Page 95 of Stuck with my Brother's Firefighter Besties

Tears blurred my vision as I clutched the envelope to my chest, my entire body trembling.

“Where is he?” Jaxon growled, his voice low and dangerous.

Nate pointed toward the side yard. “He’s lurking around back. Said he’d wait for her to show up.”

Without another word, Jaxon and Colt took off, their movements swift and purposeful.

“Lila,” Nate said, his voice sharp, “what’s going on? Who is this guy? And why the hell are there pictures of you with…” He gestured toward Ryan, his face contorting in disbelief. “Them?”

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. What could I even say?

“It’s not what it looks like,” Ryan said, stepping forward, his voice calm but firm. “But this isn’t the time to explain. Right now, we need to focus on keeping Lila safe.”

Nate’s eyes narrowed. “Safe? From who?”

Ryan hesitated, glancing at me before answering. “Rick. Her ex.”

Nate’s face darkened, his fists clenching at his sides. “The guy who screwed her over?He’sbehind this?”

“I think so,” I whispered.

Before Nate could respond, a loud crash came from the backyard, followed by Jaxon’s voice shouting, “Get back here, you son of a?—”

My heart leaped into my throat and I bolted toward the sound, Ryan and Nate close behind me.

When we rounded the corner, I saw Colt pinning Rick against the side of the house, his forearm pressed against Rick’s throat. Jaxon stood nearby, his fists clenched and his eyes blazing with fury.

“You think you can come here and intimidate her?” Colt snarled, his voice deadly. “Not on my watch.”

Rick struggled against him, his face red. “Get off me, you psycho!”

Before I could process the scene, Biscuit bolted out of the house. My little corgi tore across the yard like a furry missile, barking so furiously it would have been almost comical if the situation weren’t so terrifying.

“Biscuit, no!” I shouted, but he wasn’t listening.

Rick’s face twisted with irritation as Biscuit darted around his legs, barking up at him as though the little dog could take him on.

Biscuit might have been small, but his big-dog attitude didn’t know any better.

“Get this damn dog away from me!” Rick snarled, trying to shuffle back from Colt’s grip.

But Biscuit wasn’t backing down. He darted in closer, his growls turning into sharp, angry yips.

Rick’s face contorted, and he raised his leg.

My heart stopped. He was going to kick him.

“Don’t you dare!” I screamed, my voice cracking.

Before his foot could connect, Jaxon lunged, shoving him back so hard Rick stumbled and nearly fell. Colt pressed him harder against the wall, his knuckles white as he restrained himself.

“You just made a big mistake,” Jaxon growled, his voice low and lethal.

Rick, however, wasn’t done. His face flushed red with anger, his words turning venomous.

“You think you’re too good for me, Lila?” he spat, his voice dripping with malice. “Parading around like some little innocent when you’re nothing but a slut. Sleeping with these guys?”

He jerked his head toward Jaxon, Ryan, and Colt, his sneer deepening.

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