Chapter 3
Blaze
I wipe the sweat from my brow, the Montana sun beating down relentlessly. Brooke”s haunting words replay in my mind - the threats, the mental abuse, the fear clouding her eyes. A knot forms in my gut as I realize the severity of her situation. There”s too much I don”t know.
I need backup. And I need help doing a bit of research on one Vincent Richards.
Dillon and Jett arrive within the hour, their boots stomping the dirt off on the front door mat. We exchange familiar nods before getting down to business.
”We”ve got a situation,” I begin, recounting Brooke”s plight. ”It may be minor but I won”t run the risk that it could end up being a big deal. Her ex is bad news. Wealthy prick with a nasty temper from what she told me. We need to get her out clean and make sure she”s never a target again.”
Jett”s jaw tightens. ”You know we”ve got your six, bro. What”re you thinking?”
”Safe house for starters. Somewhere off grid until we can neutralize the threat permanently.” I pause, mulling over contingencies. ”We may need to get aggressive if he doesn”t back down.”
Dillon arches a brow. ”You seem awfully riled up about this one, Blaze. Don”t tell me you”ve gone soft on the little lady already.”
I shoot him a look. ”Can it, D. She”s been through hell - any decent person would want to help. I”m assuming you”re decent enough for the task.”
”Sure, sure.” A sly grin spreads. ”But I saw the way you looked at her when she got here. Gotta admit, she”s a cute little thing under all those tears.”
Jett chuckles, adding fuel to the fire. ”Our fearless leader”s finally playing white knight for a damsel in distress, huh?”
”You two are real comedians,” I growl. ”How about showing a little professionalism for once? Are you gonna help me keep this woman safe or just sit around cracking jokes?”
The banter ceases as they sense my rising temper. Dillon”s expression sobers. ”You know we”re locked and loaded, man. Just busting your balls a bit.”
”Well don”t,” I snap. ”This is serious business. Her life could be on the line here.”
An uncomfortable silence falls between us, thick as the summer heat. I take a breath, regaining my composure.
”I”m not asking you to abandon your regular work. But I need to know you”ll have my back if things get hairy with this potentially psycho ex of hers.”
They share a look, a silent conversation passing between the two men I”d trusted with my life more times than I could count. Finally, Jett gives a resolute nod.
”You got it, brother. We”ll handle this clown, no matter what it takes.”
Relief floods through me as my guys get on board, the tension in my shoulders easing slightly. But before we can solidify a plan, Brooke appears in the doorway, her eyes wide and face pale.
”I”m sorry, I didn”t mean to eavesdrop,” she says, voice trembling. ”But I heard raised voices and I just... I can”t let you all fight because of me. Maybe it”s better if I just go.”
She turns to leave but I”m on my feet in an instant, crossing the room to catch her arm. ”Brooke, wait. You”re not going anywhere.”
Tears glisten in her green eyes as she looks up at me. ”I don”t want to cause problems for you, Mitch. You”ve already done so much just by letting me in the door and feel like I”m in a safe space for a while.”
I shake my head firmly. ”Letting you walk out of here alone is not an option. You came to me for help and that”s exactly what you”re going to get. My team is on board, no matter what it takes.”
She bites her lip, uncertainty still clouding her features. I gently tug her back into the room, ignoring the curious stares from Jett and Dillon.
”Listen, why don”t we get out of here for a bit? Let me take you to lunch and we can talk more about the plan moving forward.”
Brooke hesitates, glancing between me and the guys. ”I don”t know...”
”Please,” I coax softly. ”You”ve been through a lot. Let me at least make sure you get a decent meal before we dive into all the heavy stuff.”
She relents with a small nod and I guide her out of the office, my hand resting lightly on the small of her back. As we step into the bright sunlight, I catch Dillon”s eye over my shoulder, giving him a subtle nod. He returns it, understanding passing between us. They”ll hold down the fort and start digging into Vince Richards” background while I focus on Brooke.
The drive into town is quiet, Brooke staring out the window with distant eyes. I steal glances at her as I navigate the winding roads, taking in the dark circles beneath her eyes and the way she absently twists her fingers in her lap. She looks exhausted, like she hasn”t had a moment”s peace in far too long.
I pull around to the parking lot in the back of the Mountaineer Steakhouse. The restaurant was on the square but overflow parking was necessary for the Mountaineer. It was packed every single day.
”I thought we were going to one of those trendy cafes in town,” she says.
I flash her a grin. ”Nah, this place has the best burgers in Montana. Trust me. But I suppose it could be considered somewhat trendy since it”s always packed and the food is to die for. They have really good steaks if that”s what you”re in the mood for.”
A ghost of a smile touches her lips and warmth unfurls in my chest. It”s a start.
We slide into a corner booth and I wave off the menus the waitress tries to hand us. ”Two specials, please. And two coffees.”
Brooke raises a brow as the waitress walks away. ”Ordering for me now? I actually have been here before even though it was a few years ago.”
I shrug, unrepentant. ”Like I said, best burgers around. Though the cherry pie is a close second if you”re feeling adventurous.”
She lets out a soft laugh and it”s like music to my ears. But too soon, the shadows creep back into her eyes and her smile fades.
”Mitch, I... I don”t know how to thank you for everything you”re doing. But I”m scared. Vince is relentless when he wants something. What if he comes after you guys too for helping me?”
I reach across the table to cover her hand with mine, feeling the slight tremor in her fingers. ”Brooke, I want you to listen to me. What you”re doing, standing up to him and getting out, it takes a hell of a lot of courage. And you don”t have to face him alone anymore. I won”t rest until I know you”re safe.”
She meets my gaze, her eyes searching mine as if trying to find any hint of deception. I hold steady, willing her to see the sincerity in my words.
”You really mean that,” she says softly, almost to herself. ”But why? Why are you putting yourself on the line for me?”
I squeeze her hand gently. ”Because no one deserves to live in fear, Brooke. And because when you showed up on my doorstep, I saw a fighter. Someone who”s been through hell but still has the strength to keep going. I admire that. And I protect what I admire.”