Page 42 of Beautiful Harmony

“You look fucking good tonight, sweetheart,” Brad slurred. He wore a firefighter’s helmet and jacket, and he reached down absentmindedly and scratched at his crotch.

She grimaced inwardly. Brad was also a firefighter, but unlike Jesse, who was sweet and a good guy, Brad was a real asshole with an ego the size of Mars and a serious drinking problem.

“Thank you,” she said. “I didn’t realize you and the sheriff were friends.”

“Oh, we’re not. Fucking cops hate us fire boys. You know how it is. They want all the glory and girls, but it’s us firefighters the bitches can’t resist. But me and Jesse heard about the party and decided to crash it. Figured it was probably boring as fuck, and we’re always the life of the fucking party.”

“I’m sure,” she said with a thin smile. “Excuse me.”

“Hold on.” His sweaty hand gripped her wrist, pulling her to a stop. “I like your dress.” His gaze slipped to her breasts before back to her face. “You look good with your birthmark hidden.”

“Let go of me,” she said.

He frowned at her, his body swaying. “I’m complimenting you on your looks. You should be grateful. I fucking know you don’t get that very often.”

She took a step forward until her chest almost touched Brad’s. “Let go of me now, you stupid asshole, before I kick your nuts into your damn throat.”

He dropped her wrist like she was on fire, a pouty look washing over his face.

“Go away, Brad,” she said and backed up a step or two.

“Whatever, you ugly bitch. Like I’d fuck you even with that shit on your face covered up.”

“What the fuck did you just say to her?” Lucas’s voice came from behind Emma. Her stomach tightened, and adrenaline jolted through her veins at the fury in his voice.

Lucas stepped around her, and she immediately slid her arm around his waist and pulled him to a stop. “Lucas, don’t.”

“If it ain’t the fucking golden boy of Willington,” Brad said with a sneer. “Oh wait, that was your little dentist friend until he fucked up his knee. You’re just a loser who sits in his basement and plays video games.”

“Go anywhere near Emma again, say even one fucking word to her, and I’ll send you straight to my dentist friend with your teeth in your fucking pocket. Do you understand, Brad?” Lucas’s body practically vibrated with rage.

“You wanna have a go at me?” Brad asked. “Fine with me. Let’s step outside, you fucking asshole.”

“Lucas, walk away with me right now,” Emma said.

Lucas didn’t tear his gaze from Brad. Sweet, easygoing Lucas had disappeared, and Emma could deny it all she wanted, but Lucas’s intensity and protectiveness were a shameful turn on for her.

She cupped Lucas’s face, making him turn his head to look at her. “I want you to walk away. If you fight with him, people will stare, and you know I hate it when people stare at me.”

A hard gleam lit his hazel eyes, and for a moment, she doubted he’d even heard a word she’d said to him. Relief washed over her when his body relaxed a fraction, and he looked -reallylooked - at her.

“I don’t care what he says,” she said in a low voice. “He’s a drunk who’s always running off at the mouth. Please walk away with me, Lucas.”

He nodded. “Whatever you want, baby.”

“Thank you.” She let go of his waist, and he immediately took her hand, linking their fingers as they turned away from Brad.

“Fucking pussy,” Brad sneered from behind them. When it didn’t garner a reaction from either of them, he said, “You know, Emma, you should show off your tits like this more often. A guy might actually fuck you, assuming he could put a bag over your head.”

Lucas snarled with rage and dropped her hand to turn to face Brad. Before Emma could say a word, he punched Brad in the face. Brad squealed like a rat, blood spraying from his nose as he crumpled to the floor. Lucas dropped onto him, holding him by the collar of his jacket before punching him again in the face.

“Lucas, stop!” Emma shouted.

She yanked on his arm, but he shook her off easily and punched Brad again. The man howled in pain, his feet drumming on the floor and snot and blood bubbling from his nose. “I’m sorry, man, I’m fucking sorry!”

Lucas raised his arm to punch him again. Emma could have cried with relief when Preacher and Gideon pushed past her. They each grabbed an arm and dragged Lucas off the crying, bleeding Brad.

“Let me go!” Lucas snarled at them.

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