“I’m pretty sure the Kinlans ruined themselves when they decided to become underground crime lords.”
“He doesn’t belong like you do… likewedo. I know you’ve fallen from grace, but if you insist on it being over between us, I’m sure I could find you a more suitable catch. Maybe not a club member, but at least a white guy.”
Julia straightened and raised her voice. “I don’t care what shade his skin is, Havoc is ten times the man you are. Better looking, more intelligent… I bet you haven’t even figured out that those sluts played you.”
“What?” he asked.
“Forget it. I don’t have the necessary time, desire, nor crayons to explain it to you. I should have killed you when I had the chance.”
A predatory smile stretched across his face as he lowered his voice. I had to strain my ears to hear him. “There you are, my beautiful, terrifying bride. I missed you. You think you have it all figured out, don’t you? Bet you never even considered the idea thatIwas the one who orchestrated your fall. But, my lovely, vicious bitch, who do you think told those whores what you were up to in the first place? Once they knew what you were doing, they were all too eager to spread their legs for me. Julia, I fucked every one of your friends, and you had no idea what was going on.” He clicked his tongue. “Disappointing. Thought you were smarter than that. But, we all make mistakes and I’m in a forgiving mood, so I’ll give you another shot. Come home. We’ll get remarried and we can move on from your failure and start over.”
“You pompous bitchboy. You want to start over? I wish I’d never fucking met you.” Her voice started as a low growl, but grew louder as she added, “I will ruin you. I made you, and I will take your ass down. I will make sure that everyone knows what a spineless, pencil-dicked, festering anal scab you are.” She scanned her surroundings, likely searching for a weapon.
Shit! Time to move in.
She grabbed her glass. Liquid sloshed as she wound up as if to bash his head in with it. “Fuck that. I’m done with this game. I’ll just kill you myself!”
I moved to intercept her, positioning myself between them and settling my hands on her shoulders. “Julia, look at me.”
Her glass was still poised and ready to strike as she tried to get around me. “Let me go, Havoc,” she growled. “That crusty twat fucker needs to die.”
“You’re turning me on, my bride,” Wesley said, poking his head around me. “You know I love it when you lose your temper.”
“I am not your fucking bride.”
Needing her attention, I squeezed her shoulders. “Focus on my voice, babe. Look at me. Don’t let him do this to you. You’re no longer this person. Don’t let him take you there.”
Her gaze met mine. She blinked, and a look of total and complete devastation crossed her face as her chest rose and fell. She looked from me to the crowd that was gathering around us, and then back to me. “Dammit. Havoc, I—”
“I know. You’re fine. I got you now.” I plucked the glass from her hand and set it on the bar. “Let’s get you away from him. Dance with me.”
“I…” She looked so lost. So unsure of herself. “I got you a beer.”
“It’s fine. I’m not thirsty anymore. Come on.” I took her hand. Leaving our drinks on the bar, I led her through the gathering crowd, scowling at anyone who didn’t get the fuck out of my way, toward the door.
“What’s he going to do?” Wesley asked, following us. “He can’t protect you. Not from me, and certainly not from you.”
The motherfucker had moved from taunting her to taunting me, and no way would I stand there and let him question my ability to protect anyone. Julia might not want to cause a scene at her sister’s wedding, but I had no such qualms. Ready to swing, I spun around, but Julia intercepted me.
Her eyes were watering. “Please don’t,” she whispered, staring up at me.
Fuck.
“You going to hit me?” Wesley asked, too stupid to know when to stop. “You going to beat the shit out of me like you did Noah? Well, asshole, you can’t jump me from behind like you did him. I’m ready for you.”
One hit. That’s all it would take. One hit and I could shut him up for good.
Julia’s eyes pleaded with me every bit as much as her mouth as she said, “He’s not worth it. Please get me out of here.”
As much as I hated to do it, I walked away from that fight.
Julia needed me more than I needed to shut that motherfucker up. By the time we made it to the dance floor, her entire body was trembling. I held her close and she pressed her face against my chest. Wrapping my arms around her, I found the slow beat of the song and began swaying us along to the music. We stayed like that for a few beats while she calmed down.
Finally, she whispered, “I failed. I let him bait me.”
“He’s an asshole who knows how to pull your strings. You lost one battle, but not the war. You’ve got this. We’ll get you through the wedding and you’ll never have to come back here. You’re doing great. Just a little while longer.”
“Do you think he was telling the truth? That he—”
