Page 33 of Mountain Wood

“No, it’s not. And it never will be.” I’m great at a lot of things, including faking it. I might not have a clue what’s going on here, but I’m certain Dean’s not doing all this work to the cabins for the benefit of this cocksucker. “Now get the fuck out of my face before I rearrange yours.”

I try to storm past him, but he grabs my arm. Hard. My heart slams into my throat as adrenaline surges. “Let go.”

“Make me.”

“Fuck you.”

He arches a bushy eyebrow. “Is that an invitation?”

Eww. My pussy literally shrivels and dries up. “You have until the count of three to get your hands off me, Bryson. One…” I slightly crush my drink, popping the plastic lid off, and toss it in his face.

“Fuckingbitch!”

“Hey!” Dean storms out of the cabin. “Get your fucking hands off her!”

Oh shit.

Dean runs towards us, his fist primed to clock Bryson.

As much as I want to see him slug this motherfucker, I can’t allow it. “Dean, don’t!” I put myself between them.

“Move, Grace.” Dean’s tone is terrifying and dark.

“Don’t hit him.”

“He put his hands on you. He’ll be lucky if theonlything I do ishithim.”

Bryson laughs behind me. Letting go of my arm, he side steps around me. “Go ahead. Take a swing at me.”

Dean cocks his arm back.

“No!” I grab him, as if I can truly stop him from swinging his fist.

“Grace.” Dean gawks at me like I’m crazy and lowers his arm.

“He’ll call the cops if you hit him.”

“I don’t give a flying fuck. He’s trespassing and assaulting you.” Dean lunges to grab Bryson’s throat and I push him back.

Bryson makes it worse by laughing. I almost let Dean go, just to teach Bryson a lesson, but I can’t. I know his tricks and what he’ll do if Dean goes after him.

“Go ahead. Try something, you filthy inbreed.” Bryson stuffs his hands in his pockets. “Show Grace what a big man you are.”

I have no idea what I’ve stepped into, but it’s too late to back out now. I have to stop Dean from making this worse.

“Don’t.” I urge when he rips away from my hold. “Anything you do to him will lead to bad press, and that will help his bottom line.”

Dean freezes. “His bottom line,” he repeats slowly. Cautiously. “You knew?”

All I know is that Bryson is a slimy businessman, Dean is his target, and I’ve just put myself in the middle of it. I need to find a way to smooth things over before this gets worse.

“Aw, what’s the matter?” Bryson goads. “Did you think she was here for the scenery and fine dining?”

The hurt on Dean’s face sends my stomach plummeting. Shit, shit, shit. “Don’t listen to him, Dean. He’s just baiting you.”

He won’t stop staring at me like I’ve hurt him. I almost cave and confess I have no idea what’s going on, but Nick steps in.

“You need to walk away now,” he warns, holding a sledgehammer.

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