Aiden slung his arm around my shoulders the second we walked through the door—probably staking his claim or some other testosterone-fueled thing. Ford got the message loud and clear.
“Glad to see you finally got with the program,” he said to Aiden.
I ignored both of them and went over to where Tanner was wrapped in a blanket. “How are you feeling?”
“Better,” he said, and his voice sounded stronger. “They sent out a doctor, and I got some meds. I’ll be good as new in a day or two. How did it go at the convention?”
Aiden came over and clapped his brother on the arm. “I’ve got to admit, those fans were the real deal. They think you’re the catch of the century.”
“Jealous?” Ford asked him.
“Na. He can have those fans. Hell, he can have the whole state of Iowa. I’m feeling generous tonight.”
I sat down next to Tanner, and Aiden and Ford took the armchairs on either side of the living room. “So,” Ford began, looking at Aiden. “Care to tell us what’s put you in such a good mood? And why you and Ronnie aren’t at each other’s throats?”
“We found other ways to settle our differences.” The look Aiden gave me made my pulse pick up. The memories of last night filled my mind and it was all I could do not to start grinding against the couch.
“So perhaps there are some things we should figure out,” Ford said.
“There are,” Aiden replied. “But not just yet. First, Ronnie’s got a problem, and I think I know a way we can help her.”
Ford and Tanner looked at each other, and then looked at me. Finally, Tanner spoke up. “Let’s hear it then.”
Friday was the last bonfire. Luckily, Tanner had recovered enough to join in, which was a good thing because Aiden had had food flown in again. This week, it was homestyle barbecue, catfish, and a variety of sides like cornbread, fried pickles, and fried sweet potato fries. All of it had come fresh from Tennessee.
Aiden had planned it as a surprise for me, but I couldn’t seem to sit still long enough to enjoy the food. Sierra had already gone back to California, and Aiden and Tanner were sitting at a picnic table with Mac.
I sipped some beer but threw most of it out. I munched on cornbread, but it felt heavy in my stomach. Feeling restless, I paced around the fire a few times, making small talk here or there, but I never stayed in one spot for long. At a quarter to nine, I walked up the dimly lit path between the buildings. I was just passing Tina’s office when it happened.
The attack came from my right, and despite all my recent training, my first instinct was to run. Then a dark figure in a ski mask crashed into me and we tumbled to the ground, and I knew it was too late for that. My thoughts were completely scattered for several long seconds before my training kicked in.
Think.
He had me on the ground and he was going to try to pin me. I rolled out from under him, giving him a shove as I passed. I got to my feet the same time he did. We circled each other for a moment and then he lunged. I sidestepped, and he flew right past me. He caught himself quickly and went for me again. I feigned a knee to the groin, and he took a quick step back. But I spun around and sent my elbow straight at his chin. He grunted and I followed up with a right hook.
When I moved in again, he caught me, twisted me around, and slammed me to the ground again. He dropped to his knees, but they didn’t land on my spine because I rolled away and got to my feet. I ran at him, and he used my momentum against me, throwing me over his shoulder. I rolled over his back and landed on all fours with a grunt.
I heard shouting from what sounded like miles away, but I couldn’t concentrate on that. I needed all my focus. When he came at me again, I swept my foot under him, knocking his legs out from under him. He hit the ground hard and I did the flip I’d learned from Ford to bound to my feet.
“Ronnie!” A man’s voice came from nearby. It seemed to distract my attacker and I aimed an uppercut right at his chin. His head wobbled and he appeared dazed. That’s when I delivered a knockout blow.
“Ronnie!”
Coming back to myself, I saw Mac trying to get to me. Both Aiden and Tanner were holding him back, but he was so strong that they were losing ground. “Help her,” he shouted at them.
And then he pulled out of their grip and came thundering toward us, murder in his eyes. I stepped in front of the man on the ground and said, “Stop!”