The room goes quiet around us.
The bloke sputters, feet kicking uselessly.
“Hey—hey man?—”
“Oy, we got a problem here?”
Coach Dane appears beside us, his voice calm but dangerous.
I nod once without turning my head.
“Bucko here likes grabbing women when they say no,” I growl.“Thought I’d explain we don’t like that sort of thing around here.”
Dane’s eyes narrow.
“Does he now?”
He cracks his knuckles slowly.
“Well then.Hand him over.I’ll see to it security sets him to rights.”
I release the man.
Dane grabs the back of his shirt like he weighs nothing and drags him toward the door while the bloke starts babbling apologies.
The music slowly creeps back.
Conversation resumes.
But my body’s still buzzing with adrenaline.
I turn.
Chiara is standing exactly where I left her.
Brown eyes wide.
Lips parted.
For a second, I’m not sure if she’s scared.
Or stunned.
Or furious.
Or worse, hurt.
My chest tightens.
“Are you okay, Love?You hurt?”
She doesn’t answer.
Just stares at me.
“Chiara?”I say more softly.
“Love?Talk to me.”
