“What? No, Cain.” I hastily laid a hand on the man’s arm, his skin unnaturally hot.And why is he wearing gloves with short sleeves?It didn’t matter why, I needed to make sure he didn’t commit murder. Yeah, my ex was a royal douche, but I didn’t want him killed. “Please don’t.”
That icy gaze met mine, and his dark, straight eyebrows furrowed. “But he showed you no such mercy.”
“Please. He’s...” I flicked my gaze to Brian’s, and his eyes pleaded. “He’s unwell.”
My rescuer searched my face then moved his stare to where my fingers still gripped his forearm. He clenched his jaw then released Brian, half-throwing, half-dropping him to the ground.
Brian teetered on his feet for a few seconds, rubbing the skin of his throat, then advanced with surprise and fury written across his face. “What thefuck?” His glazed eyes seemed clearer. “You shouldn’t interfere with me and my girl.” Red splotches covered his neck, rising to his cheeks and nose.
“Go home, Brian.”Jeez, did he not realize this guy might really hurt him?
Cain didn’t even bother looking Brian in the eye. Instead, he switched his focus to me. “She’s already said she’s not your girl.” His dark, smooth voice reverberated through my bones.
“What?”Brian’s furious stare swung from the guy at my side, to me, then back to the man in the hood. “Who the hell do you think you are, fuckwad?”
“I’m the man who’s about to lose patience if you lay another finger on her.” The words were calm, even, and deadly.
Brian stiffened then puffed his chest.
Cain stepped forward, but I threw out a hand to clutch his sleeve, and he immediately stopped.
Goose pimples puckered the skin of my arm.I need to smooth this over before something bad happens.“He was leaving. Weren’t you, Brian?”
“Now I understand.” Furrowing his brow, Brian squinted, madness swirling in his eyes. “This is your new fuck boy.” He pushed against Cain’s unbudging chest. “I’m not scared of you.”
“Brian.”Oh, alcohol and its liquid courage.“Get out of here, you idiot.”
Although Brian and I hadn’t been together for several months, we’d still known each other for years, and his accusation, as if I slept around, hurt. Before he’d started drinking, he would’ve died before saying something like that to me.
I truly made the right decision breaking up with him. The boy I once loved is gone.
Tense and erect, Cain’s shadowed face continued to stare in my direction as he cracked his gloved knuckles.
Thank you.
“Go home, Brian. Please.” I rubbed my upper arms, feeling a sudden chill. “If you don’t leave, I’ll call the cops.”
“Wait.” He took one step toward me and held out his hands. “I’m sorry.” The anger on his face slid into remorse. “Truly. I don’t know what came over me. Let me make it up by taking you to the dance. I know how much you’d enjoy it. Let’s start over.”
“No. How many—”
“I miss you.” Another step closer. His focus remained on me, and he kept his tone low and quiet, reminding me of the sweet, thoughtful, caring Brian I’d grown up with. The one I’d loved.
I hesitated.Everyone deserves forgiveness and compassion, don’t they?“Um...”
His eyes cleared, and a tiny grin formed. “We’ll do whatever you want. If you ask me to dance all night, we’ll dance. If you want to—”
“Too late, Brian.She’s going with me.” Cain slid his palm to mine and laced his fingers through the gaps. His gloved hand gave me strength and courage.
My mouth hung open, and I could only stare, my gaze tracing the intricate silver tattoo peeking through the shadows. I moved a finger to my collarbone to feel the comfort of the pendant before I remembered this savior-slash-thief had stolen it previously.
“You can’t be serious,” Brian said, a hint of steel and anger in his voice. He raised a hand to his hair and ran his fingers through the locks, his attention bobbing between me and Cain.
“I don’t joke.” Cain squeezed my hand gently but took a menacing half-step toward Brian, keeping his face shadowed. “Let me be clear. If you bother her again, I will know. If you hurt her again, I will repay it ten-fold. If you so much as sneeze in her direction, I’ll—”
“Yeah, yeah. You’ll appear out of the sky and strike me down. But I’ll be ready next time, and then you’ll wish—”
“Phoebe.” Cain abruptly turned toward me, ignoring Brian. “Do you need to get home?”
