Mina raised her hand in an act of bravery, the appendage only shaking slightly. “Wait a moment, miss. I was there the day you delivered the pizza too. I remember you said your birthday was coming up. Do I owe you a belated happy birthday?”
Surprise flittered over her features. “Not yet. Only two months away now.” And she smiled. It was breathtaking.
Theron didn’t even blink, his eyes pasted to her face.
She strolled away, her ponytail swinging.
No one said a word yet. ‘Cause Theron had raised an instant hand to stop a barrage of questions that would have been thrown at him, his eyes narrowing on a man who walked up to our waitress. He said a few words to her…then smacked her ass as he walked away.
Oh. Shit. Bad timing, mister. Bad timing.
Her back stiffened, and she sucked in a large lungful of air. Then she instantly brushed the back of her pants off as if she could remove his degrading act.
When she was done, she shook out her shoulders and went to the drink dispensary, staring down at her mini-pad to start filling our drinks.
Theron’s raised hand clenched into a fist and gradually lowered to the table as he tracked the man with his eyes. As soon as he disappeared into the back room, Theron slid from the booth. With gentle fingers, he unbuttoned his suit jacket and tossed it on Cassander’s lap for safe keeping. He was already rolling up his shirtsleeves while strolling casually through the tables—headed to the back room.
He disappeared from sight, the door shutting behind him. No click made.
The occupants at our table instantly looked at each other with wide eyes.
“What… What the hell just happened?” Alaric muttered, his eyes large on his face. “I’ve never seen him act like that before.”
I snorted. “He wants to fuck her.”
Wolfe immediately shook his head. “That was something else. He’s acting like he’s protecting a mate right now. But he’s already been mated. This doesn’t make sense.”
“Mated?” I questioned, my face scrunched. “What the hell is a mate?”
Rune interjected quickly, “I think the more immediate worry is if she’s legal. If she is, it’s just barely.”
“She’s seventeen,” Mina clarified. “She’ll be eighteen soon. He’s waiting to make his move.”
Poppy pointed at where he had been sitting. “That wasn’t making a move?”
All the men at the table promptly shook their heads.
“That was restraint. He was only making himself noticed,” Finn helpfully supplied.
Cassander turned his attention to where Theron had disappeared. “Think he’ll leave any evidence behind that we’ll have to clean up?”
My shoulders stiffened. I thought he went back there to beat the guy up, not off him.
Rune’s brows rose on his fine features, his words dry. “Not a chance. It’ll be clean. There won’t be anything left of that asshole.”
I blinked and stared at the table. Guess I was wrong.
Poppy bumped her shoulder against mine, catching my attention. She mentioned, “You get used to it. Everything this group does is extreme.”
I eyed her.Reallyeyed her. “Are you used to it?”
“I am now. It took a while.” She nibbled on her bottom lip. “It isn’t easy. Even if you think you’re strong.”
Mina murmured with utter honesty, “Poppy, I’m happy you came out today. I’ve missed you.”
Poppy relaxed at her tone and tapped her fingers on the table. Her lips twitched. “You just want to start your training up again.”
“That too.” Mina brushed her perfect blonde hair behind her ear. “But I have missed you. Even if you don’t believe me.” She shook her head. “There’s no one else I can talk to.”
