Fuck.
I try to school my features but clearly fail. Mason watches me for a moment with a questioning stare, then frowns, turning to look behind him.
“Who’s that?” he asks. I can see his jaw clenching.
“Joey. He’s a friend.”
“Do all your friends wait outside your building late at night?” He raises his brow as he pulls open the handle.
Shit!
“Looks like we are getting out of the car. Okay,” I mutter, cringing as I pull open my door and round the car.
Joey spots me and starts walking toward us. “Nina.” He looks to me and then to Mason with pure disdain. “Who’s this?”
“Mason,” he answers for himself. It comes out a deep growl, and I quickly step in front of him.
“Right.” Joey looks over my shoulder, his eyes narrowing into a glare as he puts his weight on one foot then the other. “Nina, can I speak to you a minute, please?”
“Now isn’t a good time, Joey, maybe tomorrow? You have my number, right? You can call me.” I will do anything to get rid of him right now.
I feel Mason’s hand take hold of my hip, bringing my body back flush against his.
My heart seems to skip a beat at the contact.
“Really, Nina? Do you even know this guy?” he spits.
“Joey, that’sreallynone of your business!” I can tell he’s drunk; he has never spoken to me like this. He is probably still hurt from the bar fiasco earlier.
“What happened to the blond? Or have you already fucked him, bored already?” he asks, tipping his chin.
Mason’s grip on my hip tightens. “Watch your mouth,” he warns, and the air crackles at the tone of his voice.
“Fuck you! You’re better off giving up on this one.” He looks me up and down, and my heart blisters a little. “She’s a prick tease.”
“I said watch your fucking mouth.”
“This has nothing to do with you!” Joey shouts.
Mason grips my arm, pushing me to the side just as Joey comes at us. He swings, catching Mason clean in the mouth. His head goes back, and I’m left standing in utter shock.
Mason recovers quickly, spinning and gripping Joey by the throat, then pins him to the car. Joey’s eyes go wide as the air is squeezed from his body.
“Apologise!” Mason roars.
Joey gasps for air. I’m unsure he could speak even if he wanted to. His eyes dart to me, pleading for me to help.
Slowly, I approach Mason and gently curl my hand around his elbow. “Mason, he can’t breathe.” I can feel his rage radiating off him.
His eyes meet mine, softening some before he loosens his grip around Joey’s throat.
“I’m sorry,” Joey splutters at me.
Mason releases him. “Good boy. Not so hard is it? Have some respect.”
Joey falls to the car, trying to breathe air back into his lungs, but just as he finds his feet, Mason rears his fist back and punches him in the face. Blood pours from Joey’s nose.
“Nina, get in the car,” Mason tells me without taking his eyes from Joey.
