“The fuck did you just say, asshole?” Kash steps next to Atlas, creating yet another wall in front of me. “Who the fuck are you talking to?”
“Look, your girl wanted it, man. I dunno what to tell you. She knows better dick when she sees it.” His friend, who has joined his side, starts laughing. The only thing I feel is panic.
“Atlas. No!” Seth shouts from behind, but it’s too late. Atlas grabs hold of the jerk and swings his fist until it connects with his jaw. His head snaps back, but Atlas isn’t done. I watch in horror as he punches him in the stomach and shoves him backward.
Kash has his friend occupied to the side. He lowers his body and shoves his shoulder into the other guy, taking him to the ground, knocking into a few people in the process.
Shit, we’re going to get kicked out.
Seth is holding back Mara and Mila, and people are circling the commotion. Security is also making their way over. It’s chaos.
“Atlas! Stop.” I grab his arm mid-swing. “Stop. You have to stop,” I plead with him. His eyes are so dark, and he looks like he’s lost it. “He’s not worth it.Please.”
“Yeah, listen to your whore,” the guy spits out, his mouth covered in blood.
“Dude! Shut up. I’m trying to help you,” I yell at him.
It doesn’t matter; Atlas slams him back against the wall. I have no idea where Kash went with his friend, but I need to get Atlas off this guy before he does some serious damage.
Atlas’ arm is pressed against his windpipe as he leans in. Coming closer, I overhear pieces of what he’s saying.
“If you ever fucking touch her again, or I find out you even breathe near her, I’ll be back, and you won’t fucking walkeveragain. I’ll use your spine as Halloween decorations at my fucking house.” He punches him in the stomach once more before letting go of him. I watch as he drops to the floor.
“What the hell, Atlas?” I smack his shoulder as Rhett pops up at my side, looking panicked.
“Guys, we’ve gotta go,” he tells Atlas. “Kash has the girls outside with Seth.”
Atlas grabs my hand, and I yank free of his grasp. “I’m not going anywhere with you!”
“Like fuck you aren’t.” He lifts me off my feet and tosses me over his shoulder.
Walking through the dance area, Atlas pushes past people who were crowded around us with me over his shoulder, slapping at him.
“I mean it, Atlas! Where do you get off on acting like this? It was girls’ night, and you ruined it!”
I keep slamming my hands on his back and yelling at him until he stops abruptly in a dark hallway. After setting me on my feet, he spins me toward him. His expression is livid.Good. I’m mad too, dumbass.
“That guy had his hands all over you.”
“We were dancing, Atlas! What is your deal?”
“You’re my deal!” he yells back.
What the hell is he talking about?
“I don’t know what you think is happening here, but you’re wrong.”
“Am I?” he questions, and his jaw tics as he steps into my space, crowding me against the wall. He places his arms on either side of my head, blocking me in. There’s an intense look on his face, and itmakes me freeze. I know he wouldn’t hurt me, but I’m suddenly a little afraid. I hate feeling this way.
“Let me make something clear, Cora; youaremy business. Everything about you ismybusiness. I’ll be damned if I let some asshole paw you and then call you names. No fucking way.”
Staring up into his dark eyes, I see he’s dead serious. I don’t understand him. One minute, he’s cold and angry, the next, he’s beating up some guy over me.
“Atlas…” I sigh, shaking my head. “You can’t do this to me.”
“What am I doing to you?” His fingers caress my cheek. “Tell me what I do to you. If you tell me what I do to you, I’ll tell you what you do to me.”
“What do I do to you?” I ask without thinking.
