Page 22 of Hot Winter Nights (Bear Mountain Rescue 1)

Hunter took Allie’s hand, threading his fingers with hers. “Next time, we’ll just stick to the fun.”

Jealousy churned in Dex’s stomach. He’d had enough. “If we’re going, can we get a move on? I don’t really want to spend the night in a cell with these two dickheads.”

Both Allie and Hunter shot him a dirty look, but he was beyond caring. His head, his face, and his back…every part of him hurt and the room was starting to spin. The last thing he wanted to do was pass out at the Grizzly.

Finally, Allie released Hunter’s hand and stepped forward, putting her arm around Dex’s waist. “Come on.”

Dex wrapped his arm around her shoulder and leaned on her a little more than he needed to.

Hunter roughly helped the bikers to their feet. He was already pissed about not being able to take Allie home, and now he was stuck here, cleaning up Dex’s mess.

Come on, the last thing Dex needs is an assault charge on his record. Allie taking him home was the best option.

Still, Dex hadn’t deserved the help tonight. He’d been an asshole this morning and in the hour before the fight broke out. For a moment or two, Hunter had gotten the feeling he was jealous of Hunter being out with Allie.

Trying to push his suspicions aside, Hunter stared into one of the burly biker’s dark eyes.

“I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that your records aren’t so clean that you can afford another run-in with the cops, so I’m giving you a chance. You can leave town now, no hard feelings, but if you stick around—”

“We’re gone,” one of the bikers said, shooting his buddies a warning glance. The guy who’d started it with Dex didn’t look happy about it, but wasn’t going to be stupid.

Once the bikers were out of the bar, Hunter handed Penny Dex’s wallet. “This is Dex’s. Whatever cash you find, give it to the owner. Dex will come in and work it out for the rest.”

“And what about the other damages? Those men caused some, and so did you. Is Dex supposed to get stuck with the whole thing?” Penny asked.

Why is Penny being so hostile?

For some reason, Hunter was furious enough at Dex to almost say yes, but he didn’t. “No, I’ll settle my part of the damages, too.”

“Fine.” Penny set the bat down on the bar and grabbed the broom. When she tossed it at him, he caught it in midair. “Then you can start now by helping me clean up this mess.”

Allie parked Dex’s truck in front of his place, ready to tell him to get out. He hadn’t said a word to her the entire drive, which had left her alone with her thoughts and a roller-coaster of emotion.

I was just in a bar fight. A man came at me and Dex stopped him.

Allie opened her door and glanced over at Dex. A bruise was already discoloring his cheek, and the cuts and scrapes across his knuckles were probably going to be sore tomorrow. He looked so peaceful and beautiful despite his injuries. His lips, which had escaped unscathed…she was tempted to lean over and wake him up with a kiss.

Of gratitude, of course. For protecting her.

She needed to stop thinking like that. It was insane. The man was drunk as a skunk and beat up. She needed him to get moving, because there was no way she was going to carry him inside.

“Dex, wake up.”

He snorted.

After she got out and went around to the passenger side, she pulled his door open and leaned in. Giving his shoulder a gentle shake, she hissed, “Dex, come on, you’re gonna have to walk.”

Grabbing his arm and putting it around her shoulder, she grunted as she tried to lift him out of the car.

“What are you trying to do, rip my arm off?” Dex mumbled.

“Yes, that is exactly what I’m trying to do, you idiot. I need your help. I can’t carry you inside, so you’re gonna have to stand up and walk.”

“Whoa, why so snippy?” Dex stood up an

d leaned so hard against her she nearly stumbled.

“Will you at least try to walk straight? You’re a lot bigger than me, and if you don’t stop swaying, we’re both going down.”

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