His expression turned sharp. “That’s a bit harsh considering all we shared.” He reached out to touch her hand, but Rick pivoted a little and stopped Mike’s hand with his own.
Mike looked down at Rick’s prosthetic on his forearm and chuckled. “Really, Rick?”
“Let’s just go,” Jess whispered furiously. “Please, Rick.”
To her relief Rick let go of Mike’s arm, though he shifted a little so that his body shielded her from any contact with Mike. “What do you want?” Rick asked, looking Mike in the eye. “Are you trying to intimidate her? Scare her? What is it? Because she’s not alone this time, Mike. You think Josh messed you up? That’s a shadow compared to what I’ll do if you so much as touch her.”
“Christ, Rick. Don’t get yourself worked up. I was just saying hello.”
“No, you weren’t. You were playing games. And it stops right here.”
Mike, to Jess’s relief, backed up a step. But he wasn’t done. He addressed Jess once more. “You know, my staying away was based on you keeping your mouth shut and not spreading damned lies about me. Who’ve you been talking to, Jessy? All of Jewell Cove or just lover boy Rick?”
“Back off, Mike.” Jess lifted her chin and issued the order with more force than she’d realized she possessed.
Rick let go of her hand and she instantly missed the security of his touch. He took one small step closer to Mike. He didn’t threaten, but then he didn’t have to. His body language said it all.
Mike put his hands up, palms out in a supplicating gesture. “Jeez, easy there, tiger. You’re awfully protective.”
“Damn straight.”
A quick glance around told Jess that their little conversation in the parking lot hadn’t gone unnoticed. The day clerk was watching them intently from his window. The poor guy was probably scared they’d start a brawl in the parking lot on his watch and on Thanksgiving no less.
“Go home, Mike.” Jess’s voice came out stronger than she expected.
Mike raised an eyebrow. “Really, Jess? You and this gimp? You can’t be serious.” He started laughing.
Jess couldn’t quite believe how well Rick was holding his temper. He’d always been a bit of a hothead. And he had a tendency to act first and repent later. But right now, despite the tension she knew he was feeling, he was solid as a stone, putting himself between her and Mike and refusing to rise to the bait. Even when he was called a gimp to his face.
“He’s more of a man than you’ll ever be. I know you’re in town to see your mother and that’s fine, but leave me the hell alone.”
“It’s a free country. You never know where I’ll show up.”
Those words marked Rick’s tolerance point. He reached past the zipper of Mike’s jacket to the shirt underneath and gripped it in his hand, twisting so that Mike’s chin went up, stretching him so it looked like he had a chicken neck.
“You. Will. Not. Touch. Her. You will not show up at her place. If you see her in town, you’ll cross to the other side of the street, do you hear me? And if you so much as look at her or utter one word it won’t be just me you have to deal with. It’ll be Josh, and Tom, and Bryce.”
All the charm and confidence fled from Mike’s face as it reddened with anger. “Don’t dictate to me, little man. All it’ll take is one phone call to the police and I’ll have you up for uttering threats.”
Rick gave the collar a shake. “It’s not a threat, it’s a promise. And go ahead. Call the police. Bryce is the chief now. Let’s see how he reacts when he finds out you smacked his cousin around, huh?”
He let go of Mike’s collar and took a step back, still half-blocking Jess’s body with his own.
Mike shook his shoulders in an attempt to undo the twisting that Rick had exerted on his clothing. He looked over Rick’s shoulder, staring at Jess.
“Get gone,” Rick suggested. “While you still can.”
A cruel smile crept up Mike’s face. “Don’t worry,” he said, backing up. “She’s all yours. You can have the bitch. She was never much good in bed anyway, so you’ll be a perfect match, Gimpy.”
Jess was sure that all the blood drained out of her head. She saw gray dots behind her eyes for a few seconds and felt herself weave from light-headedness. But it only lasted a moment because the next thing she knew Rick
had pulled back his right arm and let it go again, his fist connecting with Mike’s nose.
Blood spurted as Mike doubled over, one hand resting on his knee while the other cradled his wounded face.
Rick turned around briefly and Jess saw barely suppressed rage on his face. “Go inside and get the ice cream,” he ordered.
Her feet wouldn’t move. She was frightened and intimidated, but most of all she didn’t want this to escalate into something bigger. Rick was a big man and Mike—well, she knew firsthand that Mike could throw a wicked punch. The last thing on her mind was her sister’s dessert. She was way more concerned about a fistfight in the middle of the G & S parking lot.