Page 3 of Unsteady in Love

Swinging the door open, Holden was taking up the entire door frame with his big body. His legs spread wide and hands clasped onto the top of the door frame.

“What are you doing here, Holden?” I snapped.

“I came to talk. To explain myself.”

Wrapping my arms around myself to keep the chill of the cold morning air away, I glared up at him. “Did you ever think that maybe I just might be sleeping?”

“I wanted to catch up before you took off or something, so you wouldn’t have to see me,” he stated, his voice void of any emotion.

“Are you shitting me? You’ve got me confused with yourself,” I snarled out.

Crossing his own arms over his broad chest, Holden held his ground with his face set, letting me know with one stubborn look he wasn’t going to give up until I listened to what he had to say. I hated that damn look, and seeing it after all these years, I wanted to slap it off his stupid, handsome face.

“Listen, I just want to sleep and grieve. Is that too much to ask? Come by next week and we can talk then, if you insist.” Hopefully, he’d be over his need to explain why he disappeared almost four years ago.

Shaking his head, his mouth formed into a thin line. “No can do. I’ll be gone by then.”

“Oh, planning on leaving again, are you? Then don’t bother. Maybe I’ll see you in another four years.”

“Goddammit, Prue, if you’d only listen,” he growled out.

“I don’t have to listen to anything you have to say. Please just leave me alone,” I croaked out.

“Not until you listen to me.”

Rage like I’d never felt before consumed me. Why couldn’t he leave me alone? It was too much to deal with right now. Or maybe ever, if I was honest with myself.

“Get the hell off my property, Holden! You are not welcome here!” I shrieked, my whole body trembling.

“Why do you always have to be so damn stubborn? Just listen to me for two minutes. That’s all, and you never have to see me again if you don’t want to.” A growl ripped from his chest. His voice was so low and scary, I took a step back.

“You have no right to be here! I don’t want to talk to you or see you ever again! Leave like you did before, Holden. Leave!”

Crossing the yard, a tall blond man who looked like a Viking god, dressed in only a pair of pajama pants and tennis shoes, made his way toward us.

“You need to leave,” the man said with a slight accent as he came to stand in front of me. “The lady doesn’t want you here. If you don’t back off, I’ll be forced to call the police.”

Taking a step back, Holden glared at our guest. “This isn’t any of your business. I only want to talk to her.”

“She doesn’t look like she wants to talk. In fact, she looked scared when I walked up here,” the Viking said, standing tall. Protecting me. Who was this man?

Deep lines raced across Holden's forehead, his lips turning down. “Prue,” he shook his head, sorrow filling his once familiar eyes, “I would never hurt you.”

“I know,” I whispered. My vision blurred as tears welled in my eyes. “Please go, Holden. I can’t do this.”

A flash of emotion crossed his face before Holden turned around and stalked off to a car at the curb. And just like last night and all those years before, he was gone. I had a feeling it wouldn’t be the last time I saw Holden Montgomery no matter how much I didn’t want to see him again.

The Viking turned toward me with his lips tipped up in a friendly smile making him all the more good looking. “Are you okay?”

Taking a deep breath, I nodded. “Yeah, well, not really.” My brows pulled together thinking about where he’d come from. “I don’t mean to be rude, but who are you?”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” he held his hand out for me to shake. “I’m Luke Sandström. I’m Alex’s boyfriend. The yelling woke up Mason, and I came over to make sure everything was okay.”

“Shit.” I glanced over at Alex’s house. “I’m sorry I woke you up. I’m Prue, it’s nice to meet you.” I extended my hand and shook his surprisingly warm one. “Please come in for a moment and get out of the cold.”

Luke waved his hand in dismissal but followed me inside.

Closing the door, I tried my best to smile up at Luke, but I knew it looked forced. “Thank you for coming over and making sure I was okay. Alex must be happy you’re here.”

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