“Not so brave without your friends, are you?” Travis sneered, stepping closer.
Seyla attempted to go around him, but he blocked the path. “I’m not having this conversation with you, Travis.”
“Oh, I think you are,” he hissed. “Ethan knows you used him and he blames you for losing his job.”
“How could Ethan lose his job? He works for you.”
“Not anymore, he doesn't.”
“You fired your own nephew?”
Travis lifted a hand, picking at his fingernail. His gaze drifted back to Seyla, eyes narrowing to the laser point focus of a cobra. “I can't have loose lips hanging around. Bad for business.”
“Only because most of your business is illegal.”
Travis spit some tobacco onto the ground and leaned closer.
Seyla flinched away, hoping it hadn’t hit her shoe. Another wave of nausea rolled through her. She slapped a hand over her mouth in response.
“No idea what you’re referring to. I’m running a simple, law-abiding mechanic shop.” Travis narrowed his sunken eyes again. “No, Ethan blames you. And you’ll pay for messing with us.” He stalked closer. “That cut is nothing compared to what’ll happen to you if you don't stay out of my way.”
Seyla braced herself.Don’t let him see your fear. She dug her nails into tightened fists at her side, focusing on the pain topurge all else from her mind. “I had no idea you were related to Ethan until the last time I had dinner with him. I had no intention of using him.”
“You used him to get on my property to see that liger. He knows it, too.”
“I didn’t know you had a liger, let alone that you bought it illegally, until he told me.”
“Because it’s none of your business.”
“Yeah it is, if it’s malnourished and abused. And now that the majority of the town suspects it, it’s only a matter of time until your under-the-table canned hunt operation is shut down for good.”
Travis took another step forward. Seyla stepped sideways. He stepped sideways too. “I own that animal. It’s mine, and I’ll get it back, one way or another.” He leaned in closer. Like a hunter stalking its prey.
Seyla retreated, realizing too late that the sanctuary van was right behind her. She bumped into it. Travis’s mouth lifted in a cruel slash of a smile.
He closed the distance between them, bracing his arms on either side of her.
Sweat broke out on Seyla’s forehead and upper lip. Her vision swam. The overwhelming stench of alcohol and body odor assaulted her. She concentrated on steadying her breathing, teeth clenched tight.
Not now.
Her fingers found the opal necklace at her sternum and held onto it. She lifted her eyes to his. “Get back, Travis. Now. I don’t want to hurt you.” She braced herself for what she’d have to do if he didn’t.
He laughed in her face. “You’re the one who’s going to get hurt, missy, if you don’t stay outta my way.” Travis glanced at thehand gripping the necklace. “Or maybe I should return the favor and take something of yours.”
If he laid a hand on her, she’d have no choice but to defend herself. Despite all of her practice, doubt hovered in the background. Could she do it? Could she hurt a person?
Seyla hesitated, her hand fisting around the necklace.
Travis grabbed the fist, along with the necklace.
The metal bit into her skin, but she held tight. She couldn’t lose her necklace. The thought alone caused her anxiety to spike.
Seyla tensed further when Travis’ grip tightened, readying herself to do what she’d trained to do.
Now!
She drove the heel of her hand into what should have been the guy’s sternum, but it met only empty air.