Page 16 of Preacher's Property

“No. I’m not moving.” She holds her ground. “The only reason you’re here is because you’re jealous that I have feelings for him.”

My hands tighten on her waist as I hear her words. I was hoping that to be the case, but I wasn’t sure if I was assuming more from the attraction.

“No,” he seethes. “I’m here because he vandalized my car.”

“Can’t prove anything,” I say. “Not unless you’ve got my DNA at the scene of the crime.”

“Who the fuck else would it have been?”

I shrug. “Lots of folks in this town don’t like the cops. It could’ve been anyone.”

The men that he brought for backup bristle at my remark. I’m just speaking the truth.

“Nice try, fucker, but you’re coming with me.”

“Stop, Dusty. You are not arresting him.” She tries to block his path.

He actually stops and looks down at her pleading face. There’s a glimmer of humanity final showing through. Shocking.

“Fine. If you don’t want me to take him in, then you need to leave with me now. I don’t want you associating with these criminals.”

Funny how he wants to call me a criminal. His boss would tell him different. Don’t know how many times the sheriff has called us up needing our help. We’ve stepped in and saved their asses more times than he can count with that pea-sized brain of his. He clearly hasn’t gotten the memo about us.

“Okay,” Chassie says as her entire body slumps. “I’ll go with you. Just leave him out of this.”

Not a fucking chance in hell.

I step in front of her. “You’re not going anywhere with him, babe. I can handle my own war.” I hold my hands out to the fucker. “Go ahead, Officer. Put the cuffs on.”

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” King sneers, giving him a glare that would have me trembling if I were in his shoes.

“Nah, it’s all good, Prez. ‘Bout time these guys learned who they’re messing with. We’ll let Sheriff handle them.”

King smirks, nodding as he stands down. “I think you’re right. We’ll let these boys learn their place. Come on, brothers, we’re rolling out. Just so you know…” He narrows that icy glare on the one who just cuffed me. “We’ll be right on your ass. If you try to do anything to our brother, none of you will ever be seen again.”

The stupid fucker in front of me actually has the nerve to talk back to our Prez. “Sounds like you’re threatening officers of the law. That’s grounds for an arrest. Maybe we should haul you down too.”

King throws his head back on a laugh and all of us join in his amusement. If that piece of shit dares to haul our Prez in, he’ll not only have his badge stripped from him, but we’ll all be laughing our asses off on the way to his funeral. He has no clue who he’s dealing with. But he’s about to find out. “I’ll be expecting an apology for that when all is said and done. That’s if you want to live another day.”

An apology? I laugh. Yeah right. The only reason I’m playing along is because I don’t know how Chassie would handle it if something happened to her ex. I know she doesn’t love him, but that doesn’t mean that she doesn’t care. And the last thing I want is for her to hate me. I’m falling hard for the girl. So hard.

“We ready to roll out, donut boy? I need to get back so I can get back to my woman.” I give her a wink, but she looks to be panicking. Everything is going to be fine. Good news is, it’s me she’s panicking over and he’s getting to witness every second of that.

“Call me that again,” he grits, “and I’ll be adding to your charges.”

“Never knew name-calling was a crime. I’ll be sure to never make that mistake again, little dick.”

His jaw snaps so tight I can hear his teeth gnashing. “Come on,” he tells his buddies. “Can’t wait to show these thugs who actually holds the power in this town.”

And I can’t wait to see the look on his face when he learns the truth.

10

Chassie

“Dusty, don’t do this!” I shout, chasing them outside. “Why didn’t you just let me go with him?” I look toward Preacher.

“It’s going to be fine, baby. Just go on inside and have a drink with Payton. I’ll be back before you know it.”