left of your freedom in a county jail?”

Leo gives me a hard look. “You’re coming home with me, Anya, one way or another.”

“Go to hell,” I hiss and take a step back.

Before Mills even gets out of his car, Leo and his men jump into their two SUVs and speed out of the parking lot, almost clipping a deputy in a tight swerve. As soon as they’re out of sight, I feel as though I’m able to breathe again.

“Oh, God,” I gasp.

Nico puts his gun away and turns to face me. “Are you okay?”

“I think so.”

“What the hell was that?” Mills barks as he runs up the stairs, one hand glued to his holstered weapon.

---