Page 2 of Protected By the Mountain Man

Through the phone, I can barely hear the tinny voice of the emergency switchboard operator saying they’re dispatching a police car to the GPS associated with my call. I bare my teeth in something like a grin.

Ryan stumbles back. I almost fall to my knees at the sudden release, but just manage to catch myself. I lean against the door frame, massaging my throat with my free hand.

“I’ll be back,” Ryan snarls before taking off.

“Try it,” I rasp after him with bravado I don’t feel. I’m not sure my words catch Ryan, but that’s when the fear catches up with me. I do crumple to the ground after all, chest heaving with wracking sobs.

I’m still there when the police arrive. They take my statement, but none of us seem convinced that there’s much we can do to stop Ryan. Not until he escalates things further.

But the police don’t know my brother. Graham’s got legal connections. He’s my ace in the hole, and I know he won’t let Ryan get to me and Billy. Not if he has anything to say about it.

So when the officers leave, casting sympathetic glances at me, I open my phone again and call my big brother.

Ace

As the owner of Lube Job, Heartwood’s mechanic shop, I’ve been around the block more than a few times. I’ve learned so many tricks of the trade — and the tells of customers.

So I know as soon as Graham Cutter walks into my shop that he’s not here on business. He’s here for a favor.

“Hey there, Ace,” the younger man says as he approaches the counter where I’m oiling up some tools.

“What is it?” I answer, popping a single eyebrow as both of his shoot skyward in surprise.

“Excuse me?”

I give him a wry smile, wiping my greasy hands on a cloth. “You and Cookie last had your vehicle in two months ago, if that. I do damn good work, so I know you’re not here for car trouble.” I rest my elbows on the counter and lean forward. “Which means you’re here for something else entirely. So out with it.”

Some men might be offended by my cutting straight to the point. To his credit, Graham is not one of them. He grins, and now it’s my turn to be surprised.

“I knew you were the right one for the job, Ace,” he says, nodding as if confirming something to himself. “Cookie wasn’t sure, but she hasn’t lived here as long as I have. I’m glad I trusted my instincts.”

My gaze narrows. “What job?”

The mirth fades from his warm eyes. “It’s personal.”

In spite of myself, my chest puffs with pride. If Graham, who’s a lawyer or paralegal or something like that, is coming to me with a personal matter, it’s serious. The fact that he trusts me with it means a lot.

“Tell me,” I command.

“It’s my sister.” His voice sounds worn thin. “She needs help. Protection.Time.”

“Time for what?”

“For me and my legal team to put together a case to get her abusive ex out of her life permanently.” He shakes his head. “She slept with him once, got pregnant. Turns out he’s a complete asshole and is threatening her and my nephew.”

My fingers curl into fists at my side. There’s not much I hate more than a man who doesn’t know how to treat women with respect — hell, with basic human decency. “How can I help?”

“I’ve got a case going, like I said,” Graham continues. “But it’s going to take some time. While I’m putting things together, I’d like her to hide out in Heartwood. To keep her and her little boy safe.”

“I get that,” I say. “But where do I come in?”

“I want her to stay with you, Ace.” He’s talking fast now, as if he thinks I can’t say no if he’s going a mile a minute. “It’s unexpected, so it’ll be hard for her baby’s father to find her — and if he does, a guy like you will scare him off.”

A guy like you. He means a rough man, with calloused palms, big muscles, and a glare that broadcasts to one and all that I won’t brook a bit of bullshit.

It doesn’t hurt that I served a stint in the Army when I was young and didn’t know what to do with myself. Sure, I worked with military vehicles more than anything…but my time in the service taught me how to handle myself.

Graham’s smart. He’s probably done his research. Not many here in Heartwood know my history.

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