“You have exactly one second to take your hand off her.” The familiar sound of Dominic’s voice filled me with relief and an immediate sense of security. “Oh dear, time up.”
Turning, Brandon was on his knees, pleading to be released from the strange grip Dominic had on him, his fingers and hands entwined with the other man, twisting his joints causing obvious pain judging by his cries.
Dominic dropped to his haunches, now eye to eye with Brandon. “I warned you that first day, didn’t I?”
Brandon nodded while I was none the wiser.
“But you didn’t listen, or thought I was joking. I wasn’t, but because I am a nice guy, you get one last chance. So, you walk away now, and never so much as look at her, or mention her name, or I will come good on my promise. Do we have a deal?”
A tiny, squeaked yes was his response before he ran into the night.
Tough, scary Dominic was immediately replaced with the gentle, caring man I knew. “Let’s get you inside.”
CHAPTER
EIGHT
Dominic
Anger rolled off me. The mere sight of that arsehole with his hands on her saw a red mist descend.
The guys on security had contacted me to say that the girls had come down and after several rounds of hugs and kisses, they had all been packed off in cars. The news that there was a boy outside was less welcome. I assumed it was Brandon and there was no reason for Clover not to go outside and meet with him, although I would rather she hadn’t, but that was an unreasonable demand for me to make.
I’d been on my way home and decided to ensure that she was safely back in the building, so, after parking my car, I moved around the building and that is when I had seen them. At first glance they appeared to be in an embrace and as much as that had enraged me, jealousy kicking in, it had paled when I realised this was very much one-sided.
She had reminded him that she had said no. Something he clearly ignored, having then thrown insults at her with accusations of having led him on, begged for it. Arsehole. Thenhe had called her frigid. He may not realise it, but he should be eternally grateful for her presence, because had she not been there, I would have done far more than threatened his fingers and his wrist. I hadn’t been joking when I had threatened him the first time or tonight and if he chose to test me, I would happily follow through.
Now, as furious as I was with him, I was sad for her. Sitting her on a stool at the island, I set about making some hot chocolate for us both. I would rather have had scotch or even an ice cold beer, but for her, I would settle for hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows.
Pushing a cup towards her, I pulled her stool out slightly and took the one next to her, our knees brushing against the other’s if we moved even slightly.
She looked sad and I thought the series of sniffs I heard were indications of that.
“You okay?”
She nodded.
“Did he hurt you?”
She shook her head now and as much as I wanted to know every detail of what had happened, I resisted the temptation to ask.
“He told me I was frigid.”
I should have broken a finger if it was bothering her this much. “He’s young, stupid, and clearly thinks he’s irresistible. He’s not, and he needs to learn how to take rejection because there will be a lot more coming his way, trust me.”
She offered a small smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“You were going to hurt him, for me, weren’t you?”
I couldn’t deny it and wouldn’t. “Yes, although I am unsure who it would have been for; because of what he did to you, but it may have been for me more than you.”
“Why?”
“Because you are mine to protect.”
“I mean why would it have been more for you?”
She knew the answer, we both did.
