Page 78 of SEAL's Resolve
“Let go,” Eli snapped, his tone edged with frost, a hand clamped on the expanse between Hugh’s neck and shoulder. He pointed a finger at the WS guard who charged into the room. “Out, or you’ll regret it.”
The man backed up, glaring at Eli.
Hugh’s grip loosened as shock filled his eyes and blood drained from his face. He gasped and, a second later, released Kristi.
She moved out of reach, stunned at his violent reaction and Eli’s quick response. Had she been totally wrong about Hugh? Before today, she refused to believe him capable of harming her. Now, she wasn’t so sure.
“You okay?” Wolf Pack’s leader asked her, expression grim.
She nodded. “Thanks.”
Eli shifted his hold slightly, and Hugh paled even further. “If you touch Kristi again without permission, I’ll take you down. Am I clear?”
After his slight nod, Eli released Hugh abruptly. The operative moved to stand by Kristi’s side.
“Who is this Neanderthal?” Hugh asked in a raspy voice, rubbing his shoulder.
“Part of my security detail.”
A scowl. “That’s impossible. I personally chose all the men assigned to keep you safe.”
Kristi stared. “You chose a security detail for me?”
“Of course. You’re the most important person in my life, sweetheart.”
Revulsion twisted her stomach into a knot at the term of endearment. If Rafe called her sweetheart, she would have appreciated it. The term sounded wrong coming from Hugh.
Eli folded his arms across his chest. “Some security team. They’re invisible.”
“Hey,” one of the WS guards at the door protested.
“No one invited you into this conversation,” Wolf Pack’s leader said. “Zip it.”
“The team I hired for you are highly qualified security specialists,” Hugh said. “They’re not supposed to be seen. A true professional would know that.” He glared at Eli.
“Would have been helpful if they’d been around when Kristi was kidnapped.”
Hugh shifted his gaze from Eli to Kristi. “You wouldn’t have been kidnapped if I was with you in Gatlinburg, but you refused to allow me to go with you.”
Rafe’s hard hand settled at the small of Kristi’s back. “Let’s take this upstairs. One of your clients just arrived. Can Jill handle things for a few minutes?”
She nodded and turned to Eli. “Tell Jill that Maggie’s here. I’ll be down in a few minutes.” Kristi had a feeling Rafe was holding onto his control with a tight leash. Had he heard the confrontation between Eli and Hugh?
“No problem, sugar.” Eli looked at the WS guards crowding the door. “You boys go back to your vehicles and stay there, or you’ll be having a nice chat with the local police about trespassing on private property.”
Rafe motioned for Hugh to walk ahead of them. His hand wrapped around Kristi’s as he climbed the stairs with her.
Hugh shoved open the door to Kristi’s living space and stalked inside. When she and Rafe walked in holding hands, Hugh’s face turned red. “Get your hands off her. Are you responsible for the bruises on her face?”
Oh, man. Kristi winced. Wrong thing to say.
Rafe pinned Hugh against the wall with a forearm pressed against his throat. “Unlike you, I’d never lay a hand on her in anger. If you ever touch Kristi again, I’ll tear you apart.” His low voice carried an edge of steel.
“I didn’t hurt her,” Hugh protested.
“You shook her. No man worthy of the name treats any woman with disrespect, much less one he professes to care about.”
“She’s going to be my wife. I’ll treat her any way I want. You have no right to interfere.”