Page 28 of Midnight & Mavericks

But instead of releasing her, his grip shifted, one hand tangling in her hair as he yanked her face closer to his. His lips crashed against hers, rough and punishing, the kiss more anact of control than any semblance of affection. Abbie’s stomach churned, and she turned her head away, breaking the contact, her heart racing with fury and panic.

“Get off me!” she shouted, shoving against his chest with all the strength she could muster. But he didn’t budge, his manic grin sending shivers down her spine.

“You’re mine, Abbie,” he growled, his voice a sinister whisper in her ear. “You always have been, whether you know it or not.”

Suddenly, the kitchen door flew open with a force that made it slam against the wall. Both Abbie and Teddy turned toward the sound, and before Teddy could fully process what was happening, a blur of movement crossed the room.

“Get your damn hands off her!” Beau’s voice was a thunderous roar, his expression one of pure, unfiltered rage. He didn’t hesitate, didn’t stop to assess. In a split second, he grabbed Teddy by the back of his collar and yanked him away from Abbie with such force that Teddy stumbled and crashed onto the floor.

Teddy looked up from where he lay sprawled on the linoleum, his smug demeanor gone. His face paled as Beau stepped forward, his broad shoulders blocking out the light from the doorway, his fists clenched and ready.

“You don’t get to touch her,” Beau growled, his voice so low and dangerous that it sent a shiver down Abbie’s spine. “Ever.”

“Beau,” Abbie said softly, her voice trembling as she pressed a hand to her chest. “Thank God you?—”

“Are you okay?” Beau’s gaze flicked to her for just a moment, his blue eyes filled with concern, before snapping back to Teddy, who was now scrambling to his feet. “Stay down Teddy, or I swear to God I’ll make you regret it.”

“I—this is none of your business!” Teddy stammered, his arrogance replaced with fear. “She and I were having a conversation.”

“Looked more like an assault to me,” Beau shot back, taking another step closer to Teddy. He grabbed one arm and pushed Teddy over on his stomach, pushing both his arms behind his back. “You have the right to remain silent.”

Abbie watched Beau straddle Teddy’s back and pull out a set of handcuffs. “Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.” Beau turned to her and grinned. “See what you missed last night not going for the handcuffs.”

He wiggled his eyebrows and returned back to Teddy. “You have the right to an attorney, but not this one. If you ever come near Abbie again, if you even think about her, I’ll make sure you’re going to regret it.”

Teddy’s mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, but no sound came out. Abbie decided it could be because Beau was sitting on him making it impossible for the man to breathe. Then Beau got off and jerked Teddy to his feet. “If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand?”

Finally, Teddy managed to find his voice. “This isn’t over, Abbie,” he spat, his bravado faltering under Beau’s withering glare.

Beau hit him in his gut punching the air back out of his lungs. “I asked you if you understood your rights?”

Teddy gasped for air and nodded.

Beau turned to her. “I’ll be right back.” Beau pushed Teddy out the door and down the steps. She watched them go until Beau shoved Teddy unceremoniously into the back seat of his police vehicle, locked it, and jogged back to her.

Abbie leaned heavily against the wall, her legs trembling as she tried to catch her breath. Beau reached her, his expression softening as he closed the distance between them.

“Abbie,” he said quietly, his voice filled with concern. “Did he hurt you?”

She shook her head, though her hands were still trembling. “I’m fine,” she managed, her voice steadier than she felt. “He didn’t… I’m fine. Thanks to you.”

Beau’s jaw tightened, and he reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face with surprising gentleness. “You shouldn’t have had to deal with that.”

Her lips parted, words failing her as she looked up at him. There was something in his eyes—fierce, protective, and undeniably real—that made her chest tighten.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Beau nodded, his hand lingering near her cheek before he stepped back, giving her the space she desperately needed to compose herself. “You’re stronger than him, Abbie. Don’t forget that. Don’t let him make you afraid.”

Tears blurred her vision and she quickly brushed them away. “I won’t. I promise.”

Chapter Seventeen

Beau sat at his desk in the Jessup Peak sheriff’s office, the small space dimly lit by the faint blue glow of the computer screen. His fingers tapped steadily against the keyboard as he finalized the details for the warrant. The steady hum of the outdated hard drive buzzed faintly in the background, but his focus remained sharp.

The warrant was necessary. Everything Teddy Van Meter had done screamed desperation and manipulation. The way he had cornered Abbie at her grandfather’s ranch the day before—his aggression, his veiled threats—had only solidified Beau’s instincts that Teddy was hiding something. Beau’s gut told him there was a web of deceit surrounding Teddy, and he intended to untangle every thread.

He leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair as he stared at the completed document on the screen. A search warrant for Teddy’s office and home. If there was any evidence tying him—or anyone he was connected to—to the fires and sabotage at the Carter ranch, this was how they’d find it.

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