Page 59 of Bound By Fire
His eyes narrow on me. I turn to face forward, hoping he leaves it at that.
Please, leave it alone.
“You heard the guy,” he says. His voice is low and flat. “I’m talking to you, human. Go home. Pack your bags and go. You’re not welcome here.”
I feel myself bristle, but I tamp it down.
It’s not worth it.
It’s not.
“I’m talking to you, sweetheart.You, little human in front of me. Don’t pretend you can’t hear. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll leave on the first flight out of here. Do yourself a favor while you still can.”
It’s not worth it.
“Why are you ignoring me, human? I’m talking to you.” He pokes a finger at my shoulder, nudging me.
That does it.
“I’ve lived on Draig for nearly four years,” I tell him as I whip around. My voice is even, which surprises me. “This is my home. I?—”
“Save it,” he cuts me off. “I don’t want your speech. I don’t want your tears. I don’t care how much you love our island. Pack your things and leave. You are not welcome. Not after what you humans did.”
“WhatIdid? I didn’t do anything,” I say. “You don’t know a single thing about me.”
“I know you’re human and that’s enough.”
His jaw tightens, and he takes a step forward.
I take a small step back because he can squish me like a bug.
Ridge steps between us. One second, I’m staring up into the shifter’s flat eyes, the next, there’s a wall of back and shoulders blocking my view.
“Back up,” Ridge says in a rough voice that’s low.
“Are you defending her?”
“Yes, I am. Back up, now.”
“She shouldn’t be here. None of them should.”
“You’re not the one who gets to decide that.”
“This is my island,” the guy snarls.
“It isn’t your anything,” Ridge tells him.
I cannot see Ridge’s face from this angle, but I can see the other shifter’s, and whatever he sees when he looks at Ridge makes the muscle in his jaw jump.
The guy growls as he moves in closer. Ridge doesn’t move an inch.
“This is going to get ugly,” the guy says.
“I’m going to call security,” the cashier says in a small voice.
“Stop it!” another female begs.
“Enough,” Ridge says. “This stops now.”
