Page 89 of Property of Legend

"Why now?"she barks."Why come here now?"

"Because you’re my Horse Princess.And I don’t care if this whole goddamn town hates me, I needed you to know."

She looks away.

I turn.

I’m halfway out the goddamn entrance when that polished prick opens his goddamn mouth.

“Always nice when the trash takes itself out,” Sam Worthington says behind me, real slick-like.“No wonder she chose peace over...Hel… Heck.”

I stop cold.

Laughter from the other guests fades to whispers.I don’t turn around right away.I just stare at the archway like it’s the only thing holdin’ me back from murder.

Then I pivot, slow.

He’s standin’ by the punch bowl, one arm still around Sophie like he wants to mark her in front of me.She’s stiff beside him.Her eyes don’t meet mine.

I give her a look.One last time.

She turns her head.

That’s all I need.

I close the distance in three strides, fists ready, the roar in my ears.

“You got somethin’ you wanna say to me, rich boy?”I growl.

Sam’s smile doesn’t move.But his hand on Sophie’s waist tightens, like he’s makin’ a point.

But she steps away from him.Leavin’ him alone with me.

“Yeah,” he says.“I said she don’t want to be queen of your doublewide trailer.And I don't blame her.She outgrew your brand of crazy, Legend.”

“What did you just say about me?”

“What we all know.The monster Sophie said she saw?”He laughs at her.“The only monster in these parts is you and your kind.”

I hit him.

Hard.

My fist smashes into that arrogant jaw of his with a crack so loud it silences the whole fuckin’ party.Glasses clink.Somebody shrieks.He staggers backward, slams into the table, and the fancy-ass engagement cake tilts, lands frosting-first into his chest.

He don’t get up right away.

I step over him, lean down real low.Grab a piece of the cake off his suit and take a bite.

“You don’t talk about her like that.Not now.Not ever.”

He groans, blood at the corner of his mouth.

I straighten, shoulders rollin’.

Then I turn to Sophie.

She’s pale.Shakin’.But her eyes burn when they meet mine.

---