Page 35 of Pretending with the Mountain Man
Uncertainty flickers across Jason's face before his expression hardens. "No one will believe you over me. Not in Toronto."
"We're not in Toronto." Malik's voice is soft but carries weight. "In Crimson Hollow, we protect our own."
"And what are you going to do?" Jason challenges, looking Malik up and down. "Beat me up? That would look great in court."
Malik smiles, and there's nothing warm in it. "I don't need to touch you. I just need to call Jake Winters, head of security at Club Crimson, who happens to be monitoring your PI friend's movements. Or Noah Kane, whose family owns half this town, including the hotel where you're staying. Or Silas McCrae, thelawyer who's building a case against your family for insurance fraud and harassment."
The color drains from Jason's face as Malik continues.
"But that's just business. Personally, I'd like to introduce you to Sage Harris, my daughter, who works at Bean & Bloom Café, where everyone in town gets their coffee and shares their gossip. Or Jordyn Kane McCrae, who sits on the school board that hired Melody and happens to be married to the lawyer I mentioned. Or perhaps the dozen or so security personnel who've been watching you since you crossed the town line."
Malik takes a single step forward, and Jason retreats. "And that’s not even mentioning what I’d do to you if they gave me the opportunity. Crimson Hollow isn't Toronto, Mr. Mills. Your family name means nothing here. Your connections can't help you. And your money can't buy you out of the trouble you're in."
"Are you threatening me?" Jason's voice wavers despite his attempt at bravado.
"I'm educating you." Malik's tone is almost conversational now. "Melody is under my protection. Under this town's protection. If you or your PI friend so much as look at her wrong, you'll find yourself facing criminal charges for harassment, stalking, and filing false insurance claims."
The reality of his situation seems to dawn on Jason. His gaze shifts to me, searching for the frightened, malleable woman he once controlled. Instead, he finds me standing tall, chin raised, unafraid.
"You've changed," he says, accusation in his tone.
"I've found my strength." I move to stand beside Malik, not behind him. "And people who value me for who I am, not what they can make me into."
Malik's hand finds mine, our fingers intertwining in a silent statement of unity. Jason's eyes track the movement, his lips thinning.
"This isn't over," he warns, but the threat sounds hollow.
"It is," Malik counters. "You're leaving town first thing tomorrow. Your PI friend is following you. And neither of you will contact Melody again. If you do, the consequences will be immediate and severe."
Jason glances between us, calculating his options and finding them limited. "Fine. Keep the damn ring. It's not worth the trouble."
"Goodbye, Jason," I say quietly. "Don't come back."
He turns to leave, but Malik's voice stops him at the door. "Oh, and Mills? I'm not her bodyguard or her sugar daddy." His arm slides around my waist, pulling me against his side. "I'm the man who loves her, and I don’t play around with the people I love. So, fuck with her again and find out what that means."
The declaration sends warmth flooding through me, chasing away the last chill of fear. Jason's face twists with impotent rage before he storms out, slamming the door behind him.
For a moment, we stand in silence, listening to his car start and gravel crunch as he drives away. Then Malik turns to me, his expression softening.
"You okay?"
I nod, still processing what just happened. "You said you love me."
His hands come up to frame my face, thumbs brushing my cheeks. "I do. Is that okay?"
"More than okay." I rise on my toes, pressing my lips to his. "I love you too."
His arms wrap around me, lifting me off my feet as he deepens the kiss. When we finally part, both breathless, he rests his forehead against mine.
"No more hiding," he says. "No more pretending this isn't real."
"No more," I agree. "I don't care what people say."
Morning arriveswith sunlight streaming through the windows. After calling Jake to confirm Jason has checked out of his hotel and left town, Malik makes breakfast while I prepare for school. The routine feels domestic, comfortable, as if we've been doing this for years instead of days.
"Ready?" he asks as I gather my teaching materials.
"Almost." I straighten my blouse and smooth my skirt. "How do I look? Professional enough?"
