Page 74 of Mistle-Ho

“I can’t do that, man. You know it.” I keep backing away, putting more and more space between us and who I highly suspect is Maddie Miller’s ex-husband. “I need you to think about this. About what will happen if you don’t stop now.”

Leo continues flailing, forcing me to hold tighter. “He deserves what he gets.”

“He does, but you don’t deserve what will happen if you’re the one who gives it to him.” I plant my feet, forcing us to turn so he’s directly facing where Alexis is squeezing a sobbing Maddie. “And she doesn’t deserve for you to be locked up either.”

Leo’s shoulders sag. I know using Maddie against him was low, but I also know it’s the only thing that will work. My need to be close to Alexis and keep her safe trumps everything. Even my desire to fucking pummel anyone who hurts her. I know Leo is the same.

He tries to shake me off again. When I don’t release him, he shoots me a glare. “I’m not going to touch him.” He turns away from me, all his attention going to Maddie. “I need to make sure she’s okay.”

After hesitating just a second, I let him go, but stay ready to grab him again just in case. Thankfully, he goes straight to where Alexis and Maddie stand, pulling the brunette from his sister’s arms before wrapping her in his.

Then he adds Alexis to the embrace.

I wait for the stab of jealousy I know is coming. He’s her brother, but he’s still offering comfort I should be giving. Support she should get from me.

But the dreaded emotion doesn’t come. Not even close. All I feel when I watch Leo look Alexis over is gratitude. I’m grateful she has someone like him to care about her. Happy Alexis has more than just me to worry about her wellbeing. She deserves to be loved and appreciated by as many people as possible.

But I’ll still kick Dill-hole’s ass if he so much as looks at her again.

Once Leo’s finished confirming his sister is okay, his full attention goes to a still sobbing Maddie. He tucks her against him as the sound of sirens reaches my ears. Thank God someone thought to call the cops, because it hadn’t even crossed my mind.

Alexis steps back from where her brother holds Maddie and her eyes sweep my way. She barely hesitates before running straight at me and jumping into my arms. I catch her easily, lifting her off the ground as the first cruiser squeals into the lot, swerving around where I left my Hummer idling in the middle of the lane.

Maddie’s ex is just trying to roll onto his stomach as the ambulance pulls in behind the squad car. I hold Al a little tighter as the medics rush to his side. “Did he hurt you?”

Her head rocks against my shoulder as she shakes it. “I’m okay.” She sniffs. “He wanted me to let him in and I wasn’t going to do it. If you hadn’t gotten here when you did—” Her voice cracks.

“Then you would have figured something out.” I breathe against her hair, relaxing a little more now that she’s in my arms. “You should have looked at him the way you looked at me on the deck the night of your parents’ Christmas party. That would have killed him on the spot.”

Alexis leans back, expression pretty damn close to the one I’m referencing. “I thought you were being an asshole.”

I lift my brows. “By giving you a cashmere scarf?” I scoff. “I’d like to know what you would consider me being nice.”

Her expression softens as she glances back where Leo stands. “It was pretty nice of you to make sure my brother didn’t end up charged with murder.”

I lift my gaze to Leo and our eyes meet. My stomach clenches as he looks over where I stand, holding his sister in a way that is clearly more than just friendly. “The night’s young, Al.”

33

Thanks For the Warning

Alexis

“YOU LOOK LIKE you’re about to throw up.” I squeeze Gavin’s hand with mine. “It’s going to be fine. I promise.”

“I like how optimistic you are, but your brother throws a mean right hook, and I don’t know that I want to be on the receiving end of it.”

“I’ll protect you.” I practically drag Gavin up the front steps to my parents’ house. “But I’m pretty sure he has more pressing things to worry about than us.”

I hate how true it is. Of all the fucked-up things, Leo ended up being charged with assault over the whole incident outside my apartment. His lawyer says it will probably be dismissed, but still. It’s bullshit since he was just protecting me.

Mostly.

Gavin scans the driveway and the street. “I’m actually surprised he and Maddie aren’t already here.”

“I’m sure they’ll be here any second.” Leo isn’t usually late, but, it’s not surprising he would be. Especially since my parents invited us all over to stage some sort of an intervention. Yet another reason I don’t think Leo is going to be that concerned when he finds out about me and Gavin.

My mom opens the door as we reach the porch. Her smile is lukewarm at best, but I’m gonna chalk that up to all the shit that’s been happening. Her eyes settle on my hand in Gavin’s, one blonde brow slowly angling. “Well, this is an interesting development.”

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