Chapter 35 Roan
ROAN
My hands fisted so tightly I wouldn’t have been surprised if I broke a knuckle. The reporter’s words swirled in my head, making spots dance in front of my eyes. “Wouldn’t be the first time you tried to ruin a man’s life, would it?”
The guy’s head jerked in my direction, and he paled. It was a smart reaction. There was enough fury running through me to snap his neck in a single breath.
But then he made a dumb move. He ignored that flight response and went for false bravado, straightening his shoulders and trying to appear taller. He wasn’t successful.
“I was having a conversation with the woman. It’s still a free country, isn’t it?”
“Sure. You’re free to make your choices, just like I’m free to snap your arm in three places before I break your nose,” I snarled.
The man’s jaw dropped. “You all heard that. He threatened me. I’m going to have you arrested.”
Jonesy began to whistle. “The only thing I heard was you intimidating a woman who asked you to leave her establishment.”
The reporter’s face turned beet red. “I have a right to ask my questions.”
I prowled toward him. The rage swirling inside me was a living, breathing thing. A monster hungry for blood. “You don’t have any rights. And you sure as hell don’t have the right to terrorize an innocent woman with your fucked-up ideas.”
He stumbled back a step, then another. “It’s the truth. I’ve spent more time reporting on this case than you’ll ever know. I’ve spent time interviewing the accused. You should listen to what John has to say. He—”
I shoved the man’s chest hard. “If I wanted to listen to bullshit, I’d follow you to the damned toilet.”
Anger flashed in the reporter’s eyes. “Careful who you ally yourself with. She’ll take you down, too. Spin lies about you and ruin your life. She’s a bitch, just like the rest of them—”
I struck before I had a chance to temper my response, my fist connecting with the man’s nose, the punch ending in a satisfying crunch.
He crumpled to the floor in a heap, curling in on himself and cupping his face. “You broke my goddamned nose!” he howled. But his voice was all wrong.
Footsteps sounded in the hallway, and Officer Smith appeared. He frantically searched the room. “Oh, shit.”
I glared in his direction. “Where the hell were you? You were supposed to be watching the door.”
Aspen stepped into my space. There wasn’t even a hint of fear in her beautiful green eyes. She pressed a hand to my chest. “It’s not his fault.”
“The hell it’s not. He was supposed to be watching for assholes like this one.”
“I-I had to use the restroom. I’m sorry,” Officer Smith stammered.
“Get some damned Depends next time,” I clipped.
Jonesy choked on a laugh, but the other woman in the café just stared at the man on the floor, clearly in shock.
The reporter struggled to his feet. “Arrest this man,” he ordered Smith, still holding his nose. But the blood had leaked out, running down his face and onto his shirt. “He hit me. That’s assault.”
Aspen whirled on him. “You might need an MRI because your memory is obviously faulty. You tripped and hit your face on the floor.”
The man gaped at Aspen, then his expression went hard. “You lying little—”
I took one menacing step toward him, and he stumbled backward. He tripped over a chair and landed on his ass again.
Jonesy let out a hoot of amusement.
Officer Smith crossed to the man, helping him up. “I’m going to have to escort you out.”
The reporter jerked his arm out of Smith’s grasp and stomped toward the door. “You can’t hide the truth for much longer, Tara. I’m not the only one who sees.”
Aspen began to tremble, and I wanted to break the asshole’s face all over again.
Officer Smith followed him out with another muttered apology. I strode toward Aspen, framing her face in my hands. “Look at me.”
Her eyes slowly met mine, but they were unfocused.
“He touch you?”
“No,” she whispered.
“You okay?” I knew she wasn’t, but I had to ask anyway.
Aspen’s head bobbed up and down in my hands. “He was the worst of them.”
My brows pulled together. “You know him.”
She swallowed, her throat working slowly on the movement. “Oren Randal. He works for a newspaper in Jackson. When everything came out, most people believed me at first. But he never did. It was like he hated me on principle or something.”
Her eyes glistened as she struggled for words. “He’d call at all hours of the day and night. If I got a new number, he’d find it. He’d show up at my house. Find me if I moved to a new place. My work. He’d ask the most horrific questions.”
I wrapped my arms around Aspen, pulling her to me. “I’ll deal with him,” I growled.
Her hands fisted in my shirt. “No. He’ll be smarter next time. He’ll bait you and have someone recording. You need to stay away from him.”
There was true panic in Aspen’s words, her fingers so tight in my shirt I worried she’d rip it. I gripped her tighter. “Okay, Tender Heart. I’ll steer clear.”
She shuddered against me.
I wanted to kill the pissant for her fear alone. But I’d keep my word. I’d try to stay away. However, I’d sic my brothers on him with no apologies.
Aspen tipped her head back. “We need to go get Cady. I don’t want to be late.”
