Page 20 of Her Protective Cowboy

I tighten my hold on the reins, my other hand instinctively reaching for Melody. She’s gone still as a statue beside me, her face drained of color.

“It’s him,” she whispers, a tremble in her voice. “Oh God, Wyatt. It’s Bradley.”

I should have known this moment would come. Should have realized a snake like him would have the audacity to show up here. My jaw clenches as I take in the sight of him, all slick and polished in his fancy suit. City boy through and through.

He looks like he just stepped out of a damn catalog with his perfect hair and million-dollar smile. A smile that doesn’t reachhis cold eyes as they land on Melody. There’s a darkness there, a sense of entitlement. Like she’s a possession he’s come to collect.

I swing down off my horse in one smooth motion and stride over to put myself between him and my girl. Melody dismounts shakily behind me. I can feel the nervous energy rolling off her.

"Well, well, well," Bradley drawls. "If it isn't the runaway bride. Thought you could just disappear on me, baby? Leave me at the altar in front of everyone we know?"

I step closer and block Melody from Bradley's view. My hands curl into fists at my sides. "You need to leave. Now," I growl.

Bradley's eyes flick to me and rake me over from head to toe. "And who the hell are you?" His lip curls in a sneer. "The local farmhand she's slutting around with?"

White-hot rage lances through me. I lunge forward and grab him by the collar, then slam him back against his fancy car. "Don't you dare talk about her like that."

Bradley struggles against my grip, his face reddening. "Get your fucking hands off me!"

I lean in close, our faces inches apart. "Listen, you piece of shit. Melody doesn't want anything to do with you. You're going to get in your car, drive away, and never bother her again. Or else you'll be dealing with me. Understand?"

"He's right, Bradley." Melody steps out from behind me, her chin lifted. "I'm not going anywhere with you. It's over."

Bradley laughs, ugly and mocking. "You think you have a choice? You're mine, Melody. You always have been. No one else is going to want you, especially not after this stunt you pulled."

Melody's eyes narrow. "How did you even find me you psycho stalker?"

A smug grin spreads across his face. "Your little friend Allie isn't as clever as she thinks. I saw her at the hotel bar this morning flirting with some guy. And her phone was just sittingthere in her purse. It was too easy to slip it out, check your location, and put it back without her noticing. You two really thought you could outsmart me? Pathetic."

Red tinges the edges of my vision. I'm not a violent man by nature, but I'll be damned if I'm going to stand by and let him say that kind of shit to my woman.

Before Bradley can blink, my fist connects with his jaw. He staggers backward, cursing.

Hearing the commotion, Luke and Jace pour out of the house. Luke takes one look at the scene and steps up beside me, squaring off with Bradley. Jace flanks him, ready to jump in if needed.

"You just made the worst mistake of your life," Bradley hisses, cradling his face.

"No, you did," I growl. "When you showed up here trying to take what’s mine. Now get the hell out of here, before I show you just how bad of a mistake that was."

Bradley looks from me to my brothers, calculation in his eyes. I can see him weighing his odds.

Finally, he spits at my feet. "This isn't over. Melody's family won't let her throw her life away on some washed-up cowboy. I'll be back for what's mine."

"I'm not yours," Melody says, steel in her voice. "I never was. And I never will be. Goodbye, Bradley."

She takes my hand as Bradley gets in his car and guns the engine, spraying gravel as he peels out. When his tail lights disappear down the drive, I pull her into my arms. She’s shaking, but her eyes are dry. Determined.

“Are you alright?” I murmur into her hair.

She nods against my chest. “I am now. With you.”

I hold her tighter, emotion clogging my throat. “Come on, baby. Let’s go inside.”

Chapter Eight

MELODY

The screen door slams behind us as Wyatt ushers me into the house, his brothers trailing behind. Luke and Jace are talking over each other, their voices tight with anger.

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