Stefan believed that night had come from something deeper, but the reality was that it felt like an obligation for him being there for me.
"She's not a replacement for Isa.”
"She belongs with me, Luc," Stefan told him confidently. "Even you know that. You're never going to be good enough for her. If she stays with you, she ends up six feet under."
Those words were enough for Luc to bolt at Stefan, tackling him to the ground.
"Oh my God!" Lydia came into the hallway. "BOYS!"
Stefan and Luc wrestled on the floor, trading blows and ignoring the pleas to stop. For every punch Stefan landed, Luc hit him back twice as hard. It was easy to see who the seasoned fighter was. The sound of each hit made my stomach turn as I tried to pull Luc away. Luc’s hands wrapped around Stef’s throat and squeezed, watching his face turn red as he clawed and kicked in an attempt to free himself.
"Where's Dom?" Lydia asked, panicked.
"He's not here," I told her.
After a few moments, I was pushed out of the way and a pair of arms hauled Luc off the Stefan. He was restrained in Dante's grip, the reinforcement I had called for. Stefan remained on the floor, gasping for breath as Lydia hovered over him.
"What has gotten into the both of you?" Lydia demanded.
"Ask him!" Stefan rasped.
I moved and offered a hand to Stefan to help him off the floor, hoping to avoid round three of this bout.
"Don't touch her!" Luc yelled as Stefan reached out, making me jump. I looked back to see him struggling against Dante, but Stefan took my hand and got to his feet.
"Both of you in separate rooms," Lydia told them. "Now!" She pulled at Stefan to follow her while Dante pushed Luc into the living room. I took a moment before walking past the living room and following Lydia.
“Mia!” Luc called my name and tried to push past Dante.
"Not a smart move," Dante told him.
In the kitchen, Stefan sat at the table as Lydia stood in front of him. "I don't know what has gotten into the both of you, but you can both calm down and talk it out."
That wasn't likely to happen. If Dante hadn't stepped in it could have ended worse than what it had.
He perked up when I walked into the kitchen. "Mia..."
"Don't." My tone was sharp, but Stefan didn't let it stop him.
"I know I lied but I did it for you. Look at what happened to you."
"So, you decided to lie and Luc left for a month and what exactly did you think would happen, Stefan?" I asked him.
"Exactly what should have happened the other night."
"Nothing happened."
"But it would have, Mia," Stef persevered. "You were going to kiss me."
"You kept asking!"
Stef reached out to me, but I stepped back out of reach. "Just don't, Stefan."
"Mia. Honest to God, what do you even see in him?"
Anger bubbled inside of me as I glared at Stef. "Stay away from me from now on."
As I went to leave, Stefan leaned forward and grabbed my hand. I turned back around quickly and slapped him across the face, causing him to hiss out in pain.
