“Rafe Johansen isn’t going to be able to save you. Neither is Kyra Foster. I’m going to trounce all three of you. I give you my word on that.”
He laughed and shook his head. “Derrick always said he admired your feistiness and determination. He always said you’re like a vicious little Chihuahua. I can see what he’s talking about now. It’s absolutely adorable.”
“You need to get the hell out of here.”
Alex and Spenser both turned to find Ryker emerging from the shadows and heading their way with a full head of steam and a scowl on his face. His eyes were narrow slits as he glared hard at Alex, his hands balled into fists.
“Oh good, it’s the boyfriend,” Alex cracked.
Ryker stopped, putting himself between Spenser and Alex, his body drawn up and taut. Alex looked him up and down, and for the first time, she saw a flicker of uncertainty flash through his eyes. As skilled as he was as a killer, he relied on the element of surprise. Standing face to face with somebody as imposing as Ryker seemed to be something new to him. But he drew himself up to his full height and put a smug smile on his face.
“Relax, friend. We were just having a little chat,” he said.
“I’m not your friend,” Ryker growled. “And the chat’s over. Get the hell out of here.”
Alex grinned. “So, do you fight all of Spenser’s battles for her?”
Ryker let out a low grumble. “I’m not protecting her, idiot. I’m protecting you. If I let Spenser at you, she would tear you limb from limb and I don’t want her to have to explain to the town council why she beat you half to death.”
“That’s adorable. Really. Absolutely adorable.”
“Time to go,” Ryker repeated.
“I’m going,” he said. “But don’t worry, I’ll see you both around.”
Spenser and Ryker watched as Alex walked across the park, eventually melting into the shadows, and disappeared. When he was gone, he turned and took her hands in his, looking down at her with concern in his eyes.
“Are you okay?”
She nodded. “How did you know?”
“Maggie called and told me what happened at the town hall. She said you took off walking,” he said. “I drove around looking for you for a while before I saw you standing here with that creep.”
“I’m glad you showed up. Thank you.”
“I’m glad I found you,” he said. “I meant it when I said I was protecting that clown. You have got one wicked temper.”
Spenser laughed and leaned against him, laying her head on his chest. Ryker wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tight. Spenser looked up into Ryker’s dark eyes as a queasy, wavering smile touched her lips.
“Take me home,” she murmured. “I need something to drink. And my dog.”
Ryker laughed softly. “Your wish is my command.”
Hand in hand, they walked across the park. The hair on the back of Spenser’s neck stood up and goosebumps marched across her skin again. She couldn’t see him, but she knew Alex was still out there lurking in the shadows.
She knew he was still out there watching them.
“You didn’t see them, Ryker. You didn’t see the way they were looking at me in that auditorium,” Spenser said. “All that was missing were the torches and pitchforks.”
He laughed softly and put his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close, allowing her to draw strength from him. Spenser laid her head on his shoulder and stared into the flames that flickered, casting shadows that writhed like living things across the walls as the fire popped, sending a cloud of sparks up the chimney. Her eyes drifted down to Annabelle and Mocha. Both dogs were curled up on thick blankets in front of the fireplace.
If it wasn’t for the anxiety twisting her insides, making every muscle in her body tense and her mind spin, it would be a wonderfully domestic scene.
“This will blow over, Spenser,” he said gently.
“I wish I was more confident it would,” she replied. “It doesn’t matter that they had no proof. When Johansen was rattling off his lies, I watched the people and could see that some of what he was saying was sticking.”
“Don’t underestimate the people around here. They’re a lot smarter than you think and not nearly as dumb as Johansen and Ricci are banking on,” he said. “They will cut through the garbage and see the truth of it all. I guarantee you that.”
A wan smile touched her lips. “I don’t think that’s something you can promise.”
“Sure, it is. Let’s not forget you have a lot of people in this town who respect you,” he said. “And those people are going to be working their butts off to make sure you get re-elected.”
Spenser gave his arm a squeeze, wanting to take heart in his words, but all she could see and hear were the outraged murmurs and hostile glares from the crowd. Ryker got to his feet and carried their empty wine glasses into the kitchen. A few moments later, the dogs raised their heads as he walked back into the room, hoping he’d brought them something. With a quiet laugh, he tossed the dogs a treat, which they happily wolfed down.
The dogs settled, Ryker reclaimed his seat beside Spenser and handed her a glass of wine, which she accepted as readily as the dogs had taken their treats. She took a swallow of the wine and settled back onto the sofa, nuzzling closer to him.
“Thank you,” she said. “This is exactly what I needed.”
“You’re welcome.”
He was silent for a moment, his face clouded over with a thoughtful expression, then turned to her, his face etched with worry.
“I’m sorry for jumping into the middle of all that back in the park,” Ryker said. “I don’t want you to think I need to fight your battles or think you can’t take care of yourself.”
