Page 26 of Her Cowboy Santa
“If that’s true, then I want my rings back.”
Her voice shakes with righteous outrage. “The wedding band and engagement ring were mine since you gifted them to me. As it was my property, I sold them to pay the hospital bills for the birth of my son who you abandoned.”
This fucker has a set on him. Callie told me he’s never called to check on his son or how he’s doing. The way he could just walk out on his wife and child is disgusting.
“You’re a lying cunt,” Corey says.
I grab him by the collar and shove him against the wall so hard his head bounces off of it.
In a voice that’s cold steel, I ask, “What did you just call my woman?”
“Do you have any idea how much that jewelry was worth?” he wheezes.
“Do you know how little your life is worth to me?” I counter. I’ve never been prone to violence without good reason, and this monster I’m holding, well, his existence is good reason enough.
“You wouldn’t?—”
“You, dumb fuck. You don’t get it. I’ve searched my whole life for a woman as amazing as Callie. I’d never let her slip through my fingers.”
He gives me the smile I hate. It’s what I heard called the bro smile once, guys that think because they look down on women that every other man does too. “Oh, I see what she’s done. She’s made you think I’m the bad guy. Well, let me tell you about this little whore?—”
He doesn’t get the rest of the words out because there’s a spray of blood and a satisfying crack as my knuckles connect with his nose. He yelps, and I release him so he can collapse onto the floor.
“Do you have any idea what you just did?” He demands, clutching at his face.
Callie steps closer to me, and I instinctively put my arm around her shoulders, drawing her even closer.
“I don’t know who you were talking about,” I say, “but this woman is my wife. She’s my whole damn world. Now, if you don’t want to spend the rest of your life shitting in a bag, I’d advise you get the fuck out of here and never contact her again.”
“I’ll sue her for the ring,” he insists, his voice coming out in a nasally tone.
Callie looks down at him. Her features aren’t twisted with anger or hatred like I expected. Instead, there’s only pity on her face as she says, “And who’s going to pay for that lawyer? We both know you wouldn’t be here if mommy and daddy hadn’t finally cut you off.”
“Just give it to me,” he pleads, defeat finally crossing his features. Underneath his eyes are already turning purple and his nose has a knot that’s rapidly swelling. It brings me some satisfaction to know he won’t be able to sleep comfortably for the next few weeks.
I reach for him, and he flinches. Fucker isn’t just a big talker. He’s a coward too.
I grab his shoulder and haul him to his feet. “Say you’re sorry to my wife, and you get to walk out of here. Don’t say it, and you’ll spend the next six months in traction.”
He drops his gaze to the floor. “S-sorry.”
“Like you mean it,” I grit out. “Or your wrist is next. It sucks when you can’t even wipe your own ass.”
“I’m sorry.” He whimpers. “Don’t let him hurt me. I didn’t do anything.”
“Except walk out on the most beautiful woman in the world and her child,” I mutter. I won’t even acknowledge Danny as his. In my mind, he’s nothing but a sperm donor.
She sighs, her voice weary. “Just go, and don’t come back.”
“Are you sure?” I ask softly, already knowing she’s going to grant him mercy. Not because he deserves it but because of who she is. I’m in awe of her strength and dignity, of the way she’s carried on with her life despite what this scumbag did to her.
“He’s threatened me! You heard him! He’s going to hurt me.”
She blows out a breath. “Then I suggest you leave before he can.”
It’s all I need to hear. I propel him out the door and down the porch. “You’re lucky. If she’d wanted your head, I would have given it to her.”
He swallows audibly. “I owe a lot of people money.”
