Page 51 of Kissing Her Rescuer

“Rhonda.” He dipped his chin in acknowledgment as he passed by and disappeared into the restaurant.

She held her hand up, her gaze shifting between Hudson and Dewey. “Just to warn you, Tommy is in there. He's acting fairly low key, but try not to break anything.”

Cameron patted her on the shoulder. “Sweetie, you know we're good for it.”

She rolled her eyes. “Yeah. I'll believe that when I get a new mirror in the men's restroom. It hasn't been fixed since the last guy you threw into it.”

Grayson grinned and eyed Cameron. “Juliana told me, but I swear she was making the stories up. Never thought the helmet police would be such a rebel.”

“Yeah. We try not to discuss it much.” Nash lightly punched Cameron’s arm. “You know, it wouldn't be good for your Sheriff's campaign coming up soon.”

Dewey nudged Hudson. “Are you cool with Tommy here?” If anyone should take exception, it'd be Hudson.

Hudson shrugged. “I don't have a choice. I got the girl, so if he keeps his mouth shut, nothing will happen on my end. But I get why you're pissed. He never threatened Becky like he did Hugh's daughter.”

“Who threatened my daughter?” Hugh's question came from behind Rhonda as he walked back to the group stalled at the door.

Dewey cringed. “I handled it.”

“I didn't ask if you handled it.”

Cameron sighed. “Let's just go to the back room. Straight back,” he said, directing his statement at Dewey. “If there's anything that needs to be done with Tommy tonight, I'll handle it.”

“Because you're less of a hot-head?” Nash asked, his natural, joking tone earning him a chuckle from Rhonda. “Or because you’re less protective of Juliana and Eliza?”

Dewey walked to the back, hoping to appear nonchalant even though anger began to build inside. Hugh continued to pepper Rhonda with questions that she easily side-stepped until they made it to the back room.

She rolled her eyes behind Hugh's back and looked at Dewey. “He's all yours.”

Hugh spun around. “Someone tell me who threatened my daughter. And which one.”

Grayson pulled out a chair and sat down, interlacing his fingers behind his head and leaning back. “No one threatened Juliana. Or else they wouldn't be able to sit.” His lips curled into a humorless smile. “Or drink without a straw.”

“Eva showed me the video of you throwing that man against the wall,” Marshall said to Grayson with raised eyebrows. “Impressive. First round is on me. Everyone good with beer.” At the vacant nods, he left the room.

Nash walked around the table and slapped Grayson on the back. “I've avoided telling Lexi you're back in town, although she’s probably figured it out. After I took her to see your last movie,” he paused, shaking his head and rubbing his chest muscles. “It guilt-tripped me to get back in the gym. I think I prefer tossing watermelons in the summer.”

Hugh crossed his arms. “This hasn't gotten us anywhere. Focus, boys.” He surveyed the room until his heated gaze landed on Dewey. “I want a straight answer. Who threatened Eliza, and why?”

Dewey didn't want to do this. Not tonight. Eliza wouldn't want her dad to find out about the hustle she'd done on Tommy.

“I can see you workin' up a lie.” Hugh’s scowl matched his threatening tone. “I wouldn't do it if I were you. You're on my good side right now.”

Damn. If this was his good side, Hugh didn't have much variety in his sides. “A man named Tommy is here.”

“He used to be with Becky,” Hudson added. “He had a hard time moving on after she dumped him.”

“How did he end up threatening Eliza then? And I want the truth.”

Dewey looked at Cameron, who held his hands up and shrugged. He wouldn't know the whole story.

“Can we help you?” Hugh snapped out his question as he looked past Dewey to the door.

George, Eliza's motorcycle club, pool buddy, stood in the doorway. And he wasn't happy based on the way his mustache turned down.

“You,” he said and pointed at Dewey before hitching a thumb over his shoulder. “This guy out here is jaw-jacking to the bar about 'Liza. Me and the boys don't like it. I was gonna handle it, but Rhonda suggested I come back and get you.”

Dewey rubbed his temples. Tommy couldn't keep his damn mouth shut. Did he want to handle him? Of course. But Cameron probably wouldn't have any choice but to arrest him for starting the fight.

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