Oren Randal just grinned. “That’s not any way to greet an old friend, is it?”
Images flashed in my mind. Him shouting horrible questions at me as I ran from the courthouse to a waiting police cruiser. Him waiting outside my office, my home. Never giving me a moment’s peace. Telling everyone who would listen where I lived, worked, and spent any time.
My breaths came faster as my body remembered the feeling of constantly looking over my shoulder. Of never feeling safe.
“Get out, or I will tase your ass and get you thrown in jail,” I growled.
Oren’s eyes flashed. “Wouldn’t be the first time you tried to ruin a man’s life, would it?”
Roan’s imposing figure appeared behind Oren. I hadn’t even heard him come in.
“Back away from her before I rip your spine out through your nose.”
35
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.