“You know she did none of that. Little Miss Ray of Sunshine wouldn’t know how to be anything but sweet.”
“Blind as a fucking bat,” Butch muttered. “Why the hell did she ever set her sights on you?”
“If she means so much to you, why don’t you make a move on her?” West snarled at Butch.
“Maybe I will, dick head.”
He moved a step closer when he heard a vehicle pull up around the front of the house. A door slammed shut, and a bad feeling came over him.
Without a word, Alec started moving fast around the house. West and the others followed close behind. They reached the front porch to see Mia fly out of the house towards the big, black truck, where Beau was currently opening the passenger seat. The windows were tinted so West couldn’t see in, but he wouldn’t be opening the door for Maddox.
“You got her?” Mia called out.
“Damn it, Mia, I told you to stay in the house,” Alec growled.
“It’s just Beau.”
“Just Beau? Darlin’, I’m crushed.” Beau’s words were teasing, but the tone was strained. And West didn’t have a chance to wonder why before Beau reached into the cab of his truck and lifted out the small female from inside. He kept her bundled against his chest and West felt his heart hammer.
What. The. Fuck?
He could see the dark curls. He knew it was her. But she wasn’t moving. Didn’t speak. Just lay in Beau’s arms.
What. The. Fuck?
West strode down the steps, but then Alec was there, holding out an arm across his chest.
“Back off, Alec,” he snarled, fury riding him hard.
“Last person she’ll want to see is you,” Alec replied bluntly. It was no less than the truth. But he didn’t like it. Not one bit.
Shit.
Had he made a huge mistake?
You know you did. That’s why you’ve been in such a shitty mood these last few days. You went too far.
He’d hurt her. He’d justified it by telling himself it was for her own good, but that didn’t mean it was the right thing to do.
“She okay?” Alec barked out as Beau got closer. Mia was walking with him, her face pale and shocked.
“No,” Beau told him. When he looked up at him, his eyes were hard. Cold.
He climbed the stairs, and that’s the first opportunity West had to see her face. He sucked in a breath.
“Who. The. Fuck. Hit. Her?” he roared.
Felicity flinched then moaned in obvious pain from the movement.
“Shut your mouth, man,” Beau snarled at him. “She doesn’t need this right now.”
“Beau,” Felicity said in a low voice.
“It’s all right, darlin’,” Beau said soothingly. “You’re all right. No one is ever going to hurt you again. I promise.”
It should be him saying those words to her. Holding her. Reassuring her.
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