Phoenix Rising

Daniel nodded, cracking his knuckles.

"Phee is off limits."

"Sorry, boys. The lady is mine. It's a done deal."

"Like hell it is!"

Daniel rolled up his sleeves.

"You're going to have to get through us first."

I grinned widely, eager to let off some steam. I couldn't beat the fool who'd fired their weapon, but I could pummel the Delanceys. And make my claim on Phee official in the process.

"Gladly."

To give them credit, they took turns trying to stomp me into the mud. I had to respect that. If they had doubled up on me, it would have been a real short fight.

After about twenty minutes we were all starting to look a little worse for wear, but no one was winning. I held up my hand as Jackson cocked his fist to take another swing at me.

"Hold up. I need to check on Phee."

"Hell, no. Daniel will do it."

I nodded my agreement.

"Aright. But make sure she drinks that whole bottle of water!"

Daniel nodded, still managing to look pissed off while being agreeable. They put their cousin first though, that was obvious. It was kinda sweet when you thought about it.

Not that I had time to think about it.

Jackson was swinging for me again.

"You stay away from our little girl!"

He landed a punch.

"She's not a little girl! She's mine!"

I landed a punch.

"No, she ain't! She's ours! We won't let you trifle with her!"

He landed a punch.

"This is no fling! I'm asking you for Phoenyx's hand in marriage!"

I landed a punch.

"Hell no, you can't marry her! She's still a child!"

I smiled at him slowly, my meaning plain as day.

"She's no child. You can trust me on that."

Jackson roared and came at me. That's when I saw her. Phee was standing with Daniel, watching the whole damn thing.

"You should be sitting down!" That was the last thing I said before Jackson tackled me into the mud. I'd turned away just in time to miss seeing him charging at me like a bull. We wrassled on the ground until we both ran out of steam and collapsed side by side.

I groaned, staring up at the sky as Jackson lay in the dirt beside me.

That was a lesson learned. I knew it would serve me well for years to come. Hopefully, for the rest of my ever-lovin’ life.

Never turn your back on a Delancey with a bone to pick.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Phoenyx

Men! They were all nothing more than big babies!

I stared in shock at Clint, who was sprawled out on the ground. Daniel was smiling and Jackson looked like he wanted to commit murder. But I didn't care. I’d heard my man say something that made my pulse race and my heart sing.

Clint McRae wanted to marry me.

"My final answer is no. You are not marrying our little girl."

Clint groaned and held his head. He tried to get up but Jackson shoved him back down again. I stepped forward to stop them but Daniel held me back.

"I was just asking to be polite. I love her. And she's mine. Not yours."

Jackson staggered to his feet, blood leaking out of the side of his lip. He turned and gave me a ferocious look but I wasn't scared of him. Never had been, never would be. He was all bluster anyway.

"Did this guy touch you, Phee?"

I laughed, feeling giddy. They all frowned at me like I'd lost my mind. I may have just been thrown off a horse, but all I could think of were wedding bells and white dresses.

Clint wanted to marry me.

Daniel stepped in front of me and peered at me, his blue eyes full of concern.

"I think we need some x-rays. You mighta hit your head harder than we thought."

"I'm fine! I'm happy, you big lug!"

Clint was shaking his head. He stood up this time, slapping Jackson away when he tried to stop him.

"Daniel's right. We can't trust the medic. We need an MRI. Specialists. Lots of tests. We should get an ambulance over here right now. Or is it faster to drive?"

He scooped me into his arms like I was a ragdoll.

"Put me down, Clint."

I wiggled in his arms. He squeezed me, not letting go.

"No can do, babygirl."

Daniel was already talking to the event coordinators and the doctor, trying to figure out where the closest medical facility was.

Clint started walking towards the car but Jackson stood in his path.

"Hand her over. McRae."

"Hell no!"

"We're family. You're just some dirty old man."

I rolled my eyes. This was getting to be ridiculous. They were practically the same age! Jackson was twenty-seven and Clint was thirty-two.

"If you don't get out of the way, I'm going to have to kick your ass."

Jackson sneered.

"I'd like to see you try!"

Clint stood there, not backing down. And not handing me over either. He squeezed me reassuringly and smiled.

"You can go to hell, Jackson Delancey. I'm keeping her."

Chapter Twenty-Five