Page 11 of Resisting Fate
“Hailey, go,” Josh ordered. “Back to the party.”
Hailey’s jaw dropped.
Clarissa appeared in the foyer. “Josh, what’s going on?”
Josh’s attention was riveted on Hailey. “Now.”
Hailey lifted her chin. “I will not. I’m going on a tour with Blake.”
Josh’s voice dropped, low and menacing. “No, you’re not.”
“I’ll take care of this,” Blake said, heading straight for Josh.
Josh held his ground, feet shoulder width apart, body tense in clear battle mode. The two men were equally matched in size, but Josh was far more dangerous.
The few lingering people in the foyer cleared out fast, probably because the men were circling each other and they didn’t want to get caught in the fray. Hailey remained on the stairs, her gaze locked on Josh. Clarissa watched Josh too, one hand over her mouth, most likely concerned about how much trouble Josh would get in for damaging Blake.
Blake shoved Josh. In a flash, Josh had him pinned flat on his back, his knee in Blake’s chest.
Blake’s face was a mottled red. “One swing and I will sue you for everything you’re worth!”
Josh got off him and took a step back. “Wouldn’t get much.”
Blake scrambled to his feet, his lip curling. “What do you want with Hailey?” He gestured toward Clarissa. “You’ve already got a hot piece—”
Josh slammed him against the wall. Blake struggled like mad to get free.
“Josh!” Clarissa and Hailey exclaimed in near unison.
Josh threw Blake to the side. “Stay away from her.”
Blake stumbled and straightened. “Which her? Can’t decide? Let me make it easy.” He came back at Josh, swinging. Josh didn’t try to duck or block the punch; instead he rammed into Blake, taking him to the ground. Fists flew—the men a blur of motion.
Lexi muttered, “I’ll get Jake,” and ran off to find Josh’s identical twin. Smart. Jake could get through to him.
Missy bit her lip. They needed a couple of strong guys to pull these two apart. She glanced around, and the front door opened. Ben and Logan, Josh’s youngest brother, stepped inside.
“Guys!” she called urgently. “Break them up before someone gets hurt.”
“Shit,” Logan said. “Is that Josh?”
“Yes!” Missy exclaimed. “And Blake Grenier!”
He and Ben rushed forward to break them up. Ben headed for Josh, and just before he could grab him, Logan hollered, “Not from behind!”
Too late. Ben put a hand on Josh’s shoulder from behind, Josh grabbed Ben’s hand, twisted, and then Ben was flat on his ass. “It’s me!” Ben shouted as Josh loomed over him. “Ben!”
Josh quickly backed off, low and scanning the room for more threats, a warrior in battle, his eyes deadly calm. Blake was on the floor at Logan’s feet. Threat neutralized.
Logan looked down at Blake. “You’re lucky he wasn’t serious about kicking your ass.”
Blake flushed bright red and stood, knocking Logan’s shoulder before leaving, slamming the front door behind him.
Lexi rushed in with Jake, who approached Josh, speaking quietly to him. Their heads together, the twins were nearly indistinguishable. Josh shook his head. Jake kept talking until Josh shrugged him off and pulled away.
Clarissa crossed her arms and announced, “I want to go home.”
Josh went over to her. “I’m fine. I’m calming down.”
