Page 78 of Cowboy's Last Stand
“Yes.”
She understood that he wanted to drive her to and from the bar for safety reasons, as well as for his own convenience.She climbed into the passenger seat as Jason got behind the wheel.His tall, rangy form wasn’t suited for the cramped space.They made the trip in silence.
“Marcus wants to kill Billy with his slingshot,” she said after he parked.
“He told you that?”
“Yes.”
He arched a brow.“He’ll have to improve his aim first.”
“It’s not funny.He heard us arguing.”
“We can’t always agree.”
“Wecandiscuss things calmly, without threats of violence.”
He mulled over her criticism with a cool expression.She expected him to see the light and apologize.He didn’t.“I think my response was warranted.”
“Do you?”
“I’m not going to sugarcoat everything.People argue, sometimes passionately.It’s not a crime for me to feel protective toward you.”
“It is a crime to kill someone over a flat tire.”
His hands clenched around the steering wheel.“I didn’t say I’d kill him.”
“You said he wouldn’t walk away.”
“You’re worried about what I said.I’m worried about what he’lldo.”
“I’m worried about my son, who wants to be exactly like you!”she cried.
Jason went quiet, his brows drawn together.It was clear that he didn’t want to have a heated discussion in the bar parking lot.He glanced around to confirm they were alone.“I’ll talk to Marcus,” he said finally.“I’ll make sure he understands the concept of saying something in the heat of the moment.”
She gave him a doubtful look.She’d heard him threaten Billy with bodily harm twice now, and he’d sounded serious both times.“Does that mean you’re not going to Billy’s house to break his legs?”
He sighed heavily.“I suppose that would be too extreme.”
She was relieved by this admission, though his wistful tone concerned her.He had a violent side, and he seemed eager to unleash it.He’d been able to control himself—so far.But what about next time?Billy might continue his small-town terror campaign.
“I know you’d rather avoid conflict, but we can’t let this slide,” Jason said.“It sends the wrong message.I warned him to stay away from you.”
“I’m not letting it slide,” she returned.“I’m reporting him to the police.”
“His brother.”
“Yes.”
Jason stared stonily into the distance.
“Just promise me you won’t go after him tonight,” Natalie said.
“I won’t go after him tonight,” Jason agreed.“But you should realize something.If I’m going to be your man, you have to let me take care of you.”
They exchanged a weighted glance.His eyes were dark and sincere, his features chiseled.Dangerous or not, he was devastatingly handsome.Her stomach fluttered at the thought of him being her man.
“I don’t need a caretaker, and I definitely don’t need a vigilante.”
