Despite what Victoria said, I have changed. I’m not the same hothead I was four years ago. I’ve come a long way since then and have no plans to go backward. But Franklin is nowhere to be seen, and his two friends are standing in front of the entrance to the ladies’ room, like they’re guarding it.
Oh, hell no.
I walk up to them and pause.
“Little situation in there,” one guy says. “Our buddy’s taking care of his girl.”
“His girl?” I arch my brows. “You mean my girl?”
Holy shit, what did I just say?
“Your girl?” One of the guys looks momentarily unsure of himself.
“You have about as long as it takes me to finish this sentence before I knock the shit out of both of you.”
My words seem to register a second too late, because I elbow one guy, shove the other, and push my way into the restroom.
And the scene in front of me makes my blood run cold all over again.
Victoria against the wall, mouth covered by one of Franklin’s hands as he attempts to lift her dress and unzip his pants at the same time with the other. She’s squirming and fighting, but her slight body is no match for him.
There’s no time to think because I grab the guy by the collar, yanking him back so hard his shirt rips and he crashes into the opposite wall.
“What the—” He lunges for me, but I put myself between him and Victoria, planting my feet and shoving him back.
“We can do this all day,” I say gruffly. “You think you’re tough, roughing up a woman half your size? Come at me, bro.”
He growls, but it’s obvious he’s rethinking his plan.
We both know this won’t end well for him, and I have no doubt Milo is keeping the other two from coming in to help.
“She’s been teasing me all night,” he hisses.
“Liar!” Victoria seems to have gotten her wits about her now. “We danced once and I told you I wasn’t interested.”
“Stupid cunt—then why’d you dance with me?”
I take a step closer to the guy. “Get out while you can still walk.”
He huffs, gives Victoria a hateful look, and then stalks out of the bathroom.
“Oh my God. Jordan. He almost… I mean, he was going to…” Victoria turns to me, eyes wide, and then she bursts into tears.
Mother. Fucker.
I can’t stand to see a woman cry.
Especially not this one.
“You’re okay,” I say quietly.
Then, as the devil on my shoulder bursts out laughing, I pull her into my arms.
Chapter 2
Victoria
Almost getting raped and then being both rescued and comforted by Jordan freakin’ Palmer was not on this year’s bingo card.
