The room spun as I tried to regain my footing, but the women paid me no mind.
Josie and Emily were locked in a furious battle, their nails scratching and their fists flying. Furniture crashed and walls shook as the clinic echoed with the sounds of their scuffle.
Jess fueled the fire, whooping and hollering, urging Josie on. “That’s it, Josie! Show her who’s the fucking boss!”
Glaring at Jess, I shouted, “Would you stop antagonizing her and help me stop this shit before they get hurt!”
“Fuck no.” Jess chuckled as Claudia stepped up beside her, eating a bear claw, and grimaced as Josie slapped Emily across the face.
I shook my head at the two annoying bystanders and launched myself into the fray once more. I had to put a stop to this madness, but I was no match for their rage. I grabbed for Josie, trying to pull her away, but she shrugged me off, her eyes wild with fury. Emily took advantage of the moment and landed a blow to Josie’s stomach that doubled her over. I winced as Josie fell to her knees, but she quickly recovered, her eyes blazing with determination.
With a roar of anger, Josie surged forward, tackling Emily to the ground. They rolled across the floor, trading blows and pulling at each other’s hair. The room was in chaos, with papers scattered everywhere and the furniture askew. Jess and Claudia danced around, cheering and laughing. Knowing there was only one way to end this, I made a call.
“You have got to the bravest or the stupidest man on the fucking planet.” Mike smirked, shaking his head as he stood next to me as a deputy shoved Emily into a cell while Josie glared at me from behind bars. “Just not sure which yet.”
“Oh, he’s stupid,” King said, walking into the station grinning. “And as soon as Josie is out, she will show him exactly how stupid he is.”
I gulped, looking from King to Josie.
Yeah. Maybe calling Mike for backup wasn’t the best idea.
“You know, I think I might be a little bit of both,” I joked, rubbing the back of my neck as I shot a nervous glance at Josie, who was still glaring at me from her cell. “But hey, at least I tried to break up the fight, right?”
“Yeah, too bad you got knocked on your ass in the process.” Mike chuckled, clapping me on the shoulder, and I winced. “You might want to invest in some boxing lessons, my friend. Or at least learn how to dodge a wild swing.”
I grimaced, remembering the chaos of the clinic room. “You try dealing with those two hellcats. It was like trying to stop a tornado with my bare hands. And then Josie’s swing came out of nowhere—”
“Aw, poor baby,” King teased with a smirk. “Have you met my wife? Josie is a pussycat compared to Bailey. All you got was a little love tap.”
“Yeah, well, I’m just glad everyone is relatively intact,” I said, rubbing my jaw. “Though I think I might have a concussion.”
“You’ll live,” Mike said with a laugh. “And hey, at least now you know Josie’s a ride-or-die kind of girl. She wasn’t about to let that crazy ex of yours get away with her shit.”
I glanced over at Josie, who was still shooting daggers at me with her eyes. “Yeah, about that... I think I might be in the doghouse for a while.”
“Nah, she’ll get over it,” King said with a wave of his hand. “She just needs some time to cool off. Maybe some flowers and a romantic dinner might help smooth things over.”
“Flowers and dinner?” I scoffed. “Does that shit work with Bailey?”
“Fuck no,” King said, his smile fading slightly. “But then again, I’m married to the Queen of Darkness and you’re not. At least you can say your life will never be boring.”
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “That’s one way to put it.”
“Welcome to small-town life, my friend,” Mike said with a chuckle. “Where drama is always lurking just around the corner.”
“Great,” I muttered, looking at my watch. “Speaking of drama. Can you keep her here for an hour? I need to go check on something.”
Mike’s eyes widened as King laughed heartily. “You want me to keep Josie in jail? Boy, she’s already going to take your balls when she gets out. Do you want her to commit murder, too?”
“Carebear, I don’t think you understand the shitstorm you’re in. That woman is going to fucking kill you when she gets out.”
Ignoring the sheriff and King, I looked over at Josie and smiled. “Baby, I’ll be right back. Gotta go check on something.”
“You leave me in here, George, and I will castrate you!”
“Love you too!” I shouted, running out of the sheriff’s station.
Chapter Twenty-Three
