Page 79 of Caught in the Crossfire

“Mason…”

He laid his finger against her lips. “Trust me.”

She growled. “I better not have to bail you out of jail. I’d be tempted to leave you behind bars for not listening to your future wife.”

He grinned at her bad-tempered response. “I hear you.” Mason nudged her toward the door. “Go. Keep Josh busy for a minute before you let him inside.”

With that request, he stalked toward the kitchen. Linc’s arms were folded, his attention focused on Ivan whose hands were restrained behind his back. “Give me a minute,” he murmured to the operative.

“No bruises.” Linc left without a backward glance.

Ivan glared at him.

Aware of the time constraint, Mason said, “Nicole and I are getting married soon. Congratulate her, and get out of town once the police are through with you.”

Belligerence gleamed in his eyes. “Why should I? You afraid I’m going to steal Nicole away from your sorry hide? You should be, man. She’s mine.”

Mason walked behind him and exerted pressure on Ivan’s shoulder exactly as Nate and Alex had taught him. Nicole’s ex gasped, blood draining from his face.

He leaned close to the man’s ear. “Listen carefully, Ivan. I’m only going to say this once. Nicole is mine to love and protect. I know what you did to her.”

“What are you talking about? I didn’t do anything she didn’t want me to.”

“You hit her.” When he tightened his grip, Ivan moaned. “Nicole deserves to be treated with respect and gentleness. No man worthy of the name would hurt a woman. If you ever touch Nicole again, I will take you apart. Are you hearing me, Dannon?”

He nodded.

Linc walked in. “Time’s up, Mase.”

Mason released Ivan and moved away from him a second before Josh strode in.

Suspicion in his eyes, Josh’s gaze swept over Ivan. “What’s going on, Mason?”

“Ivan Dannon trespassed onto Linc’s property and looked in windows. He scared Nicole.”

Eyebrows rose. “You know this guy?”

“We’ve been getting acquainted. He’s Nicole’s former boyfriend.”

He glanced at Linc. “You pressing charges?”

“Depends.”

“Cut him loose, then you and Mason follow me to the cruiser. We’ll talk.”

When Mason followed Josh and Ivan into the living room and outside, Nicole was nowhere in sight. One less thing to worry about. He didn’t want her anywhere near Ivan. The less this guy saw of her, the better.

Once Josh placed the man in the back of his cruiser, he turned to Mason and Linc. “What’s really going on here?”

“Exactly what I told you.”

“And?”

“He’s been in town since the day Riva was murdered.”

“Interesting timing,” Linc said.

“He says he’s in Otter Creek to win Nicole back.”

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