Page 5 of Tempt

“Okay, little brother,”Mike lifts me off Phil. I attempt to twist in his hold because I’m not done with this piece of shit. I’d wanted a chance to hit his smug face ever since I overheard him talking about a night he had with Kyra in his truck.

She deserves more respect than to be the topic of conversation with a group of disrespectful guys. What she ever saw in this sack of shit is beyond me.

“What the fuck,” Phil barks as he gets up from the ground, brushing the dirt off his shirt and pants.

When he turns to face us I feel satisfied. His nose is bleeding, his eye already starting to swell, and his lip is busted open.

“You’re gonna pay for that,” he says, and I can’t help it, I laugh smugly. I’m not scared, the scrawny fuck didn’t even get a swing in on me.

“I ain’t worried,” I shrug, holding my hands out to my sides. “Take your shot.”

Phil wipes the blood from his mouth and looks at his hand. Then he lifts his gaze to meet mine once more.

“If I were you I’d reconsider the thoughts rolling through your mind,” Mike says, still holding on to me. I struggle against him, and the bastard only holds me tighter. “In about thirty-seconds I’m gonna let him go. I suggest you're gone by the time that happens.”

Several guys chuckle and I assume it’s because Phil’s eyes widen. He was so tough a few seconds ago. And as if he allows my brother's words to sink in, he takes a step back before digging in his pocket for his keys. Then he turns around and starts to jog toward his truck.

True to his word Mike holds me and I start to calm down but that’s only until I turn around to find that the space where Kyra was sitting moments ago is now empty.

Julian offers me a sympathetic shrug, “She took off right after you tackled that asshole.”

Suddenly feeling defeated, I assume she’s pissed off because I tackled her man.

* * *

I wake to the sound of someone beating on my door.

Last night was a shit-show and the fact that I drank until I finally passed out on my couch probably wasn’t my finest moment. I’m paying for it now, my head pounding with each aching knock.

“I’m coming,” I groan.

I want to move, hell I even try but my body feels like it weighs several hundred pounds more than usual.

Again the knocking begins, and my head feels like it’s about to split in two.

“Enough,” I shout, immediately grabbing my head with my hands and willing the pounding to subside.

Forcing myself to move, I push up off the couch and start toward the door. Unlocking the deadbolt I yank open the door and have to blink a few times to make sure I'm not imagining this.

My head races with fear. The idea that something bad has happened fills my every thought.

“Garrett,” old man Miles stands on the opposite side of my door, who also happens to be the sheriff and a longtime friend of my dad’s. Deputy Sims stands behind him with his arms crossed.

“Is everything okay with my family?”

“We’re not here about your family son,” Sheriff Miles says, placing his hands on his hips. “We’re here for you.”

“Me?” I lift my hand and scratch my head, running my fingers through my dark hair.

“I’m gonna need you to get some shoes on Garrett, we need to take you into the station.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I hang my head, letting out a deep breath.

“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say and do can...”

Forget being arrested, my dad is gonna be pissed. And my mom, shit she’s gonna kick my ass.

“Turn around,” Miles holds up the cuffs and gives them a shake.

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