“I’ll take you there,” August says.
“No, stay, finish your conversation. I’ll be right back.” I step out of his grasp.
Colton and Andre flank my sides as we approach the bar. I can’t help but look back over my shoulder every few seconds to see if August is still where I left him. Every time I look back, he’s looking right at me. Watching me.
“He’s not going anywhere,” Colton says.
“I know.” I don’t, but I want to believe it.
“So, Hayley, what are your intentions with my boy?” Colton asks, leaning one arm on the bar so he can get a better look at me.
“My intentions?” I repeat, my eyes continuing to flick back and forth.
“Yeah, I’ve never seen him so twisted up over a woman. This is the real deal for him, so if it’s not that for you, then you should get out now. Actually, I think it’s already too late. There is no getting out. You’ll just have to find a way to fall in love with him.” Colton shrugs.
“He is not in love with me.” I laugh. That would be crazy.
“Isn’t he?” Colton raises a single eyebrow and turns his gaze back to August. My gaze is already there.
“I mean, he can’t be. He doesn’t even know me,” I say.
“I don’t think love has anything to do with that. It’s deeper, like a soul thing or something.” Colton shrugs again before calling the barman over to place our order.
Is he right? Can you be in love with someone after just a few days with them?
“I think my intentions are to keep him.” My eyes remain locked on August. He smiles back at me.
“You should probably know the guy can read lips.” Colton laughs.
“I don’t care. I don’t have any secrets.” I take the offered glass of champagne from Colton, turning my glare his way. “Who is trying to kill him?”
“We don’t know,” Colton tells me. “Yet. We’ll find them, though. We always do.”
“So, this is a regular occurrence?” I ask.
“Not regular, but when you’re at the top of the food chain, bottom feeders like to come out every now and then to try to make the climb.”
“You really do need a haircut,” I tell him. Changing the subject as I start to make my way back towards August, because it’s been long enough. I walked away, and I didn’t panic. Sure, I could see him the entire time, but I’m still counting it as a win.
When I reach August, he’s quick to wrap an arm around my waist and pull me up against his side. “I don’t like when you walk away from me,” he whispers into my ear, and I shiver.
“I didn’t walk away. I went to get a drink,” I reply, sipping at the sweet champagne.
“Same thing,” he grunts. “I like it better when you’re within touching distance.”
I want to tell him that he really shouldn’t say things like that to me, because I will take it to mean more than it does. I will literally always be within touching distance, and that’s not healthy for either of us.
My clutch starts vibrating, so I pull it out, frowning when I see the name of the local police station on my screen. Dread fills me. Last time the cops called me, it was to tell me that my parents were dead.
Oh my god, Riley!
“Shit,” I curse under my breath.
“What’s wrong?” August takes my phone, the one still ringing. He looks at the screen and answers it. “August Wade,” he snaps into the receiver.
I don’t hear what the other person says. All I can think about is my little brother. Where is he? Last time I tracked his location, which was only thirty minutes ago, he was at Jade’s…
“This is her boyfriend. Whatever you need to tell her, you can tell me,” August says.