I nodded. “My truck’s in the back lot.”
“Okay.” She released me and took a few steadying breaths, then turned to her two patrons. “Sorry about the adventures today.”
Jonesy patted her on the back. “Don’t you worry about a thing, darlin’. You just take care of yourself. Call me if you need me.”
“Thanks,” Aspen said, stretching up to kiss his lined cheek.
The woman I’d seen in The Brew a few times stood and slung a pack over her shoulder. She took Aspen’s hand. “Please be careful. Some of these people…”
Aspen squeezed the woman’s fingers. “I will. I promise, Elsie.”
She didn’t look convinced but nodded.
Once the customers were out the door, Aspen locked up and waved to Smith to let him know she was leaving. “Okay, I’m ready.”
I wrapped an arm around Aspen’s shoulders, guiding her toward the hall. She made a quick stop to grab her purse and then we headed for the back door. My heart still hammered against my ribs in a painful beat. Punching Oren hadn’t done a damn thing to satiate my rage.
We came to a stop by the passenger side of my truck. Aspen turned to face me, her eyes searching. “Are you okay?”
I stared down into that questioning gaze. “You’re asking me if I’m okay?”
She gave me a tiny shrug. “You did just punch someone in the face. I should’ve gotten you some ice before we left.”
“My hand’s fine.” It ached like hell, but I didn’t care. The pain only helped keep the edge off my fury.
Aspen lifted a hand and pressed it to my face. “Thank you.”
A burn lit beneath her touch.
“For making me feel safe for the first time in five years.”
Panic coursed through me like a wildfire taking out dry brush. I wanted to give that to Aspen. More than anything. But the fear that lived inside me said I’d fail when it truly counted.
I pressed my forehead to hers. “I’d do anything for you. Anything.”
Aspen’s breath hitched. “I know.”
I stood there for a moment, just breathing in her cinnamon scent and letting it calm the beast that still raged inside me. After a minute, I released her and opened her door. “Let’s go get our girl.”
Something flashed in Aspen’s eyes that looked a lot like hope as she slid into the truck.
We made the drive in less than two minutes and pulled up to the carpool line just as school was getting out. Cady ran toward my truck, and Aspen got her situated in the back.
“Mr. Grizz, we had art today, and I drew you a picture. It’s of me and Dory. That way, you’ll never, ever forget Dory, and this is like her telling you thank you. It’s in my backpack.”
My ribs constricted, squeezing my lungs. “Thanks, Tiny Dancer.”
She kicked her legs up and down, glitter boots shining. “Can Charlie and I have a playdate tomorrow? There’s no school.”
Aspen twisted in her seat. “I don’t see why not. Let me text Lawson and see if it’s okay with him.”
“Yay!” she cheered. “I’m gonna marry Charlie one day. Then we’ll all be family.”
My eyebrows just about hit my hairline. “You’re too young to be thinking about marriage.”
“Not now, Mr. Grizz. Later. When I’m old like Mama.”
Aspen snorted. “Gee, thanks.”
My lips twitched. “Just as long as you’re not thinking of running away on us now.”
“Never! I’m having way too much fun. Our slumber parties are the bestest.”
Aspen glanced my way. Some of those shadows had cleared with her daughter’s excitement. “Being the bestest is the highest compliment she’s got.”
“Nuh-uh,” Cady argued.
Aspen arched a brow at her. “Then what is?”
She grinned. “Sharing my glitter nail polish.”
I barked out a laugh. “Good to know.”
When I pulled into Aspen’s drive, there wasn’t a reporter to be found, but Lawson still had a cruiser parked out front. I knew that was a sacrifice with the murder case going on at the same time, and I appreciated it more than I could say.
I waved to the officer as we turned in. By the time I parked, Cady was bouncing in her seat. “I gotta get out.”
Aspen hurried to get Cady free and unlock the door. “Do you need to pee?”
“Nope!” Cady ran inside, and Aspen gave me a puzzled look.
A second later, Cady reemerged, putting on a helmet.
“Katydid,” Aspen said. “Let’s save bike riding for after your snack.”
“I’m not riding my bike,” she called, running toward the pasture.
We trailed after her.
“Where are you going?” Aspen yelled.
“Ms. Breaker taught us about goats today. She said this is how they play.”
Cady slipped through the rails on the fence and headed straight for the four goats. They all brightened at her arrival. Then she lowered her head and ran toward one.
Aspen gripped my arm, but the goat just lowered his head in answer, and they headbutted. Cady let out a giggle as she turned to the other goat. They crashed into each other, and Cady went flying with another giggle. “I’m a goatie now!”
A laugh rumbled out of me as the third goat started nibbling on Cady’s pant leg.
Aspen stilled next to me, her gaze slowly finding mine. There was wonder in those green eyes.
“What?” I asked.
“Most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard—you laughing.”