Page 107 of Falling

His hands are shaking and the sight of that makes me nervous. I have no idea what he’s capable of anymore.

“I’ve already called them and you need to get off our property,” Callum says, his voice a deadly calm. “Now.”

I lift my eyebrows, turning to look at Callum. I’m not sure what he’s doing, buthis wife, our property…I’m not sure this is going to help the situation. He looks me over like he’s seeing for himself that Junior didn’t hurt me. When we turn to look at Junior again, he’s inching closer.

“This is not your property,” Junior says, spitting blood on the dirt.

“It’s sure as hell not yours.” The voice comes from behind us.

I turn and Sutton is holding up a piece of paper, and Theo and Wyatt are on either side of him. I’ve never thought the brothers look very much alike—maybe Scarlett and Sutton do, and Theo a little bit too—but seeing the four of them standing in flannel shirts, messy hair, and scruff on their faces…I see it now. They’re like a sexy band of lumberjack brothers.

Callum glances at me again. “You okay, Sunshine?”

I nod. “I think so. Want to tell me what’s going on?”

Junior grabs my arm and yanks me against him, his arm across my neck as he backs up with me. Callum follows us, but he waits, looking at the tension on my neck.

“You’re not going with them,” Junior spits out. “I’ve worked too hard for this—”

“I’ll have you arrested so fast, it’ll make your head spin,” Sutton calls.

A siren sounds in the background.

“Oh, listen to that, there’s backup now,” Sutton says.

Junior loosens his hold on me, and as soon as I duck out of the way, Callum punches him again.

“That’s the last time you’ll touch her,” Callum says, standing over Junior’s sprawled body. “Are we clear?”

Two officers hurry over and it seems like they’ve alreadyhad an interaction with Sutton, or maybe all four of them, because they’re nervous and almost reverent.

“He’s over there,” Sutton points at Junior, who’s just standing up, and the officers walk over to him. When they get closer, Junior gets antsy.

“He hit me.” He points at Callum. “He should be arrested.”

“You grabbed my wife!” Callum yells. “And you were about to hit her.”

“Why the fuck do you keep calling her your wife, you piece of shit?” Junior yells.

“Because we’remarried, motherfucker.” Callum’s voice is a low growl.

Junior’s attention shifts to me, everything about him tense, and I nod. It’s like the life drains out of him. He curses under his breath and then looks around like a caged animal.

“Junior Fitzgibbons, you are under arrest for blackmail and aggravated animal cruelty. You have the right to remain silent…” His hands are handcuffed while he squirms.

“This makes no sense,” Junior says, but it’s weak.

“Can they do this?” I ask Callum.

His jaw tightens as he nods.

“The land is yours, Ruby, should you decide to follow through on the paperwork with your parents. Technically, now that you’re married, it’s yours and mine. But don’t worry, I’m not coming after your land. And if you decide to never tell your parents about our wedding and annul our marriage, the land will still belong to your parents.”

I look at him in confusion, trying to understand what he’s saying. And is he just telling me the facts, or is he distancing himself?

“Sutton got the paperwork last night. I’m not sure your parents ever knew what they were signing, but once we sawthe contracts and knew it was contingent on you getting married, it all became clear.”

My gut twists like I’ve been hit. “I’m—I don’t know what to say.”

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