“Like fuck she is. She’s with me. She’s mine.”
“I don’t see no fucking ring on it,” Taff retorted.
Carter made an angry growling sound and shoved the gun harder into the soft part under Taff’s chin.
Taff winced and closed his eyes.
“You really want to start this with me?” Carter snarled. “Really? Are you that fucking stupid?”
Taff grimaced and tried to turn his head.
“Are you?” Carter snarled.
“No.”
“First sensible thing you’ve said all day.” Carter’s muscles were tight and bunched, a wild beast who’d caught his prey. He stayed like that for several seconds, as though deciding what to do, then suddenly he lifted up and tucked his gun into the waistband at the back of his jeans again.
“You’re an asshole,” Taff muttered, pushing up to his elbows.
“Yeah, an asshole who’s going to whip your ass if you ever speak to my woman again. You’re lucky I’m in a good mood today.”
This is his good mood?
Carter strode toward Leah, his back to Taff, clearly not worried about any kind of follow-up attack.
Taff straightened his t-shirt, wiped his bloody lip on the back of his hand then, muttering, mooched back to the bar.
“You okay, babe?” Carter cupped her face and stared into her eyes.
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have left you with the wolves. Forgive me.”
A trembled attacked her belly. It was a delayed reaction to seeing the gun shoved under Taff’s chin, the way it had dented and paled the skin. The menacing glint of the metal and Carter’s finger coiled around the trigger.
Carter must have seen something flash over her eyes. “Hey, it’s okay. That’s not the first time Taff’s had to be put in his place.”
She nodded. Just a little.
“Or the first time he’s had a gun pointed his way.”
She wondered how many times Carter had faced the barrel of a gun. How many times he’d fired one in anger or self-defense. Whether or not he’d hit his target.
“Leah.” Carter lowered his face so it was all she saw. “Don’t think about it.”
“About what?” She swallowed, her throat tight. Her belly was tight too.
“Whatever is making you look terrified.”
“I’m not terrified.”
He swept his lips over hers. “It’s different rules in here, that’s all. You’re not in Cheers and Beers anymore.”
She said nothing.
“Come on, let’s get outta here. I shouldn’t have brought you.” He took her hand in his, curling his fingers in a firm grip.
“No, no, I’m glad you did. It was good to meet your mom and play pool with Wyatt and Belle, even if it was only for a minute or two.”