Page 37 of Malice

Fucker’s face turned red. Malice wasn’t sure if it was embarrassment or fury and the only reason he cared was to give him an idea of what the assface would do next. It was already clear the man wasn’t smart enough to take good advice, but was he stupid enough to keep pushing Malice?

Malice wouldn’t make the first move. No. he would stand here until the other guy did, whatever move he made but if Fucker was going to start something, then Malice wouldn’t hesitate to end it.

They stood staring each other for what seemed like an eon, but in reality, less than two minutes had passed. A flicker of movement in the trees to the left told Malice that one of the brothers had gotten impatient and was moving for a better view, but he didn’t look in that direction or acknowledge that he’d seen anything. He didn’t let his gaze leave the man in front of him. He’d learned long ago not to take his eye off the threat.

Not that this fucker stood much of a threat to Malice. But he was a threat to Bonnie, both physically and to her state of mind. That Malice wouldn’t tolerate.

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

Fucker’s nerve broke long before Malice even began to get impatient. He’d learned a lot of things in the military and not the least among them was the patience to outwait a target. That had come in handy so many times since his separation, especially when dealing with someone who assumed he was just another cowboy, and dumber than they saw themselves. Or just another bartender and not bright enough to see though whatever they were pulling. He’d learned other useful things, but this was one he’d used more than a little. He stared at the out of place man for several seconds more before he spoke again.

“I’m waiting for you to realize you’re not going to get your way and go away.”

“I am going to see Bonnie.”

“You’ve already seen all of her you’re going to. Through two pieces of glass in traffic was more than she wanted, and I’m not going to let you torment her more. Go home and let Bonnie live her life.” It was more than he’d planned to say, but the idiot in front of him just wouldn’t take a hint, whether subtle or blatant. Malice began to wonder if he was going to have to put the man back in his car and send him on his way.

The idiot stared at him for several seconds longer, eyes narrowed as if trying to glare through him. Malice had seen far more intimidating stares from the horses on his parents’ ranch, and that was before he’d gotten through school. This fucker couldn’t begin to compare to what he’d encountered with the Army or when he’d been overseas. Malice lifted one brow and stared back, shifting his weight to the other leg as he stood his ground. Malice didn’t know how long they stood, staring at each other in silence. And he didn’t care. He could stand here all night if it meant protecting Bonnie.

His only concern with staying out here all night was that eventually Bonnie or one of the other women would wonder where they were and come looking. That might put them in danger of encountering this fucker. While Malice wasn’t worried about his safety, he could hold his own against this soft wannabe, the idiot had already shown he didn’t mind man-handling women to get his way. Malice didn’t want any of the women on the ranch put in that situation, but especially not Bonnie. She’d already had enough bull shit from this loser. She didn’t need more.

Fucker shifted from one foot to another then back again. His gaze flicked around them. Malice could tell he was getting antsy. Malice wished he’d brought a vehicle with him, if only so he could lean against it and look bored. But that was only to amuse himself. From the way the other man shifted, Malice knew something would happen soon. Whether he would give up and leave or do something more aggressive, that was the answer Malice was waiting for.

As expected, a couple of minutes later, dumb fuck made a show of taking a deep breath and letting it out as a sigh before turning and going back to his car. He moved slowly, but didn’t turn back to look at Malice as he got inside and started the engine.

Malice didn’t move, didn’t act like he’d even noticed any change in the fucker’s behavior. If the guy turned around and left, Malice would let him. If he tried to proceed up the road, either branch, then there would be more words, and possibly more.

Anticipation ran through him as he watched the stupid man put the car in gear. He looked behind him, as if he was going to back up, but Malice had seen how far his hand had moved when he’d shifted gears. He hadn’t put it in reverse.

Malice let his eyes scan the clearing. There was enough room to turn the car around, but it would be tight. If that’s what he was doing, then Malice would let him, but he suspected that wasn’t what the idiot had in mind.

Malice watched as the idiot cranked the wheel, looked around them again then turned back toward the front of the car, a look of glee on his face that was more than enough warning for Malice.

When the idiot hit the gas, the car moved forward, slowly at first then with more speed. Right toward Malice.

Malice stood his ground. Options raced through his mind as he watched the car approach. Years of training and time spent in dangerous situations served him well as he didn’t panic, but his mind suggested options and discarded them just as quickly.

He could move, but then the fucker would get past him to the cabin where he hoped Bonnie was still inside with the doors locked.

No.

He could stand here and let the dumb fuck hit him. Then the man would get past him and to Bonnie.

Again. No.

He could go with either of the previous options and hope his brothers stopped him before he reached Bonnie.

While he trusted his brothers, that wasn’t an option, not if he could help it.

After going through several options and discarding them all, he planted his feet a little wider, so he had a good, stable footing then unfolded his arms and reached behind him. He hadn’t even had a chance to touch the pistol resting in the small of his back before the idiot proved he wasn’t as stupid as he’d pretended.

The fucker slammed on his breaks, skidding to a stop several feet from where Malice stood, and shifted the car into reverse.

Malice wrapped his hand around the grip on his pistol, then froze, waiting to see what the other man would do.

He couldn’t help the shot of satisfaction that flashed through him as he watched the idiot’s eyes widen and fill with fear as he realized why Malice held one hand behind his back. It was instantly apparent to Malice that the worthless fucker had seen someone pull a pistol from a holster in the small of his back before. The fuckwad reversed, hitting the gas so hard he threw dirt as his wheels spun for a moment before catching ground. Malice stepped forward, following the man as he backed up. When he stopped and cranked the wheel in the other direction, Malice had no doubt he was spooked and leaving, but he didn’t relax. No the fucker had planned to try to get past him and he wasn’t letting his guard down until the man was gone.

When the fucker hit the gas again, he threw dirt again but this time he sped down the dirt road, back in the direction he’d come from, at probably twice the speed. Malice would have liked to believe that they’d scared him off for good, but he didn’t. Instead some instinct told him that the fucker wouldn’t try to confront them head on again. Instead he would wait until no one was looking and try to take Bonnie. Possibly from work. That made making sure she was safe at work a priority, at least until they could know that the dumb fuck wasn’t going to be more of a problem.

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