I angle my body toward her, giving her the room to stand and the cover to fall back if she needs it.
She doesn’t fall back.
“I’m not going with you,” she says.
“We’ll see what a judge says about that.”
Legend laughs once. “You think a judge gets to walk into Hell and collect women for you?”
Jeremy’s polished face tightens. “I think the law applies even here.”
Royal speaks softly. “The law gets shy at our county line.”
Oaks adds, “Sometimes it turns around and drives the other way.”
A couple brothers chuckle.
Jeremy ain’t amused.
Good.
Amelia’s fingers tremble at her sides. I see her trying to hide it. I want to take her hand, but I don’t. I don’t know if touching her right now helps or hurts, and for once in my life, I have enough sense not to grab what I want.
Jeremy points at her. “You’re making yourself look unfit.”
Her face drains again.
I move before I can stop myself.
My hand goes to the gate. I don’t open it. I just hit the metal hard enough to make the whole thing rattle.
Jeremy steps back.
Everyone does.
Except Amelia.
“Say one more word about her being unfit,” I tell him, “and I’ll come through this gate.”
Legend says, “Derby.”
There is warning in it.
Also permission if Jeremy is stupid enough to continue.
Jeremy collects himself, brushing rain off his sleeve like he can wipe away fear. “This is assault.”
“No,” I say. “This is me being polite through a fence.”
Oaks grins. “He is, actually. You should see him impolite.”
Jeremy looks toward Amelia again. “You need to think carefully. You are tired. You are upset. These people are using you because of some fantasy about your father.”
Amelia’s face twists.
Wrong move, asshole.
Legend steps closer to the gate. “Her father?”