Page 9 of Beautiful Thing

But my foot slips off the pedal when I catch sight of her.

I hadn’t been expecting to see Layla this early in the morning. I especially wasn’t expecting to see her standing outside, barefoot on her front porch, holding Sky on her hip and crying as her ex-boyfriend looms between her and the front door.

Every hair on the back of my neck rises. Razor seems to be blocking her from getting inside.

What the hell?

I immediately slide my foot onto the brake, slowing down for a better look into Layla’s yard. The bad feeling in my gut grows when I notice her own vehicle sitting crooked on the snow-covered lawn. I’m quickly beginning to realize that her running off last night has something to do with whatever is going on right now.

And it can’t be good.

“Mom, I’ve got to go. I’ll call you tomorrow.” I end the call and park at the end of the short driveway, jumping out of my truck and not bothering to shut the door.Without hesitation, I’m stalking across Layla’s front yard.

“Look at you!” I hear Razor yelling. “You’re all used up! You’ve let yourself go. No man will ever want you! I’m the only man who’s willing to put up with your shit.”

I see red when Razor reaches out toward Layla, and she takes a hurried step backward, wobbling on the edge of the landing.

“Touch her,” I growl, now at the bottom step of the porch. “Do it. I fucking dare you!”

Razor freezes, his eyes swinging my way.Layla’s neck snaps in my direction, too.

“What’s going on here?” I demand, my hands fisting at my sides.

Razor snorts. “Nothing you need to concern yourself with, Brighton.”

“Well, if it involves Layla and Sky, then it’s automatically something I’m going to concern myself with.”

“What are you? Her fucking bodyguard?” he shouts, his voice rising to new levels as he waves his hands hysterically.“They’re mine! My family! Mine!”

I grind my heel into the snow-covered gravel, frustrated that Layla has to deal with this trash. And so early in the morning, too. I look in her direction, noting her red-rimmed eyes and dark circles. I bet neither she, nor Sky were able to get much sleep last night. Fury rips through me. I hate the worry and fear I see on her face.

I’d really like to snap her ex-boyfriend in two.

“Do you evenknowwhat family means?” My voice booms. “You’ve been gone for months, Razor.”

He puffs out his bony, bare chest. “Yeah, well, now I’m back.”

“Too late, buddy. She’s been good on her own without you.”

Layla steps between us, turning in my direction. “Razor wants Sky and me to…go,” she says quietly.

“Go?” I repeat. “Go…where?”

“This ismyhouse,” Razor interrupts. “My grandma gave it to me to raise my family. And if Layla doesn’t want to be ‘wifely’ with me, then she’s gotta leave!”

My lip curls at the idea.“Funny that you want wifely duties when you’ve never been her husband,” I bite back.

Razor laughs. “Whatever. Marriage is just a piece of paper. And if Layla wants me to consider marrying her, she could start by showing me that she’s happy I’m back.”

The suggestive look he sends Layla makes my stomach turn.

I can’t believe that piece of work expects Layla to sleep with his grimy ass. The whole town knows that Razor has been with his trashy ex-girlfriend all these months. It's pathetic.He’spathetic.

I stalk forward, not stopping until I’m all up in his face. I growl loud enough to make the porch rumble. “Move.Now.”

Razor tips his chin upward, trying to look tough. But I see the quiver in his eyebrows as I loom six inches taller than him. We remain in a stand off until I feel Layla’s soft hand landing on my arm. Her touch instantly weakens me.

“No, no. He’s right, Archer. I should go,” she says.

---