Page 88 of Untamed

“I don’t think you need an explanation, Sir, but I’ll–”

“Colter, don’t do this,” Mila cuts me off.

Lincoln attention snaps to his daughter, disappointment, and something else, flashing in his eyes before they return to me. “Yes, Colter. Do.”

Staring at him, I take a breath and open Pandora’s box.

“Brandon is blackmailing your daughter over her relationship with me.” The words leave my mouth before I canstop them, settling between us all. Everyone freezes. The only sound I hear is the frantic beat of my heart in my chest. Without looking away from Lincoln, I reach out, taking Mila’s hand in mine and giving it a gentle squeeze.

“What the fuck man?” Maverick snaps and I don’t have to look to know his words are directed at the asshole.

Lincoln ignores my statement, instead he stares at the hold I have on Mila. “Take your fucking hand off my daughter,” he growls, taking a threatening step toward me. But I hold firm, not releasing her despite her attempt to pull away from me. “You’re fucking done. Done.” He enunciates. “I gave you a chance when no one else would, and this is how you repay me? By going after my daughter. The same daughter I warned every single one of you sons of bitches about.” He gets right up in my face. Lincoln is a big guy and to anyone else, he might be considered intimidating. But to me? I know I could take him if it came to that.

“Daddy, stop,” Mila cries, pulling out of my hold and wedging herself between us.

“You,” he snarls. “Go back to the hotel. I’ll deal with you later.” He turns back to me, eyes burning with fury. “And as for you, I suggest you get your shit and leave. I don’t want to see your fucking face ever again.”

Clearing my throat, I force the next words out. “With all due respect, sir, I appreciate the opportunity you gave me. I didn’t set out to flout the rules you put in place. But despite that, it happened and nothing—not you, not anyone—will keep me from her. I love your daughter, Lincoln. And I understand, I’m not the kind of man you wanted for her. But she loves me, too.”

Lincolns eyes flash with fury. “Maverick, take your sister back to the hotel,” he orders.

Without hesitation Maverick steps toward us, and I wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her close.

“Mila is mine,” I rasp, my voice steady despite the anger bubbling beneath the surface.

Lincolns face contorts with disgust. “You fucking piece of felon shit. I doubt she even knows anything about you or your colorful history. If she did, no way would she even look twice at you.”

His words cut deep as self-doubt coats my skin like a veil, but I push it aside, keeping my hold on Mila. In that moment, it’s almost surreal how he’s focused on me, instead of Brandon. I understand his anger, but Brandon’s the true asshole in all of this.

In an instant, Lincoln snaps, lunging forward. I release Mila, allowing Maverick to pull her out of the line of fire. Lincoln grabs me by the collar of my shirt, shoving me backward with such force I slam into a truck. I don’t fight back. Not because I’m afraid, but because the last thing I want to do right now is hurt Mila and make our situation worse.

“Dad, stop,” Mila screams, cutting through the tension and I see her struggling in Maverick’s arms, kicking and flailing, desperate to break free.

Lincoln shoves his face in mine, spittle flying everywhere when he speaks. “Get the fuck outta here before I do something none of us can come back from. Especially you. I’ll bury you before I let you anywhere near my daughter. Again,” he adds, his body vibrating with anger.

“Lincoln stop.” A feminine voice speaks up from beside us. Lincoln tenses, his jaw clenching as he glances over at Skylar.

“This has nothing to do with you, Skylar. Stay out of it,” he rasps, his voice softening as he watches at her.

She shakes her head. “Don’t do this. Not only do we have an audience but look at your daughter. She is distraught right now.”

Both following Skylar’s line of sight, we find Mila crumpled in a heap on the ground as she sobs. Maverick bends down, scooping her up in his arms as Nova hovers near them, her face etched with concern.

“No. No. No.” Mila chokes repeatedly, her voice fading as her brother carries her toward an SUV.

Though it tears me apart to see her go, I know it’s for the best. She doesn’t need to see this. Lincoln releases me, stepping back and putting space between us. He points to me. “Go, Colter. I won’t ask you again.” He turns to glare at Brandon, his lip curling in disgust. “And you? I’ll deal with you later.”

Brandon, like the coward he is, nods before slinking away. Lincoln shoots me one final venomous look before he follows his family toward the vehicle and slides inside the driver’s seat. As much as I want to chase after Mila, I know it’s not the right time.

A soft hand on my bicep pulls me from my thoughts. Skylar’s standing next to me, her face twisted in sympathy. “Why don’t you go find a motel in town.”

“I’m not going anywhere until I know she’s okay,” I growl.

Skylar exhales, pulling out her phone. “I shouldn’t be doing this, but I know a man in love when I see one, and you’re not going to give up. Give me your number. I’ll call you when I know more.”

I nod watching her fingers move quickly across the screen as I recite my number for her. “Make sure you do. I’ll let you know where I’m staying.”

Skylar offers a faint smile, before slipping her phone into her pocket. The sudden sound of Lincoln’s voice makes us both startle. “Let’s go, Skylar.”

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