Page 35 of Wrecked for Love
I glanced over my shoulder and saw him—a man I didn’t recognize. And around here, that was rare.
“Hey there,” he called out, catching up to me, his voice too casual for comfort.
“Hey,” I replied, hoping that would be the end of it.
“I’m Armand,” he said, flashing a grin that reeked of a playboy trying way too hard to sell what no one was buying.“People call me Little Vossy. But as you can see, there’s nothing little about me.” He planted a hand on his hip, making sure I noticed the tight fit of his jeans.
“Interesting,” I replied, my eyes sweeping over him. “Guys usually flaunt when they’re trying to compensate for something…well, little.”
“Ooh, you’re the feisty type!”
I gave him a quick glance before speeding up. “Have a good day.”
But he didn’t take the hint. I could hear his footsteps speeding up behind me.
“C’mon, there’s only one trail here, doll,” he slurred, his words thick with arrogance. “You see it, don’t ya? Me and you, walkin’ this path together. It’s like destiny, ya know?” His eyes slid over me, sizing me up. “What can I say? You’re the kinda broad who needs a man like me to guide her. So, what’s your name, sweetheart?”
I silently cursed myself for not bringing my gun. I’d stopped carrying it because, well, nothing ever happened around here. Now, this man was threatening to shatter my sense of normalcy.
“Look, I’d rather hike alone, please.” I tried to keep my voice polite, praying it’d be enough to make him back off.
He let out a drunken laugh, stumbling closer. “Alone? Nah, don’t be like that, sugar. A little thing like you? You need a real man to keep ya safe out here. Wouldn’t wanna get yourself lost or worse, would ya?”
He moved in closer, his breath hovering at the edge of my skin. His hand brushed against my arm before I could step away. But he didn’t just stop there. In an instant, his arm was wrapped around me.
“Piss off!” I yelled, shoving him, but he was a big guy, and all I managed was a slight nudge. He laughed, his hand slidingdown to my backside. “Fuck the hell off!” I shouted louder, but it only made him grip harder.
As he started dragging me toward the bushes, a bark echoed through the trees—Koda!
“Well, guess what, asshole? We’re not alone after all!” I drove my knee up toward his crotch. He dodged, his quick reflexes saving him—clearly not his first close call.
Then, a shadow fell across the trail—a tall figure with fury burning in his eyes.
“You heard the lady,” Elia growled, grabbing Armand—Little Vossy—by the scruff of his neck like he was a misbehaving kitten. With a single shove, Elia tossed him aside, freeing me and leaving me breathless but safe, Koda standing protectively at my side.
I sank to my knees and wrapped my arms around Koda, holding him close as Elia confronted Little Vossy.
With a well-aimed punch landing on Vossy’s mouth, Elia cornered him with a look that could cut steel. “Come near her again, and you’ll wish you hadn’t,” he warned, towering over the man and daring him to make another move.
Armand set his jaw, his bravado crumbling under Elia’s unforgiving glare. He stumbled backward, nearly tripping over himself in his haste to get away. But before he disappeared, he couldn’t resist one last shot. “Old scores never die, my friend! See you around,” he sneered, wiping blood from his split lip before disappearing down the trail.
They clearly knew each other. Not surprising in a town this size. But what kind of scores was Armand talking about?
Elia rushed to me. “Claire, are you okay?” His voice was thick with concern, and though he kept his distance, his eyes gave him away. He was desperate to check me over himself.
“I’m fine,” I assured him, though my heart felt like a pack of frozen peas.
“Did he hurt you?” He stepped closer, unable to help himself, his hands hovering near my shoulders as though he was fighting the urge to pull me into a protective hug.
“No, but my hike is officially ruined.” Somehow, I found the nerve to complain, trying to inject some humor into the moment.
“I’m sorry.” His voice softened with genuine regret.
I avoided his gaze, knowing full well that with one look into those eyes, I’d be a giddy mess. Instead, I turned my attention to Koda, who was more than happy to give me an enthusiastic lick. “I missed you too! Yes, I did!” I laughed between grimaces as his tongue attacked my face.
Then I got up, finally shifting my attention to the handsome human towering in front of me. Since he hadn’t said a word, I figured I’d restart the conversation. “So, you hike here on Sundays too?”
“Well, uh…I actually went to the shelter earlier, and Mr. Gunn said I might, uh, find you here.”
