Page 55 of Off Limits
He grabbed his father by the shirt and slammed him against her Jeep. The metal thunked beneath his force. “I told you to stay away from here, old man.”
“And I told you that I needed some cash,” his father spat. “You can either give it to me or I can get it from that sweet pussy you’re banging.” He nodded toward Jane, eyes glowering.
Brady shoved him harder. “Watch your fucking mouth.” His voice was lethal. “You go near her again, and I swear to God...”
“You swear to God what?” his father mocked. “I finally found the one thing that might inspire you to help me out.” He struggled against Brady’s hold.
“If you so much as breathe in her direction, it will be the end of you,” Brady bit out. His chest heaved with his breaths.
She walked around the car and placed a hand on Brady’s shoulder. “Let him go, Brady.”
His posture softened, but his hold on his father did not.
“Brady, stop.” Her voice was firm. “You have the situation under control. He didn’t touch me.”
At her words, Brady dropped his hands from his father and stepped back, chest heaving. She slipped her arms around his waist, anchoring him, trying to soothe the tremors rippling through him.
The old man bristled, muttering curses under his breath. His eyes were wild with resentment. Then he straightened and jabbed a finger at Brady. “You’re good for nothing.”
Brady went rigid against her, his heat radiating like a furnace. She glanced up at him—at the hard set of his jaw, the storm raging in his brown eyes—and her own breath caught. This wasn’t the same man who teased her in the kitchen or held her under the covers. This was someone created from old scars and hardened anger.
“That’s rich,” Brady said through gritted teeth.
After a humorless laugh, his father said, “What’d you do? Find someone soft enough to fix all the shit broken within you?”
“Don’t listen to him,” she pleaded. She hugged him a little tighter.
His gaze didn’t leave his father. “You don’t get to stand here and talk to me like I’m the failure. You lost the right to judge me a long time ago.”
His father scoffed, stumbling backward. “You think you’re better than me now?”
“I don’t think. Iknow.” Brady’s voice remained steady despite his heart practically busting through his ribcage.
The silence that followed wasn’t peaceful—it was heavy. But Brady did start breathing again, his chest rising and falling against her cheek.
“What’s going on out here?’ She heard Rex’s voice behind them.
“My father decided to make an appearance.” Brady’s words were clipped.
Rex stood next to her with his hands on his hips. He glanced at Brady’s father, then turned to her. “Did he hurt you?”
She shook her head. “No. He just asked for money.”
“Can you take her inside?” Brady released her and nudged her toward her brother.
She clung to him. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Neither am I.” Rex stated.
“Aw! What a cute little group you have,” his father barked.
“I don’t want to call the police again, Richard,” Brady growled. “This would be the second time in just a few weeks that you’ve trespassed on our property.”
“What the hell do you need?” Rex barked, stepping forward.
“Money!” Richard’s voice was thick with desperation.
“How much?” Rex reached for his wallet in his back pocket.
