Page 85 of Shelter from the Storm

“Of course you can.”

“But—”

“I have nothing else to say to you, Briggs. It’s over. Your acceptance of that doesn’t impact my life one way or the other. I sincerely hope you are getting help, because you need it. God forbid you ever treat another woman the way you treated me.”

It would appear she’d finally pushed him too far because, eyes narrowed with fury, he pointed his finger at her threateningly. “You can’t talk to me like that, you fucking bitch!”

“It’s time for you to leave.” Theo released her hand as he placed himself completely in front of her.

Briggs stared Theo down as his mask slipped off completely. “Fuck you. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Get out,” Theo said.

Briggs’s fists clenched, but he thought better of throwing a punch when Jace, Sam, and Levi appeared, standing next to Theo, building a wall of muscle in front of her.

Briggs took several steps away, aware he was outnumbered.

“You’re making a mistake, Gretchen. This guy’s gonna see what a mental case you are, and he’ll kick you to the curb. You’ll come crawling back to me soon enough, and if you’re lucky, I’ll take you back, you stupid, worthless cunt!”

Theo lunged forward, ready to charge, but Sam held him back. “Easy, bro,” Sam said.

His brother’s actions gave her time to step around him to place her hands on Theo’s chest. “Sam’s right. He’s not worth it.”

Briggs snarled. “I’m not worth it?! Me?”

Gretchen twisted around in time to see Briggs move toward her, hand raised. The action one Gretchen had endured too many times in the past.

Mentally, she prepared herself for the blow, her eyes clenched tightly shut. But this time, it didn’t land—and when her eyelids lifted, she was shocked to see Briggs being physically dragged from the brewery by Theo, Jace, Levi, and Sam.

“I’m a fucking cop!” Briggs shouted, struggling against their relentless hold. “I’ll have you arrested for assault! Get your fucking hands off me!”

“Show up here again and I’ll get a real cop to arrest you for trespassing,” Theo threatened, as the four of them dragged him out of the brewery and to the parking lot.

Remi stepped next to Gretchen, gaping at her. “You are so fucking badass.”

“Holy shit,” Gretchen breathed. She’d been fired up in the midst of the confrontation, adrenaline taking over, but now…

Now, her hands were shaking, her heart racing, her insides quivering like they were made of Jell-O. Her knees went weak, and for a moment, she was afraid she might fall…but then she felt firm hands on her shoulders, lending her strength.

Theo had returned. He must have let his brothers finish taking out the trash so he could come back to her.

“You were incredible,” Theo said. “Jesus Christ, Gretchen. I’ve never been prouder of anyone in my life.”

Gretchen threw her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist, clinging to him, his words the bolster she needed.

Or maybe bolster was the wrong word.

Because she felt something hard in his jeans, and suddenly, her body was aflame.

She pulled back at the same time Theo did, and saw the same thing reflected on his face.

“We’re heading out, Remi.” Theo didn’t bother to look at his cousin, who laughed knowingly as Gretchen lowered her legs. He wrapped a firm arm around her waist, guiding her out of the brewery.

She didn’t ask where they were going. Instead, she matched him step for rapid step, all the way along the path to the brewhouse. Theo led her to his office, pushing her inside before closing the door behind them.

Before she knew what was happening, he pressed her against the door as she gripped his shirt tightly, pulling him closer. Their lips clashed in a kiss that was almost brutal in its passion.

“I want you,” he panted.

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