When I reach Owen’s truck, I round the front of it and see he’s got Libby pinned against it as his hands pull at her clothes. My vision turns red, and I react. I use one hand to grab him by the hair on the back of his head, and I use the other to grab his shirt. I pick him up off the ground and body slam him back down to it before I start kicking him.
My heavy-booted foot lands on his side, and he cries out in pain. Good. I want him to scream just as loud as he was making my precious Libby scream. I want him to know fear like he showed her, and I want this motherfucker to never lay a hand on anyone ever again.
Reaching out, I grab his arm and hold it out. Then I bring my boot down on it, hearing the bone break. His scream turns to a piercing cry, but it’s soon drowned out by the sound of sirens.
I’m sure my driving in town caught the attention of the sheriff, and I’m thankful they’re on their way. I lean down, giving Owen a punch to the side of his face that’s unmarked.
“You so much as breathe the same air as my sister again and I’ll bury you where no one will ever find your sorry ass. You got me?”
“Yes,” Owen groans as he rolls to his side and starts to cry.
I turn around and see Libby on the ground in front the truck, tears in her eyes as she watches the whole thing. I walk to her carefully and kneel in front of her. The adrenaline is fading, and all I want to do is hold her, but I don’t want to scare her.
“Baby girl. Talk to me. Are you okay?”
She turns her red-rimmed eyes on mine, and for a moment, I’m terrified she won’t ever look at me again. That somehow I’ve ruined everything between us, and not because of what we’ve done, but because I’ve reacted so violently. I hold my breath, waiting for her to say something, but she surprises me by throwing herself into my arms.
I scoop her up and hold her close, carrying her away from where Owen is crying like a bitch. I carry her all the way to my truck, hearing her quiet sniffles as I walk. When the sheriff pulls up and gets out, he comes over to us and tries to assess the situation.
“Mind telling me what’s going on, Jasper?”
That’s the thing about living in a town the size of ours. The cops know everyone, including our parents, so they don’t have to ask a ton of questions. And normally, things can be sorted out without any real interference.
“Owen assaulted my girl, and I beat the shit out of him.” Libby stiffens a fraction in my arms, and I wonder which part of that statement makes her uneasy. “I’m gonna take her home now and make sure she’s all right. I’ll send my dad out to get her car later.”
“That him making all that noise?” The sheriff nods down to where Owen is rolling on the ground.
“Yeah. He’s got a broken arm and probably some broken ribs. He’ll need to go to the hospital,” I tell him calmly.
“All right. I’ll call it in. We’ll need to take Libby’s statement later, but we can do it over the phone. Make sure she’s safe first.”
“Thanks, Sheriff Colton.”
I walk away from the sheriff and then realize that he knows who Libby is, that she isn’t my girl but my sister. He didn’t bat an eye to it, but maybe it’s because of the situation. Or maybe he doesn’t give a fuck and he’s glad I got her safe. Either way, I’m glad she’s all right.
I put Libby in the cab of my truck, but hold her close to my side as I drive away from the lake and take a turn away from town. I don’t break the silence. I simply kiss the top of her head and rub her back as I drive.
“Where are we going?” she asks as she sits up a little and notices we aren’t headed towards home.
“We’re going home, baby girl. To our house. I want you safe, and the best place for that is in my bed.”
“Jasper,” she says, leaning into me and wrapping her arm around my waist.
“I told you I’d always come for you Libby. I’ll always chase you down and bring you home. This time it’s to the place where you should have been long ago. You’re mine and I’m yours. There’s no getting past it. Now I just want to hold you and remind myself that you’re safe.”
She nods against my chest, and we ride silently the rest of the way.
When I pull up to my house, I get out of the truck and pull her into my arms, carrying her up the steps.
“I can walk just fine,” she says, a little smile in her voice.
“I’ve been wanting to do this since the day I bought the place.” I kiss her forehead as I carry her over the threshold and into our home.
I got this house with her in mind and always hoped that one day she’d see it and fall in love. I kick the door closed behind us and carry her to the master. I lay her down on the king-size bed and crawl in with her, pulling her close to me, wanting to give her as much comfort as possible.