Page 6 of Protected By the Mountain Man

“Start from the beginning. Tell me everything from the moment you met your ex.”

“Al. His name is Al, Albert Redford.” My gaze dips to the empty table between us. “Aren’t you going to write this down?”

“I will. But first I want you to tell me everything. No pressure. Talk to me like you’re telling someone else’s story.”

“Oh. Okay.” And I do. I launch into how we met at work, how he kept asking me out until I agreed, how we didn’t do much together, how I made the decision to end the relationship. The more I explain, the more I realize what we were doing wasn’t really dating.

And with each word I speak the man beside me grows more rigid. In spite of his stillness, tension radiates from him in hot waves that curl around me, melt the chill in my bones.

Granger Wallis is pissed off.

On my behalf.

The pulse of pleasure that flows through me has me wondering what it might be like to have that kind of support all the time.

GRANGER

It takes everything in me to rein in my anger.

But I do. Barely.

Each word Brooke says has me wishing I hadn’t stopped outside the hospital exit. If I’d gone straight to my truck, I would have been closer to her when that prick put his hands on her.

She might think his harassment started when she broke up with him, but what she’s just told Asha shows he was doing it from the beginning. Badgering her until she agreed to go out with him.

My hands are clenched so tight they’re vibrating on my thighs under the table. I really, really wish I’d been close enough to punch the fucker.

“And that’s when Granger showed up.”

Brooke saying my name pulls me from my violent thoughts and I focus on the man across from us. My friend. Although at this moment he’s more Chief Yunker than Asha, a man I share a beer with whenever we can find the time.

I can see he’s as pissed as me, but he’s hiding it better. His hands are loose where they rest on the table and his posture is relaxed where my whole body is strung tighter than a bow and feels like the wrong move will snap bones.

“Keep going, I’ll get his account after yours,” Asha says, his voice steady, even, not revealing any of his emotions.

“Okay, well, when Al heard Granger yelling, he pushed me harder into the car before letting go and running away.” Brooke’s shoulder brushes my arm when she shrugs. “Not much else to say except Granger convinced me I should report it even though doing so last time didn’t help.”

“He was right. If we have a pattern of behavior, even if we can’t do anything on an individual incident, the number of them will give us cause to at least warn him off. Possibly get you a protection order.”

“But we work at the same place.” Brooke’s words are laced with doubt and confusion.

I open my mouth to speak but Asha’s gaze cuts to mine. He doesn’t need to speak; his eyes tell me to keep quiet and I snap my mouth shut. Satisfied his message is received, he returns his gaze to Brooke.

“You might want to think about finding another job. I know you shouldn’t have to, but unless we find something on him that would be cause for dismissal, it might be the fastest, easiest way to remove yourself from his orbit.”

“I can give you a job.” In spite of Asha’s warning, the words are out of my mouth before the thought fully forms. “I need help running our firewood business.”

It’s not a lie. I’ll need someone now that Felix is out of action. I shove the thoughts of why he’s not able to work away and make sure Brooke knows my offer is genuine.

“Honestly, with Felix laid up, I’ll need someone at the office to help manage the orders.”

Brooke takes almost a minute to study me before shaking her head. “No. I refuse to leave my job because of him. He already cost me my home.”

“Okay. But the offer stands,” I add because I want her to have options. An escape route if she needs it.

“Thank you.” Facing Asha again, she asks, “Would tonight’s incident be grounds for dismissal? There won’t be any video footage because I’m sure he’s erased it by now, but Granger was there; he saw what happened.”

“It could be. If you want to take it beyond making a report, I can meet with the head of security and see what he says.”