Page 51 of Mountain Grump Protector

“You’re not welcome here, Hatch.”

“I’ll be on my way when I get what’s mine.”

The hair on the back of my neck bristles.

He makes a show of looking around. “Where is the little lady anyway?”

Luke clamps a hand on my shoulder, holding me back moments before I lunge for the fucker. “He’s just trying to get you riled up.”

“No,” Hatch says as if Luke had addressed him. “I’m trying to get what’s mine.”

“Willow has nothing to do with this.” I work hard to keep my voice level and my temper in check. Luke’s right. He’s only trying to get me worked up and give him an excuse to escalate this even further. I won’t give him the satisfaction. “I’ve got your money right here.”

“Bout time.”

Hatch uses his head to gesture at one of his cronies to step forward.

I toss the envelope at Dale’s feet, where it lands with a cloud of dust.

“It’s all there. Debt’s paid. Get the hell out of here.”

Dale bends to grab the envelope, and I have to hold myself back from kicking dirt in his face. My temper is only barely reined in.

Hatch takes his time flicking through the bills, counting them before tucking the envelope into his back pocket. “Price went up,” he says, spitting into the dirt. “Pretty sure I sent that message.”

“That debt’s not mine.” I cross my arms over my chest and spread my legs. “As far as I’m concerned. We’re finished here.”

Right on cue, because he’s clearly a bigger idiot than I thought, there’s the sound of gravel crunching behind me as Bryson leaves the safety of the garage.

“There he is.” Hatch’s gaze slides past me and lands on Willow's brother. “Thanks for the call. I was beginning to think you were hiding from me.”

Behind him, his men laugh.

Nobody on my side does, and the sound dies quickly.

“Where’s my truck?”

“I…it’s…I thought maybe you’d…”

“What?” Hatch’s facade of friendliness dies. “You thought calling me to give me the heads up on a debt that was already mine to collect on would buy you my forgiveness?”

Beside me, I see Bryson blanch. He’s an even bigger idiot than I thought. And a shady one at that.

“You stole from me, kid.”

“I was going to pay it back.”

Even I know that’s the wrong thing to say.

Hatch barks out a laugh. “No,” he says smoothly. “You weren’t.” And then to me, he says, “Hand him over.”

I should. After all, this kid has caused me nothing but trouble. And money. Never mind what he’s put Willow through. I don’t owe him any loyalty at all. Hell, I’ve already done more than my share.

I take my time looking between Bryson and the men waiting to beat the shit out of him.

Next to me, Luke shifts his weight. I know him well enough to know that he’ll back whatever decision I make. I also know him well enough to know that he already knows what I’m going to do.

“No.”