Dawson's Stand (Welcome to Covendale Book 4) Read Online Free PDF

what he did. Two of them, he could handle. Maybe three in a real pinch. But not four. One way or another, he was in for a beating. So he could stand here and take it—or go down fighting.
    That wasn’t even a question. After all, he was a Dawson.
    “Just talk, huh?” He grinned and faced Dean fully, his fists clenched and ready. If he was going down, he’d make sure the bastard had a few souvenirs of his own. “All right, Deputy Dean. Let’s test that theory.”
    “Stop it!”
    The female voice rang out like a shot, startling the breath from him. Every head turned toward the sound—and Gage’s heart wrenched sharply as Kyla stepped out from between two cars, looking more vulnerable than ever.
     
     

Chapter 4
     
    Kyla’s heart lodged in her throat. She forced her hands not to shake as she pointed the can of Mace she’d carried for the past year at the nearest huge man, the one who’d been circling behind Gage. This was a really stupid idea—if she hadn’t been just a little drunk, she never would’ve had the guts to come out here. But she’d done it, and she couldn’t back down now.
    When she finally came out of the bathroom, she’d heard raised voices through the back door. So she’d looked out the window and seen a fight about to happen. She still would’ve ignored it, except it was four against one.
    She knew a little something about being hopelessly outmatched. And she wasn’t about to let it happen here, even if Gage was just as bad as the bartender said. No one deserved this.
    “Well, shit,” the big man in front of her drawled. “You gonna squirt me with your hairspray?”
    She smiled sweetly. “It’s Mace.”
    He blinked and backed away.
    “Kyla?” Gage stared at her, half-turned away from the man who’d been about to punch him. “What are you doing?”
    “Helping you.” She approached slowly, still holding the can out like a shield. Now her legs wanted to shake, and her stomach was doing that flip-flop thing again. “Are you all right?”
    A half-smile formed on his lips. “I’m fine,” he said. “But you should—”
    “Watch out!”
    She was still too far away to stop the man right in front of Gage, who’d taken advantage of the distraction to drive a fist in his gut. Gage doubled over with a barking cough, and the man punched him in the face, so hard she could hear the impact. Hard enough to slam him against the car next to him. He bounced off and hit the pavement—and somehow bounded back to his feet.
    Furious, Kyla sprinted at the aggressor and blasted him with the Mace. The spray hit him full in the face.
    The man gagged, stumbled back and dropped to his knees. He swiped at his face, letting out horrible cawing sounds as his eyes squeezed shut and the skin around them turned an angry maroon.
    “Kyla!” Suddenly Gage was at her side, one hand out as if to stop her. “Oh, sh—” He cut himself off with effort. “You okay?”
    She nodded slowly, her gaze riveted to the man she’d sprayed. She’d never actually used this stuff on anyone, and never expected to. It just helped her feel safe. From the way he was trying to spit between thin screams, she guessed some of it had gotten in his mouth.
    Well, at least she knew it worked now.
    Two of the others rushed over and helped the man to his feet. As they did, Gage stepped forward and shielded her with an arm. “We’re done here,” he said, his voice low and threatening. “You just get out of here and go clean him up. Understand?”
    Kyla knew he was making sure they didn’t start anything with her. She appreciated it, because there wasn’t much spray left in the canister.
    The injured man snarled and forced his eyes open. They were so bright red, they practically glowed. “So now you’re getting your girlfriends to save you?” he said, his voice gravel-rough. “That’s low, Dawson. Even for you. Did you plan this out, or just get lucky?”
    “I’m not his girlfriend.” Somehow Kyla managed to speak in