Page 8 of Hiding with a Mountain Man

As I approach, Vincent whips around to face me, his eyes narrowing. "Who the hell are you?" he demands, getting right in my face.

I stand my ground, meeting his gaze steadily. "I'm the guy who's gonna make sure you never lay a hand on Brooke again."

Vincent scoffs. "You have no idea who you're dealing with, asshole."

"Oh, I think I do," I reply, my voice low and dangerous. "And trust me, you're in way over your head."

Brooke watches wide-eyed as I grab Vincent by the collar, my years of Navy Seal training kicking in. I effortlessly drag him towards the exit, ignoring his sputtered protests and threats.

"Mitch, be careful!" Brooke calls out, hurrying to follow us.

I glance back at her, my heart clenching at the fear in her eyes. "Don't worry. I've got this."

Once outside, I release Vincent with a shove, sending him stumbling. He whirls around, his face red with humiliation and anger.

"You're gonna regret this," he seethes, jabbing a finger at me. "You have no idea who you're messing with."

I step forward, towering over him. "I know exactly who I'm messing with. A pathetic excuse for a man who gets off on terrorizing women. Well, that ends now."

Vincent opens his mouth to retort, but I cut him off with a menacing glare. "Leave. Now. And if I ever catch you near Brooke again, you'll be dealing with a hell of a lot more than a bruised ego."

For a moment, Vincent looks like he might argue, but something in my expression must convince him otherwise. With a final, venomous glare, he turns and stalks away.

I'm actually glad this confrontation happened as soon as it did. Brooke needs to move past that phase of her life. She deserves to not have his threats hanging over her head.

And the truth is now I can move on, too. Sleeping with her had been a bad judgment call. I'm a professional and I never mix business and pleasure. I let out a breath. And damn, getting in her pants was definitely a pleasure.

What's the matter with me? My whole character has gone to hell in a hand basket. What kind of thought was that? Thinking last night was nothing more than getting in her pants. I need an overhaul in the worst way. This isn't who I am and she isn't a piece of meat.

I turn back to Brooke, my heart heavy with what I'm about to do. She throws her arms around me, her embrace filled with gratitude and relief.

"Thank you, Mitch," she murmurs against my chest. "I don't know what I would have done without you."

For a moment, I allow myself to hold her, savoring the feel of her in my arms. But then, steeling myself, I gently but firmly push her away.

Brooke looks up at me, confusion and hurt flickering across her face. "Mitch? What's wrong?"

I take a deep breath, hating myself for what I'm about to say. "Brooke, I can't do this. I'm assigning Dillon to be your new contact from now on. I don't really think you'll need any help since it looks like Vincent won't be a problem any more."

Her eyes widen in shock. "What? Why? Last night… I thought..." She trails off, her voice cracking.

I force myself to meet her gaze, even as my heart shatters. "I'm sorry, Brooke. But this, um, thing between us... it can't happen. It's not right. I was supposed to be protecting you, not getting involved with you."

Tears well up in her eyes, and it takes every ounce of my willpower not to reach out and comfort her. "But I thought you cared about me," she whispers.

"I do care about you, Brooke. More than you know. And that's why I have to do this. I can't be objective when it comes to you, and that puts both of us at risk."

She shakes her head, disbelief and anger warring on her face. "So, what? You're just going to push me away? Pretend like nothing ever happened between us?"

I clench my jaw, fighting back the emotions threatening to overwhelm me. "I have to, Brooke. It's the only way I can keep you safe."

She stares at me for a long moment, her eyes searching mine. Then, without another word, she turns and walks away, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs.

I watch her go, my heart breaking with every step she takes. I want nothing more than to run after her, to take her in my arms and never let go. But I know I can't. I can't be part of her life. She deserves a younger man who won't be an old man to the children they might have together. I'm simply too old for her.

Dillon approaches me, his expression sympathetic. "You did the right thing, boss," he says quietly.

I nod, not trusting myself to speak. He thinks I did this because of the job, at least that's what I told him. I didn't trust myself to tell the truth because he'd try to talk me out of it and he might win me over. That would be selfish and bad for Brooke.

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