“Get some damned Depends next time,” I clipped.
Jonesy choked on a laugh, but the other woman in the café just stared at the man on the floor, clearly in shock.
The reporter struggled to his feet. “Arrest this man,” he ordered Smith, still holding his nose. But the blood had leaked out, running down his face and onto his shirt. “He hit me. That’s assault.”
Aspen whirled on him. “You might need an MRI because your memory is obviously faulty. You tripped and hit your face on the floor.”
The man gaped at Aspen, then his expression went hard. “You lying little—”
I took one menacing step toward him, and he stumbled backward. He tripped over a chair and landed on his ass again.
Jonesy let out a hoot of amusement.
Officer Smith crossed to the man, helping him up. “I’m going to have to escort you out.”
The reporter jerked his arm out of Smith’s grasp and stomped toward the door. “You can’t hide the truth for much longer, Tara. I’m not the only one who sees.”
Aspen began to tremble, and I wanted to break the asshole’s face all over again.
Officer Smith followed him out with another muttered apology. I strode toward Aspen, framing her face in my hands. “Look at me.”
Her eyes slowly met mine, but they were unfocused.
“He touch you?”
“No,” she whispered.
“You okay?” I knew she wasn’t, but I had to ask anyway.
Aspen’s head bobbed up and down in my hands. “He was the worst of them.”
My brows pulled together. “You know him.”
She swallowed, her throat working slowly on the movement. “Oren Randal. He works for a newspaper in Jackson. When everything came out, most people believed me at first. But he never did. It was like he hated me on principle or something.”
Her eyes glistened as she struggled for words. “He’d call at all hours of the day and night. If I got a new number, he’d find it. He’d show up at my house. Find me if I moved to a new place. My work. He’d ask the most horrific questions.”
I wrapped my arms around Aspen, pulling her to me. “I’ll deal with him,” I growled.
Her hands fisted in my shirt. “No. He’ll be smarter next time. He’ll bait you and have someone recording. You need to stay away from him.”
There was true panic in Aspen’s words, her fingers so tight in my shirt I worried she’d rip it. I gripped her tighter. “Okay, Tender Heart. I’ll steer clear.”
She shuddered against me.
I wanted to kill the pissant for her fear alone. But I’d keep my word. I’d try to stay away. However, I’d sic my brothers on him with no apologies.
Aspen tipped her head back. “We need to go get Cady. I don’t want to be late.”
I nodded. “My truck’s in the back lot.”
“Okay.” She released me and took a few steadying breaths, then turned to her two patrons. “Sorry about the adventures today.”
Jonesy patted her on the back. “Don’t you worry about a thing, darlin’。 You just take care of yourself. Call me if you need me.”
“Thanks,” Aspen said, stretching up to kiss his lined cheek.
The woman I’d seen in The Brew a few times stood and slung a pack over her shoulder. She took Aspen’s hand. “Please be careful. Some of these people…”
Aspen squeezed the woman’s fingers. “I will. I promise, Elsie.”
She didn’t look convinced but nodded.
Once the customers were out the door, Aspen locked up and waved to Smith to let him know she was leaving. “Okay, I’m ready.”
I wrapped an arm around Aspen’s shoulders, guiding her toward the hall. She made a quick stop to grab her purse and then we headed for the back door. My heart still hammered against my ribs in a painful beat. Punching Oren hadn’t done a damn thing to satiate my rage.
We came to a stop by the passenger side of my truck. Aspen turned to face me, her eyes searching. “Are you okay?”
I stared down into that questioning gaze. “You’re asking me if I’m okay?”
She gave me a tiny shrug. “You did just punch someone in the face. I should’ve gotten you some ice before we left.”
“My hand’s fine.” It ached like hell, but I didn’t care. The pain only helped keep the edge off my fury.
Aspen lifted a hand and pressed it to my face. “Thank you.”
A burn lit beneath her touch.