“Move.”

Moon didn’t budge. “Is there a problem?”

Slade lunged. He grabbed Moon by his vest and shoved him hard, out of his way, and advanced. Fear grew instantly inside Trisha after realizing Slade seemed beyond pissed. She actually backed up and bumped the cabin wall next to the doorway. Brass sprinted suddenly, going down the porch stairs, and met Slade head-on.

“You allowed Valiant to touch her?” Slade yelled. “He’s unstable and could have killed her.” Slade decked Brass in the face with his fist.

Brass landed on his ass. He growled and tried to climb to his feet but Slade turned, throwing a kick to Brass’ chest. It knocked Brass flat onto his back on the grass. Slade snarled, showing teeth, as Harley inched toward him.

“Stay out of it unless you want me to kick your ass too. This is between us.”

Harley stopped, lifted his hands and backed up. “Okay.”

“Stop it,” Trisha demanded. She tried to rush down the stairs to reach Brass, worried he’d been hurt badly, but Harley grabbed her arm to prevent her from leaving the porch.

“Stay out of it,” Harley ordered softly. His arms locked around Trisha’s waist gently. “You could get hurt. Sometimes our males fight to blow off steam. This is about dominance and we can’t interfere.”

Trisha was stunned. It wasn’t sane and it sure wasn’t something she wanted to stand by and watch. They needed to stop. Someone could get hurt. Harley refused to release her though when she struggled.

Brass rose to his feet. He growled and launched his body at Slade. In horror, Trisha watched the men go at each other. She’d never seen two New Species fight before. It looked to be a combination between a dog fight and a no-holds-barred kickboxing match. It became clear within minutes that Slade was the better fighter. He punched Brass in the face and threw a kick that sent Brass sprawling onto his stomach. Brass groaned but didn’t get up. Slade panted, obviously still enraged.

“You thought you could protect her?” Slade snarled. “You can’t even protect yourself against me.”

Brass lifted his head, looking a little dazed, and blood smeared his mouth. He turned his head to glare at Slade. “Someone had to try to protect her.”

“Well, you can’t.” Slade marched toward the cabin.

Moon had edged around the fighting men until he stood guard at the bottom of the porch steps, blocking Slade’s path to Trisha. Harley suddenly released Trisha and leaped down the porch steps to stand next to Moon. Both men appeared tense.

“Move,” Slade snarled, stopping just feet from the men.

“Why? You are upset and aren’t being reasonable.” Harley kept a calm tone in his voice. “You hurt Brass over being angry with Valiant. We didn’t know he was here or Brass would have gone to talk to him before he picked up the scent of a human. You are one of our best fighters and you knew you could take Brass alone. You could take both of us one-on-one too. We know that. But you’ll have to take on both of us at once if you wish to upset Trisha. Your fight isn’t with her.”

Slade’s dark-blue gaze locked with Trisha’s. He panted hard and seemed so enraged that it scared her. She never thought she’d be afraid of Slade, especially after their time alone in the woods, but she’d been wrong. She was terrified of him.

“I knew you were attracted to Justice more than you admitted to me. I would not have avoided you if I had known you were so hot to have a Species male in your bed. I thought I was protecting you,” Slade growled. “Being with one of us puts you in danger. You went through too much and I didn’t want you to be with me out of gratitude for saving your life. I knew only time would give us a chance.” He shook his head. “I could kill you. I told you that you were mine. Mine!” he snarled. “You can stay here and have your bastard but I better never see you again. You don’t have permission to leave the cabin while Justice hides you and his love child under my nose.”

Slade spun and stormed away. Trisha locked her knees so she wouldn’t collapse on the porch. Slade thought she was pregnant by Justice? Her mouth opened.

“Slade?”

He ignored her completely, as though she hadn’t spoken, as he jumped in his Jeep.

“Slade?” Her voice rose.

He turned his head and sheer rage showed on his features. “You’re dead to me, Doc. Don’t ever say my name again. I regret ever speaking to you and I wish I’d never touched you.”

The Jeep roared to life and he threw it in reverse.

“Slade? You need to listen to me,” Trisha yelled. “It’s not Justice’s baby!”

He stomped on the brake and turned his head back, curling his lip. “Brass? You should have picked someone stronger, Doc. He just got his ass kicked and I didn’t even break a sweat. I bet he says your name though, doesn’t he?”

Trisha managed to take a step and grab the porch railing to keep standing. She was mad now. “It’s not his baby either. It’s yours, you stupid son of a bitch!” She yelled the information at him. “You might have been able to beat up Brass but at least he’s here for me. He never abandoned me when I needed him the most and he doesn’t lie to me by swearing he’ll come back for me but instead runs away as if he’s a big coward, the way you did. And that bastard you referred to is a great way to title your own baby. I hate you.”

She saw his expression change as emotions crossed his features with rapid speed. Anger, shock, and finally he paled before his expression returned back to rage mode again. He shut off the Jeep and climbed out. His features became unreadable when he stomped toward Trisha. Brass managed to get back on his feet and he staggered into Slade’s path.