"Me too." My voice roughens. "Every damn day."
Our eyes meet, shared grief creating a bridge between us. For a moment, the air thickens, that dangerous pull between us returning, stronger than before.
Then the sound of tires on gravel reaches us, breaking the moment. I tense, immediately on alert. No one drives up this mountain uninvited. No one except family.
"Stay here," I say, moving to the front window.
She ignores me, following close behind. Through the glass, I can see a truck pulling up beside hers. A hunter green Ford with a lift kit and oversized tires.
Brad Cooper.
My blood turns to ice, then fire. What the hell is he doing here? How dare he follow her to my home, to my mountain?
"What's he doing here?" Riley's voice shakes slightly.
"Go to the bedroom. Lock the door." My tone leaves no room for argument. Or shouldn't, anyway.
"Like hell I will." She grabs my arm. "This is my problem. I'm not hiding."
"Riley—"
"No." She meets my gaze steadily. "I'm not afraid of him."
Pride flickers through me, despite my concern. Her courage has always been remarkable, even as a kid. But right now, it's not what's needed.
"Fine. But you stay behind me." I move to the door, yanking it open before Cooper can knock.
Brad Cooper stands on my porch like he has a right to be there. Clean-cut, expensively dressed, the golden boy of GrizzlyRidge with his father's money and his own inflated ego. But there's a wildness in his eyes today, his perfect appearance slightly disheveled.
When he spots Riley behind me, his expression darkens. "There you are. Should've known you'd run straight to your daddy's friend."
The disrespect in his tone makes my hands curl into fists. "You're trespassing, Cooper. Turn around and leave while you still can."
He ignores me, focusing on Riley. "You've got some nerve, you know that? Filing assault charges after what you did to me?"
So Sawyer had helped her file a report. Good.
"What I did to you?" Riley steps around me, ignoring my attempt to keep her behind me. "You grabbed me. You left bruises." She holds up her wrist as evidence. "All I did was defend myself."
"You're exaggerating." Cooper's gaze flicks between her wrist and my face. "It wasn't that hard. You've always been too sensitive."
Fury rises in me, white-hot and deadly. I want to break every bone in his body, starting with the fingers that dared mark her skin.
"She asked you to leave." My voice has dropped to a dangerous rumble. "I won't ask again."
Cooper draws himself up, trying to match my height and failing miserably. "This isn't your business, McKenna. This is between me and my girlfriend."
"Ex," Riley corrects sharply. "Very, very ex."
"We had a fight, Riley. Couples fight. You don't just walk out and file charges over nothing."
"Nothing?" Her voice rises. "You threw my laptop out the window! You said my writing was a waste of time, that I'd never amount to anything. You called me worthless!"
Each word is like gasoline on the fire of my rage. This isn't just about the bruises now. It's about a man who dared to make Riley Hart, brilliant, fierce, beautiful Riley, feel small. Who tried to crush her spirit.
"You have exactly five seconds to get back in your truck and drive away," I say with deadly calm. "Or they'll be finding pieces of you in these mountains for the next decade."
Cooper's face pales, but he stands his ground. "Are you threatening me?"
