Page 102 of When We Burn

“I know she’s wrong.” My voice is low but strong. “I know she is, babe, but for a minute, it stung.”

“Don’t tell me you believed her for even one fucking heartbeat.”

“No, of course not. God, she doesn’t know us. She doesn’t know anything about us, including Birdie. And I’m telling you right now, I was ready to claw her fucking eyes out if she laid a finger on that little girl.”

His lips twitch. “You’re pissed.”

“I’mlivid.I’m not a violent person at all, but I wanted to hurt her almost as much as I wanted to protect Birdie. I would never let her do anything…” My voice falters at that, and he pulls me to him, hugging me tightly.

“I know, sweetheart.” He kisses my head and then my forehead. “Do you know how sexy it was to see you defending Birdie like that? You were so fucking fierce and strong, and I knew that Birdie was safe. I wasn’t worried about that for a second. I was pissed off that Angela had the balls to try something like that.”

“What would she have done?” I have to pull back to look up at him now. “What would Angela have done if she’d managed to get Birdie? She doesn’twanther; she just wanted to fuck with me.”

“You keep using the dirty words, which tells me you’re still worked up.”

“But that’s what she did. She saw us at that concert or heard through the grapevine that we’re together, and it made her mad enough to do this. Because I’m telling you right now, it wasn’t about that little girl at all. It was about me.”

“I know.”

My eyes widen when he agrees so quickly. “You know?”

“I thought the same as soon as I saw what was going on. It’s one of thoseI-don’t-want-them-but-I-don’t-want-you-to-have-themsituations. I don’t know, maybe things fell apart with the guy from New York, or maybe it’s just a classic case of jealousy. Given that I don’t give a rat’s ass about her, I couldn’t say, but I can guarantee you that she won’t touch either of you again. I added your name to the restraining order.”

I blink up at him. “You did?”

“Of course, I did. The attorney also added the school itself, the dance school, the ranch, and anywhere else I could think of where you and Birdie often frequent. She’ll get bored with it and go away.”

“You sound so sure.”

“I am. She’s a bully, remember? You stood up to her, and she’ll leave town with her tail between her legs.”

I blow out a gusty breath. “She never backed down from anyone else before, Bridge.”

“Did you or anyone else stand up to her?”

I blink, thinking it over. “I guess not.”

“Then trust me. Now, what else happened today?”

I frown up at him, not understanding, and then I bust out laughing.

“You know, I’d almost forgotten. It was just a monumentally bad day. From start to finish. But my super-sexy, smoke show of a boyfriend picked my car up for me, and he’s snuggling me, so it’s not all bad.”

“There she is, my optimistic girl.” He kisses me softly. “I think we can make it an even better day.”

“Yeah? How’s that?”

Before he can answer, his phone rings, and I recognize the ringtone for his job.

“I have to answer it,” he says, closing his eyes.

“I know.”

“Blackwell.” His eyes narrow on me as he listens. “How in the hell did they manage that? You’ve got to be kidding me. Yeah, we’re going to need ladders and climbing gear, and I’m on my way.”

He hangs up and then leans back on the cushion and growls.

“Is someone hurt?”

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