Page 55 of Forbidden Love

As they stepped outside, Deb smiled as Ben and Sam ran past them, laughing. It was good to see Ben having fun and enjoying life like a normal kid. She had gone with Brock when he told Tammy that her ex was dead—killed by his hand. Tammy had hugged him and cried, but it had been tears of relief, not grief.

Looking around, Deb spotted Brock’s sister chatting with Asher, Leda, and Taz. The entire town had come together, and for the first time in a long time, everything felt right.

“They look cute together,” Emily said, nodding toward Tammy and Asher, who stood talking near the drinks table. “Hunter said he’s a good fit for the Pack. Same goes for Brock.”

Deb smiled, but her eyes lingered on Tammy. “Yeah, they do look good. I just… I worry. Tammy’s been through hell. She’s got scars that don’t show on the outside, you know? And Ben—he’s her world. I don’t want her to get hurt again.”

Across the yard, Brock stood deep in conversation with Dell and Garrett, his arms crossed, head nodding slightly. Deb’s chest warmed when his gaze suddenly locked with hers. He gave her a wink that made her knees feel a little less steady.

“Where’s Clare and Malcolm?” she asked, looking around.

Emily shrugged. “No clue. But hey, guess who showed up dressed like she’s heading to a country club mixer?”

Deb followed her gaze and caught sight of Linda, dressed like she was heading to a cocktail party instead of a potluck. Her eyes were locked on Brock, her lips twisted into a sour expression.

“If she goes near him, I swear to God I’ll rip out every last one of her extensions,” Deb muttered, her voice like flint striking stone.

Emily laughed. “Please let her. I’ve always wanted to see you throw down.”

Deb remained silent as her eyes narrowed.

Emily checked her watch. “Okay, it’s officially egg-hunting time. I’m starving and ready to tear into some mac and cheese. You want to call it, or should I?”

“You have the honor, Momma,” Deb said with a smirk. “You are the official Easter Egg Hunt Master of Ceremonies.”

Emily rolled her eyes and then surprised Deb with a hard hug, nearly knocking the breath out of her. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” Deb whispered, warmed by the affection—right up until she caught Linda glaring daggers in their direction.

As Emily started calling the kids to the back, Deb turned and came face-to-face with the devil herself.

“Well, well. Looks like someone wormed her way back into the town’s good graces,” Linda said, her voice sugary-sweet and laced with poison.

Deb forced a calm breath. She wasn’t about to let Linda ruin her day. “Not today, Linda. I’m not in the mood for your crap.”

Brock had told her they suspected Linda of telling Tammy’s ex information about Tammy, including her letting Tammy and Ben stay at the farmhouse. There was no real proof, but Deb didn’t need facts. She knew.

Turning she looked at Linda, then at her sidekicks Darla and Sadie. It made her physically ill to think she used to be one of those sidekicks.

“Oh, relax. I’m just here to admire your bounce-back game. Scored yourself the sexy new shifter in town. Good for you.” Linda tilted her head. “I mean, I guess even the broken ones get lucky sometimes.”

Deb’s jaw clenched.

“But really,” Linda went on, “you should keep an eye on your little friend Tammy. I hear she’s working her way through Pack members now. Guess single moms have to get it where they can, right?”

That did it.

Deb’s fist moved before her brain gave permission. A clean, hard punch landed across Linda’s cheek, sending her stumbling into a folding chair with a gasp and a shriek. It seemed the self-defense program she did worked on beating the shit out of assholes pretty well.

“You want to talk about broken?” Deb snapped, stepping toward her. “Let’s talk about what you did. I know you contacted Tammy’s ex. I know you told him where she was and that she was staying at the farmhouse that I own. You risked her life and Ben’s life to stir up drama and feed your pathetic need to be relevant.”

Linda held her cheek, red and stunned. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, I do. I know enough. You’ve been spreading poison in this town for years, and I was right there with you.” Deb leaned in, voice low and lethal. “But not anymore. I know your games because I played them almost as well as you, unfortunately. I’m going to be watching your every move. If you hurt anyone else in this town, you will answer to me, and believe me when I tell you...you don’t want to cross that line. I just became your worst nightmare.”

Linda lunged, teeth bared, but Deb grabbed her by the shoulders and used Linda’s own momentum to flip her straight onto her back in the grass. The breath whooshed out of her in a grunt.

The crowd had started to gather—eggs forgotten, potluck plates suspended in midair. Even the kids were craning their necks to peek from the other side of the lawn.

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