“You bitch.” Sam reached for her arm and snarled, “You humiliated me!”

Greer tried to shake him off, but Xander could see his grip tighten. An unexpected growl escaped him, and his wolf rustled just below his skin. The anger and resentment radiating off the other man was exasperating his beast and he wanted him gone.

“Take your hand off her,” Xander said softly.

Sam, oblivious to the danger he was in, snapped, “You aren’t even a part of this so shut the fuck up.”

With lightning speed, Xander wrenched Sam’s hand from Greer’s arm and tilted his fingers back until he dropped to his knees, whimpering.

“I’m going to let you go and you’re going to walk away. After that, you’re to stay away from Greer. Understood?”

When Sam opened his mouth, Xander could tell he was going to protest, and he increased the pressure. Sam finally yelled, “Fine, shit, let me go!”

Xander released him abruptly and stepped back. He caught the horrified expression on Greer’s face and he cursed himself. He’d let his emotions get the best of him, which only proved how dangerous she was to his peace of mind. Only hours after meeting her, he was ready to throttle any man who hurt her.

This was not good may have been an understatement.

Sam cradled his injured hand to his chest. “I’ll sue your ass!”

Xander scoffed. “You can try, but I’ve got nothing you’d want.”

Sam climbed to his feet slowly, smirking. “If you’re trying to get in her pants, you’re wasting your time. Her legs lock at the knees,” Sam said, crudely.

Before he could launch himself at the bastard, Greer cracked him across the face with her palm. “Shame on you. And shame on me for ever thinking you were worth a moment of my time.”

Sam reached up and rubbed his cheek, glaring.

“Its time for you to walk away,” Xander said.

He could tell Sam had more to say, but one glance at the other man’s injured hand sent Sam scurrying away. Once it was just the two of them, Xander opened his passenger door for Greer.

“What was that?” she asked quietly.

Xander had sensed by her reaction that she was upset with him, but there was no way he could have stood by and let that piece of shit manhandle her.

“I was protecting your honor?” His attempt at a joke fell flat and he sighed, “I’m sorry. I know I don’t know you well, and that I should have just let you handle your own business, but he had no right to touch you like that.”

“I agree, but you could have really hurt him.”

“So could you.”

The corner of her mouth kicked up the tiniest bit. “Not really. I’m weak.”

“I don’t agree. I think you’re tough as nails. As for me, I was in complete control,” he lied.

“It looked to me as though you were ready to lose your shit on Sam if he made a wrong move.”

Xander shook his head. Humans. They never understood the strength shifters had. Not that Greer had any idea what he was, and it was obvious that this whole misadventure had been a bad idea. He should have maintained his focus. He should have taken her to the hospital and let her friend pick her up. Getting involved with her was dangerous and stupid, to say the least.

When he’d been standing inside waiting for the food, he’d overheard a couple of elderly gentlemen talking about shifters and why all of them should be rounded up and taken care of. It all laid credit to the fact that Idaho was not werewolf friendly and he’d do his best to conclude his mission and move on. Maybe back to Denver. Let Clyde’s wife find him a mate.

“I wouldn’t have hurt him unless he gave me a reason to.”

Greer tilted her head, studying him intently. “Are you a convict?”

“What?”

“Have you ever been in prison?”