“Fuck you and fuck your stupid threats. We have nothing else to talk about, so please leave.”
It’s when Amelia grabs Douglass, and Douglass tells her to let go that I react. Wrapping an arm around Douglass’s waist, I pull her off the stool and away from Amelia.
“Get your fucking hands off her.”
I don’t give a shit that I’m causing a scene or attracting attention. Douglass told her to let go, and she didn’t.
Harper crowds in next to us. “What’s going on? Is thatblood?”
Blood? Douglass tries to cover her right forearm where Amelia had grabbed her, but I see it. What the fuck?
Like she didn’t just assault her sister in my best friend’s place of business, Amelia smiles at me.
“Jordan.” The breathy way she says my name makes my skin crawl.
But that’s all I let her say. “Shut the fuck up.”
I refuse to engage or listen to another word out of her mouth. I want her gone and far away from the both of us.
“Hey, you okay?” I ask Douglass.
She’s rigid in my arms and hasn’t spoken a word. Her breathing is shallow, but otherwise, she’s still as a statue.
Harper tries to take Douglass from me but I’m not having it.
“Mickey keeps a first aid kit in the office. I’ll take Douglass on back,” I tell her.
“Jordan, please,” Amelia tries again, getting off the stool and reaching for me.
“Not happening. Ever.”
Harper steps in front of Douglass and me, one-arming Amelia to stop her.
My sister would wipe the floor with her, and the devil on my shoulder hopes that happens. I know Harper would enjoy it. She may be sweet and fun-loving, but hurt anyone she loves, and she will take you down.
Mike appears behind the bar holding two carry-out bags. He quickly reads the room, sees me holding a bleeding Douglass and sees Amelia. Without me having to ask, he waves his hand in the air to get the attention of one of the bouncers standing at the end of the bar. I trust him to have my ex escorted out with a warning that she isn’t welcome here and not to come back.
“Jordan! I want to talk to you,” Amelia calls as I escort Douglass through the crowd toward the hallway that leads to the back rooms.
As soon as we get to the end of the hall where the office and storage closet are located, it’s like a switch flips and Douglass comes to life, struggling to be let go.
“No. Stop. Jordan, stop!”
Her heels dig in and she pushes back against me with all her might. I don’t want to hurt her, so I ease the tension in my arms and let go.
I’m confused as to why she’s freaking out, but it’s when Douglass keeps glancing at the storage closet that I get it. It’s where Mike said she and I had sex.
“I just want to clean those cuts. Mickey has a kit in his office.”
The stack of bracelets she wears clinks like bells as she wipes the blood off on her pants, leaving a smear of crimson across her pale skin.
“I’ve had worse.”
The band transitions into an Eagles rock song as understanding sinks in.
“Has Amelia done this before? Hurt you?” I ask, horrified.
Douglass doesn’t give me a yes or a no, but the embarrassed flush of her cheeks as she looks down at her feet is answer enough.
