My blood boils. I can’t tell if it’s because she’s harassing my sister now or because she had her hands all over Brody the day we met. I channel the anger from the first, squeezing my hands into fists. The second, I’m never touching because it makes zero sense.
“Ivy, what—” Brody’s footsteps come to a halt behind me.
I’m not going to let his little crush bully my sister. I march forward. The woman’s eyes lift to take me in.
“She’s not taking any questions, lady.” I come between them. Even in just my wool socks, I’m a good few inches taller than the woman and I look down my nose at her. “I suggest you get on your way.”
“Who are you?” She flips her rich blonde hair and sticks her chin out.
I’d ask for her haircare routine if I wasn’t a second away from smacking her in her smug face. “I’m the one who’ll kick your butt if you don’t leave immediately.” I turn to my sister. “Are you alright?”
Her eyes are wide in a pale face but she nods bravely.
This bitch. I hope for her sake that paleness is a result of the cold and not her intrusion.
“What are you still doing here?” I turn around to face her.
She looks between us. “You are her sister.”
“Great. Your eyes work.” I point to the path. “Feel free to buzz off.”
“You are hiding her here.” Her gaze is fixed on Iris. Her eyes move rapidly, making connections.
My heart spasms. If this nitwit can put it together and she happens to spread the news, then Iris’s safety can’t be guaranteed.
I have to come up with something quickly. “We are on vacation, smartass, and you’re intruding.”
“I’m just asking—”
“No one’s answering,” I yell, stepping forward. “Leave!”
“Ivy,” Brody cautions from where he stands outside the fight.
The woman’s eyes slip to him and something flashes in them. She turns and pushes at my shoulders. “Get away from me.”
I don’t anticipate the move so I lose my footing, crashing into Iris. Anger surges through me. I find my stance and return the favor. She staggers backward and I follow.
I grab her by the collars of her fancy coat, prepared to pull her off the cabin’s perimeters. “When I say you leave, you fucking leave!”
She yells, kicking her feet as I start to drag her.
“Ivy.” Strong arms wrap around my waist. “Let her go!”
“Let me go.” I try to shake him off but his grip is too firm.
Brody huffs as I scratch at his forearms. “Stop, Ivy.” He drags me off her and drops me behind him like I weigh nothing.
Disbelief leaves me stunned but for only a second. I try to push past him to get to the ballsy woman. When I’m through with her, she won’t trespass where she’s unwanted ever again. Brody grips my arm, holding me in place.
He mashes me against his side, imprisoning me. “Stop.”
The fight leaves me. I hang my head, my breath trembling out of me.
“Leave, Kerianne,” he says to the woman who is sprawled on the ground.
She must have fallen during the struggle. I should have stomped on her when I had the chance.
“She pushed me!” the woman—Kerianne—yells. “She’s fucking feral. She shouldn’t be here. Cliff is going to hear about this.”