to appear harmless, and for the most part, he might be, but the slight gleam in his eyes gives him away. He’s a stature driven, khaki-wearing, preppy bastard who craves a dirty victory.
He’s only getting warmed up.
I should go.
His head snaps up in the next second, the sound of tires against gravel catching his attention. His brows dipping in the center. “What cabin did you say you’re in again?” He looks back to me.
I lick my lips, staring at him head-on. “I didn’t, but you didn’t ask.”
“What cabin you staying in, Rae?”
“Aspen.”
Nobody says anything, but based on how each head turns toward Collins it’s obvious they know who the largest cabin on the lot belongs to.
I move my eyes around the group.
Each sits up taller, a few stepping closer to their leader, closer to me.
And then Collins steps into me, quickly wrapping his arm around my middle as he pulls me against him.
I frown and go to shove him back, but his lips quickly fall on mine.
I’m about to knee him in the nuts when I’m yanked backward and basically tossed onto the dirt.
I look up just as Maddoc lands a nastyass punch across Collins’ jaw. In the next second Royce jumps clear over the three-foot-high, two-foot-wide air hockey table, quickly moving forward to keep Collins’ friends from jumping in to help their boy.
Maddoc’s large, angry hand covers his throat, blocking off his airway, and he doesn’t let up. He continues to squeeze his neck to the point where Collins’ face starts changing shades and he frantically pulls at Maddoc’s wrist.
But Maddoc gives him no leeway and my pulse spikes. Shit could get real bad, real quick.
But Captain comes around the table then and calmly lays a hand on his brother’s shoulder. He whispers something in his ear and Maddoc’s stare snaps to mine.
I swear he’s fucking shaking, and I consider moving or speaking or something, but the manic look in his eyes has me thinking better of it.
With one more twitch of his wrist, he tosses Collins to the ground.
The boys back up a few steps until a solid line is formed in front of the others.
Outnumbered by a handful and still, they’re dominant. Looked up at.
Feared.
I push off the ground, not bothering to dust the dirt off myself.
I step toward Collins who fights for a solid breath and Maddoc snatches my wrist, his lip curling up as he gets in my face.
“He just put his hands on me,” I hiss.
I jerk my hand and at first there’s resistance, but then his frown deepens and he loosens his grip enough for me to yank free.
Royce jolts toward me, attempting to grab me just the same, but I dodge him with a glare.
I step to Collins and when he looks up at me, I lift my foot and plant it in the center of his chest, knocking his ass back down to the ground while he’s still feeling weak.
I drop down slowly, so my knee can take my foot’s place and Maddoc takes a step closer.
My eyes bounce between Collins, my neck heating in anger the longer I stare.
“You little rich prick with a hard on, how fucking dare you,” I breathe, anger vibrating against my ribs. “I tell you to step back and you grab me, forcing your lips on me instead? That how you like to play?” I lift my other foot off the ground, forcing all my weight onto his sternum. “What you’re feeling right now is nothing compared to what you will if you put your hands on me again.”
He spits to the side, asking a question of his own. “Thought you said you weren’t a Bray girl?”
“I’m not.”
All three boys fire off at the same time.
“The fuck you aren’t!”
“Watch your mouth.”
“Don’t be stupid.”
I turn my scowl to them, ignoring the bitter laugh that leaves Collins.
“I’m—” I start to argue, but Maddoc cuts me off.
“Later.”
Right then, Collins’ hand darts up, ready to grab ahold of me, but before he can, Maddoc is stepping down on his wrist, his shooting hand – basketball player and all – and his eyes go wide.
I don’t get to talk shit back, though, because in the same second, Royce’s hand clamps over my mouth and I’m lifted, his arm around my waist as he carries me off ... like a damn child.
He tosses me in the back of someone’s Jeep. He waits until they skirt off before he lets go and when he does, he shoves away from me.