Page 81 of Her Rugged Guardian

“I know you’re running from your life in DC. I know you have an abusive boyfriend who will stop at nothing to get you back. I’d certain he’d love to know where you landed.”

The fucker was trying to get under my skin. I fisted my hands but managed to keep my smile. “Then you know my ex-boyfriend is not in my life any longer, Malcolm. His choice. Now, scuttle off to your rathole. I have a dinner date to return to.”

I stepped aside from the man, determined not to let him bother me.

“Ms. Dayne. I’d be very careful about getting on my bad side.”

I stopped short but I refused to turn around, merely tipping my head. “And here I thought you didn’t make threats. Ah, yes, you get your minions to do that for you. Don’t you?”

When he walked closer, I bristled but managed to keep from racing away. “As I said. Be very careful. There are some bad things going on in this town, heinous acts that I would hate for you to become involved in. I would hate to see you get hurt or worse, end up like your mother.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” I couldn’t help myself, spinning around and confronting him. He continued to wear thesneer on his face, the horrible lighting giving him an ominous glow. “What. Are. You. Talking. About?”

He took a deep breath, daring to step closer. The stench of his cologne made me nauseous. “All I’m saying it that I wouldn’t want you to end up like your mother.”

“Did you do something to her?” He was now enjoying that he’d managed to get under my skin.

“I protect my business at all costs, Ms. Dayne. That’s something you will learn as have the others in this town. You can either fall into line or I’ll make certain that I destroy you.”

Fuck the asshole. I almost said the words but thought better of it. I did everything I could to plant a smile on my face. He was a master of intimidation and it was obvious he did have at least some people in this town wrapped around his little finger. Well, that wasn’t going to include me.

“You obviously don’t know me very well, Malcolm. Not only am I a tough girl but I don’t scare easily.”

“You’ve been warned, Ms. Dayne.”

Oh my God. “I appreciate the warning, Malcolm, but I have my own personal bodyguard.” I gave him the same nasty onceover before turning around and forcing myself to walk away.

He chuckled. “You mean Jake Spencer? What a pity. He’s a man who cracks under pressure. Why don’t you ask him about the girl he allowed to die? Then you tell me if he can protect you against any evils in this world.”

I’d had it. “You fucking…” The moment I spun around, I fisted my mouth, furious that I’d allowed the asshole to get to me.

“By the way, how is that gorgeous dog of your?” He laughed and I was frozen to the spot. Oh, my God. I’d been right.

After smiling, he walked away into the shadows, and I didn’t try to stop him. Only then did I realize I was holding my breath all over again. I was numb inside, sick to my stomach. Every inch of my skin was crawling. This couldn’t be happening.

His words lingered in the back of my mind while I tried to maintain some sense of rationality. The jerk was doing nothing more than trying to get under my skin, using pressure to have me question everything including my worth. What was he talking about with my mother? Had I missed something? I was sick inside, hating myself for falling into his trap.

I’d dealt with more powerful jerks than him. In fact, his threat only strengthened my resolve. What I didn’t like was that he was continuing to spread rumors about Jake. When I reached the door leading to the patio, I turned to see if Malcolm had followed me. After scanning the crowd, I was satisfied he’d moved on, but for how long?

I had to control my anger and the remaining fear. The last thing I wanted was for Jake to know anything was wrong. The evening was perfect. I refused to allow Malcolm to destroy it.

Get it together, girl. He wants you on edge.

I took another deep breath, shoring my resolve.

The moment I walked outside, I was pulled into another vacuum of just how stunning the rugged man was. I allowed that to take me away from the moment before, taking a few additional deep breaths. Jake seemed more relaxed than I was used to seeing him and I was determined not to ruin the evening. He’d pushed back his chair, one leg crossed over the other. The light breezetousling his hair was as sexy as the rest of him. I’d obviously spent way too much time dating pretty boys who preferred manicures versus getting their hands dirty.

I moved to the table, placing my hands on his shoulders, massaging the tightness even though my entire body ached from tension. I glanced around me, scanning the crowd, the creepy crawlies remaining.

“Mmm… That feels good,” he said. “I could allow you to do that all night.”

“Only if you’re a good boy.”

“Ha. That’s never going to happen.”

I laughed but the sound was fake. I heard it. He heard it, the man tensing even more.

“Is something wrong?”

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