Page 56 of Falling For Her Cowboy
Theo fell to the ground, holding his thigh. She raced over to Ridge who lowered her gun. Where he’d found it, she didn’t know, but she was glad he had. Ridge strode over to Theo and kicked his gun out of his reach.
“This is the last time I’m going to tell you to stay down and shut the fuck up,” Ridge barked.
“Why? What are you going to do? You’re a lame-ass shot. You should have killed me. I’ll never stop coming for the bitch. She deserves to die. I’ll make sure it’ll be a slow death where she feels all the pain. You’ll find her body parts piece by piece.”
Ridge raised the gun again and this time aimed at Theo’s head.
“No!” she screamed.
She moved swiftly to his side and reached for his arm. She tried to pull it down, but he nudged her away. She scrambled back to him to get the gun. She didn’t want him to do something they’d both regret. He was too lost in his rage. She’d seen the look on other soldiers’ faces before.
“He’s not worth it.”
“Do you always do what your woman tells you? You don’t have the balls to shoot me again,” Theo sneered. The man must have a death wish, but hewas not going to get his wish at the expense of her man getting locked up for life.
“Don’t listen to him, Ridge,” she pleaded.
“Ridge!” a voice shouted from behind them. Draven emerged from the woods. The elder Harvey brother went toward them. “Put the gun down.”
“He threatened to kill her,” Ridge responded in a monotone. He had yet to take his eyes off Theo.
Worry filled her that Ridge was too far gone. She moved to him, but Draven shook his head. He arrived at Ridge’s side and forced his brother’s arm down. He took the gun from Ridge’s hand.
“Leave. Take her to get checked out. The authorities and an ambulance are on their way,” Draven calmly announced. He guided Ridge toward her.
Ridge hesitated at first, but something appeared in Draven’s eyes. There was a silent exchange between brothers.
Draven jerked his head toward Melah. “She needs medical attention. See to your woman.”
“Who the fuck are you?” Theo snapped. He leaned over and spat again. “If anyone needs medical attention, it’s me. He shot me. I want to press charges.”
Ridge came to her and gathered her into his arms.She leaned into his embrace and breathed him in. The strength of him surrounded her, and she never wanted to leave. A heavy sigh released from her. She was so thankful for him. He knew she didn’t need him to fight her battle for her, but he’d done so anyway.
“Get up,” Draven ordered.
The tone was chilling, and she glanced over at them. Draven reached down and practically lifted Theo from the ground.
“Let’s go,” Ridge’s voice rumbled from his chest.
She nodded and slipped her hand into his waiting one. He tugged her behind him as they walked toward the woods. She glanced over her shoulder at Draven leading a hobbling Theo in another direction.
“Who the fuck are you?” Theo hollered.
“Your worst fucking nightmare,” Draven replied.
Melah’s head snapped back to Ridge. She didn’t know what that meant, but Theo had a new problem on his hands.
Draven.
Ridge guided her along in the woods until they came out onto a path. He stopped abruptly and spun toward her. He brought her to him and lowered his head. His lips overtook hers in a hard kiss. He held her face in his hands, his mouth gentlymoving over hers. She leaned up on her toes and met his kiss.
“I love you, Melah,” Ridge murmured. His lips brushed hers. He rested his forehead on hers.
She wrapped her arms around his neck. His words only confirmed his actions. She’d known he’d had feelings for her, but hearing his admission of love was the icing on the cake.
“I love you, too, Ridge. Thank you for coming to my rescue,” she said.
A small smile appeared on his face. He leaned down and pressed another soft kiss to her lips. This man had been willing to kill for her, but that wasn’t what she wanted. She needed him in her life—forever.
