Page 44 of Pretty Little Scars

“When I pulled up, I saw him attack her, and I got him off her.”

Easton turns to me. “And what did you do?”

“I told Scott to call the cops, then punched the fuck out of him, and if you’d let him out of the car, I’ll do it again.”

My brother’s lips twitch, but he doesn’t smile. He’s in work mode.

“I’m pressing assault charges,” Darby insists again. “There’s no way he gets away with that bullshit.”

“Good. That’s his third strike, so if it sticks, he’ll be going away for a long while,” Easton says. “I have everything I need here. I’ll let you know if anything else comes up.”

He leaves the barn, and I turn to console my girl, but she’s already walking outside, carrots in hand, to the horses.

“I’m sorry that took so long,” I hear her saying to Jed, one of my horses, as she feeds him a carrot, then reaches for her brushand starts to run it over his coat. “I think Jed here was the last of the horses, so they all got their hooves done.”

“I’m not worried about that.”

She frowns over at me. “Well, you should be. Having healthy feet is important for a horse.”

“No, Duchess, I’m worried aboutyou.”

She doesn’t say anything for a long moment while she brushes Jed. Finally, she lifts one shoulder.

“He scared me, but he didn’t hurt me. Also, I’ve taken self-defense in the past, and I could have probably kicked his ass. But I’m glad you arrived when you did.”

“I’m so sorry.”

She frowns up at me, finally looking me in the eyes. “Why?”

“Because I left you alone with him.”

She runs her hand down the back of Jed and then bites her lip. “Did you know that he has a history of assaulting women?”

“Of course fucking not, but I don’t know him at all, and I shouldn’t have left you with him.”

“Tucker, I hate to break it to you, but there will be times when I’m alone with a stranger. I will be called out to ranches for all kinds of reasons, and I’ll have to be alone with men I don’t know. That’s just how it is.”

“I’m hiring you a fucking bodyguard.”

She barks out a laugh, but I don’t find this fucking funny.

“No you’re not.”

“Fine, I’ll go with you.”

“Negative, ghost rider.”

“Why are you arguing this with me?”

“Because I’m a grown woman and I have a job to do. Most men aren’t like Peter. Most can take no for an answer.”

“The problem with that statement ismost.”

“Yeah, well, tell that to the female population of the world.” She shrugs again and gives Jed another carrot. He muncheshappily, oblivious to the fact that my own gut is churning. “I carry pepper spray, and I have a whole tool kit full of sharp instruments that I can use. I’m golden.”

“Why don’t you seem freaked out by this?” Her hands have settled, and her voice doesn’t wobble.

“Oh, I’m shaken. I don’t like it, and I’ll probably cry a little later, when I’m alone, but for now, I’m concentrating on this horse, and you’re here, so that calms me down.”