In this case, that would be Vincent.
While I didn’t like Vincent and wouldn’t mind seeing him get his ass beat, I didn’t even want to think of the consequences Brutus would face if he seriously injured the man.
“You couldn’t possibly,” Brutus continued, not answering me. “Because putting your hands on my woman like that is the shit death wishes are made of.”
I inhaled sharply when Brutus thrust Vincent’s head against the fire alarm once more. The glass shattered.
“Shit,” I cursed. If he did that again, he’d set the alarm off and clear out this place. I couldn’t let that happen. He’d be in real trouble. “Brutus, please.” I took the chance to reach out for his arm. “He didn’t hurt me.”
Yes, he’d tried. But I wasn’t harmed.
Finally, Brutus looked at me out of the corner of his eyes.
“Um, maybe, let him go.” A foul odor caught my nose, and I sniffed at the air. My eyes widened. “Is that …” I trailed off as I stared down at Vincent’s crotch.
I slapped my hand across my face and squeezed my eyes shut. “Please let him go. I’m sure he’s embarrassed enough.”
I gestured at Vincent’s soiled pants.
A muscle in Brutus’ jaw ticked, but he loosened his grip on Vincent’s neck and stepped back. He released him, and Vincent doubled over, coughing and holding his now red neck. I did not pity him. He needed to learn to keep his hands to himself.
“You have two seconds to get the fuck out of my sight,” Brutus warned, sounding exactly like the bear I thought of a moment ago.
“Brutus, we—” Joseph said as he came up the stairs. He paused, assessing the situation before him.
“Security,” Vincent called out, sounding strained. He hadn’t learned how to keep his mouth closed. “Help!” he pleaded while stumbling in Joseph’s direction. “This man just attacked me. I want him arrested,” he demanded in between coughs.
Joseph looked over Vincent’s shoulder to Brutus, who didn’t bother saying anything. Brutus motioned with his head for Joseph to take Vincent out.
“Let’s go,” Joseph said, pulling Vincent toward the stairs.
“Did you hear me?” Vincent continued. “He tried to kill me.”
“If I tried to kill you, you’d be dead, motherfucker,” Brutus replied, his voice as matter of fact as possible.
“See?” Vincent gestured toward Brutus, but I didn’t miss how he moved behind Joseph. “That should count as a threat. You’re security. It’s your job to arrest him.”
Joseph snorted. “I didn’t see or hear shit.” He turned toward Vincent. “And he’s my boss, so you’re shit out of luck.” He paused and sniffed. “Did you?”
A sheepish look passed over Vincent’s face for once.
“You pissed yourself?” Joseph sounded outraged. “You definitely can’t stay here.”
He took Vincent by the arm but held him as far from him as possible as he dragged Vincent down the stairs.
“You could get in trouble for that,” I said, rounding on Brutus.
He shrugged like it was no big deal.
“What if you hurt him? He is the type who would sue you.”
“Let him.” In one move, he swept me into his embrace, tipping my chin to look up at him. He searched my face as if examining me for injuries. “Where’d you learn that move?”
I blinked. “What move?” Then I remembered. “Oh, that arm lock?” I grinned in pride.
He nodded.
“I’ve taken more self-defense classes than I can count. Once I got into sales and started to have to travel for work, my dad insisted that I start taking classes with one of his former partners.”
