Page 6 of The Fragile Truth
Ian glanced back over to the table where Sadie and her date were sitting. It’s too bad that jerk came up when he did. Otherwise, Ian might’ve gotten to know Sadie better. He chuckled, thinking how she’d put him in his place. Maybe he should go over and get her number. Nah, that would be tacky with her on a date. He’d have to file Sadie Thomas in the cabinet of the ones who got away.
Regret tugged at him, followed by a deep weariness. Meeting with Lina had been emotionally taxing. He was no closer to getting answers to Brent’s death than he had been before the visit to Lina. Ian still had an hour and a half drive ahead of him. Time to head home. He pulled a twenty-dollar bill from his wallet and tossed it down on the bar. He was just getting to his feet when he heard the commotion.
“Take your hand off me!” a woman demanded.
He turned to where Sadie and Brad were sitting. Shock blitzed through him when he realized that Sadie was the one speaking.
Brad had his hand locked on her wrist. “Come on, baby, don’t be like that,” he urged.
“Let go of my wrist,” Sadie seethed. “You’re hurting me.”
Brad leaned forward, his voice going hard. “You know you like it.” He made a point of looking at her chest. “Anyone dressed like that can’t blame a guy for looking.”
Sadie’s dress was form-fitting but tasteful. The humiliation on her beautiful face was what did Ian in. Blood thrashed against his temples with the force of a tidal wave as he strode over to the table. “Is there a problem here?”
Brad cursed. “No problem that you need to be concerned about.”
Ian thought of his gun tucked beneath his shirt. It wouldn’t be good to pull it here in this situation. Getting in a bar fight wouldn’t do Ian any good either. But he refused to stand by and watch this goon harass Sadie. His muscles tightened, ready to pounce as he clenched his jaw. “Unhand her now!”
Defiance flashed over Brad’s face. “Or what?”
It wouldn’t take much to wipe the floor with this arrogant suit. Brad was softer and mealier than an overripe banana. He’d probably faint from a paper cut. “Step outside,” Ian thundered. Time to teach this hotshot a lesson that he wouldn’t soon forget.
Brad’s derisive laughter spurred Ian into action. He stepped forward and grabbed Brad by the shirt, forcing him to release Sadie’s wrist as he pulled him to his feet.
“Let’s go!” Ian would drag the flake out by the hair of his head, if necessary.
Brad held up his hands as his lower lip jiggled. “I don’t want any trouble.”
“Too late for that,” Ian growled. All the anger and frustration that had been simmering in him for longer than he cared to calculate had reached a boiling point. He needed a way to release his rage, and this moron would do just fine.
“P-please,” Brad trembled as he glanced at Sadie. “I—I didn’t bargain for this.”
A hard laugh scratched Ian’s throat. “Should’ve thought about that before you picked on Sadie.”
Sadie sprang to her feet and placed a hand on Ian’s arm. “Wait! Let him go. The scumbag’s not worth it.” She cast Brad a withering look before turning her full attention to Ian. “Please,” she urged.
For a moment, Ian was suspended between his need to pummel this putz and his desire to comply with Sadie’s request. His focus expanded to the people around them. All eyes were watching intently. One guy was videoing on his phone. Reason took over. Ian’s job as sheriff was an elected position. Next year, he was up for re-election. It wouldn’t do to alienate the voters. The ordeal with Lina had caused him enough trouble already. Just last week, Mayor Douglas pulled him aside, expressing concern over what he called Ian’s “tunnel vision,” where Lina was concerned. It didn’t help Ian’s reputation when he pitted himself against the Chasings by refusing to let go of the idea that Talon Chasing had murdered Lina. The only prayer that Ian had of getting re-elected next year was if he watched his p’s and q’s and restored his public image. A bar fight could wreck everything.
Ian released Brad, shoving him back. “Apologize!” he ordered.
Brad was trembling all over. “Sorry,” he squeaked as he scuttled away.
“Show’s over, folks,” Ian said loudly, throwing the onlookers a menacing glare. People quickly averted their eyes and went about their business as if nothing had happened.
“Thank you.” Sadie offered a weak smile before shaking her head and muttering, “I should’ve known better than to let my friend fix me up on a blind date.” She took in a deep breath as her hand went to her hair. She smoothed it down.
Even in the dim lighting, Ian could see ugly red marks on her wrist. Fury simmered through his veins. It’s a good thing that Brad took off, or Ian would be tempted to go after him and pound some decency and respect into the yellow-belly coward. Yes, he’d do it even while facing the threat of negative public opinion.
Sadie smoothed a hand over the bodice of her dress as she forced a smile. “Well, I guess my date is officially over.”
Ian smiled thinly at the ironic note in her voice. She looked both vulnerable and beautiful with her blonde tresses spilling over her shoulders. The beauty he could withstand, but the vulnerability awoke the warrior inside of him, making him want to protect her at all costs.
“Thanks again.” She reached for her purse, opened it, pulled out a twenty-dollar bill, and placed it on the table. Ian had paid the same amount, but he’d lost count of the number of club sodas that he downed. He figured he had to leave something significant so he wouldn’t waste the bartender’s time.
“That was an expensive water.”
She motioned to Brad’s drink. “He got a beer.” A wry smile curved her lips. “Somehow, I don’t think he’ll be coming back to cover his tab.”