even further. “If you touch Kristi again without permission, I’ll take you down. Am I clear?”
After his slight nod, Eli released Hugh abruptly. The operative moved to stand by Kristi’s side.
“Who is this Neanderthal?” Hugh asked in a raspy voice, rubbing his shoulder.
“Part of my security detail.”
A scowl. “That’s impossible. I personally chose all the men assigned to keep you safe.”
Kristi stared. “You chose a security detail for me?”
“Of course. You’re the most important person in my life, sweetheart.”
Revulsion twisted her stomach into a knot at the term of endearment. If Rafe called her sweetheart, she would have appreciated it. The term sounded wrong coming from Hugh.
Eli folded his arms across his chest. “Some security team. They’re invisible.”
“Hey,” one of the WS guards at the door protested.
“No one invited you into this conversation,” Wolf Pack’s leader said. “Zip it.”
“The team I hired for you are highly qualified security specialists,” Hugh said. “They’re not supposed to be seen. A true professional would know that.” He glared at Eli.
“Would have been helpful if they’d been around when Kristi was kidnapped.”
Hugh shifted his gaze from Eli to Kristi. “You wouldn’t have been kidnapped if I was with you in Gatlinburg, but you refused to allow me to go with you.”
Rafe’s hard hand settled at the small of Kristi’s back. “Let’s take this upstairs. One of your clients just arrived. Can Jill handle things for a few minutes?”
She nodded and turned to Eli. “Tell Jill that Maggie’s here. I’ll be down in a few minutes.” Kristi had a feeling Rafe was holding onto his control with a tight leash. Had he heard the confrontation between Eli and Hugh?
“No problem, sugar.” Eli looked at the WS guards crowding the door. “You boys go back to your vehicles and stay there, or you’ll be having a nice chat with the local police about trespassing on private property.”
Rafe motioned for Hugh to walk ahead of them. His hand wrapped around Kristi’s as he climbed the stairs with her.
Hugh shoved open the door to Kristi’s living space and stalked inside. When she and Rafe walked in holding hands, Hugh’s face turned red. “Get your hands off her. Are you responsible for the bruises on her face?”
Oh, man. Kristi winced. Wrong thing to say.
Rafe pinned Hugh against the wall with a forearm pressed against his throat. “Unlike you, I’d never lay a hand on her in anger. If you ever touch Kristi again, I’ll tear you apart.” His low voice carried an edge of steel.
“I didn’t hurt her,” Hugh protested.
“You shook her. No man worthy of the name treats any woman with disrespect, much less one he professes to care about.”
“She’s going to be my wife. I’ll treat her any way I want. You have no right to interfere.”
Her jaw dropped. Good grief. Enough. If she delayed delivering the bad news any longer, this confrontation would devolve into bloodshed. “I’m not marrying you.”
Hugh’s eyes widened. “What?” he croaked. “Of course you are.”
“Rafe,” she murmured. “Please.”
The operative released Hugh and stepped back to stand beside her. His hand rested against her lower back again in silent support.
“Kristi, you can’t mean that.” Hugh straightened from the wall. “We belong together.”
“I don’t love you.” If she hadn’t been sure already, Hugh’s ridiculous statements and posturing would have convinced her.
He waved that aside. “We have fun together. Your father approves and plans to bring me into Stewart Group. We look good together, Kristi, and we operate in the same social circles.”
“I want more in a mate, and so should you. I want a husband who puts me first instead of himself, one who adores me, and supports my goals and decisions. That man isn’t you.”
“You can’t call off the wedding. The plans are already in place.” His voice rose.
“Ward.” Rafe’s tone held a warning.
“You had no right to make wedding plans without my consent or input.”
“You’re cheating on me.” He turned his scathing gaze to Rafe. “He’s the one, isn’t he? I saw the way he looked at you. He’s constantly touching you.”
“I like him touching me.”
In response, Rafe slid his arm around her waist and tucked her against his side.
“Are you crazy?” Hugh snapped. “He’s a security guard and doesn’t belong in our social circle. Have you investigated his background? He’s after your bank account.”
“Unlike you, I don’t need Kristi’s money,” Rafe said.
“I’m employed and have family money, not that it’s any of your business.”
“Anything that threatens her safety is my business, including you.”
“I’m no threat.”
“Your behavior indicates otherwise. So does your