“Fucking bitch,” Mark moved aggressively towards Gwensi, his chest puffed out and arms wide, a cockerel about to fight. “You’ve always been a fucking pain in the arse…”
It was at that point Zack let go of Sorrell and moved forward simultaneously with Scott and Jake. He and Jake each grabbed hold of one of Mark’s arms while Scott said a few choice words, only putting him down when he was a good few feet away from the entrance to the bar.
“You don’t get to talk to women like that,” Scott said. “I don’t give a shit what they say to you, the gentlemanly thing to do is to say nothing and fuck off otherwise you look like a complete fucking twat.”
“Fucking let me go, fucking country fucking imbeciles…” He pulled his arms free and took a swing at Scott, alcohol and idiocy making the hit a soft one, but it was all Scott needed.
Zack didn’t flinch as Scott’s right fist made contact with Mark’s jaw. He’d seen this before, not often, thankfully as Scott had a lot of self-control and most of the town were aware that Scott could sort out his own battles.
Mark, however, did flinch. Jake and Zack stepped away, giving the man a chance to defend himself but instead he rubbed his jaw. “I’ll be fucking reporting that to the police,” he said. “GBH. Get your lawyers ready.”
Scott looked non-plussed. “Then the police will recommend you keep your distance in the meantime. If you need a taxi, there’s a rank two streets away.” He wiped his hands on his jeans, job done.
“Tell Sorrell to come out here so I can speak to her,” Mark demanded. “And I’ll think about not pressing charges.” He looked at Zack, his mouth twisted in a sneer. “You always prey on other people’s women?”
Zack laughed, no other reaction seeming appropriate. “Sorrell isn’t wearing your ring. I believe that was your choice, like the decision to leave her behind with the hotel you so desperately wanted, but not as much as the opportunity to house your dick elsewhere.”
Mark had the good sense to look contrite. “Yeah, well, we can all make mistakes.”
Zack Maynard was not a bastard. He was not a walkover, nor was he a tyrant. If Mark had turned up and seemed like a decent guy who had just got cold feet Zack would’ve understood that. But he didn’t appear that way; instead he was arrogant.
“It wasn’t a mistake, Mark. You did us both a favour,” Sorrell said. “And your timing was impeccable. If you’d left splitting up till after we got married, you’d have been able to cash in at my expense.”
Zack looked at Sorrell. She wasn’t wearing her coat and her arms were wrapped round her to try to keep warm. He wanted to go over there, to offer up his own body heat to keep her warm but he knew it would be taken by both Mark and Sorrell as him trying to piss on his territory.
“I was panicking over the commitment…”
“You were bored and you wanted to dip your dick elsewhere,” she said, as if she was bored with the conversation. “We stopped having sex. You were always away or too tired. Move on from us because I’m not an easy lay for you to come back to when you get dumped by your latest fuck buddy.”
He bit his lips together and Zack wondered if he was going to say something really shitty, like she should be grateful for his attention or some sort of crap like that.
“I was in love with you,” he said, although it was almost a whimper.
Sorrell shrugged. “I don’t doubt that. But you’re not anymore. It was nice while it lasted and I’ve since moved on.”
“With him?” He gestured at Zack.
“With myself. I don’t need a man to hold my hand.” Sorrell smiled. “And if I didn’t know that beforehand, the last few months have proved it. If you need to speak to me about something important then send me an email and we can arrange to meet. I don’t think there’s any reason to though. Have a good life.” She turned around and walked away, ignoring Mark shouting her name after her.
“You heard the lady,” Zack said. “I think she’s made it perfectly clear where you stand in relation to her.”
“And yourself. Clearly she doesn’t need a man. Maybe there was more to her and that bitch in there than just ‘friends’.” There was another sneer to Mark’s lips, one that made Zack’s composure crack.
He moved forward using sheer strength to land a hand on his chest and pushed Mark backwards towards the wall of the bar. It was then he heard the familiar blare of an engine and resolve took over.
“Get the fuck out of this town and don’t come back unless Sorrell asks you to. You have no reason to be here. And if I see you here again, without her request, I will pulverise you into alpaca food.” He let go and took a few steps backwards, seeing the man look genuinely shaken up.
“Everything okay here?” Alex got out of the car with Hansel, one of his police dogs. “Keren sent me a message suggesting my presence was required.”
“Fucking Keren,” Scott muttered, heading back into the bar.
“That’s what he wishes he was doing,” Jake said. “Can’t blame him. And if he doesn’t get his act together, I may attempt it myself.”
“I wouldn’t advise it.” Alex patted the dog. “Scott won’t keep his fists to himself just because you’re related.”
“Scott’s a pussy cat,” Jake said. “Although he’s given that nobhead something to think about.” He nodded at Mark.
Alex raised an eyebrow and shook his head. “I’m not on duty, so not my circus and definitely not my monkeys.” He took a few steps towards Mark. “Have you any reason to stay around? I’m thinking it might be best if you head off on your merry way.”
