As Yellow Hair dragged me toward the door.
"Let her go."
The voice wasn't loud, but it stopped him cold.
I looked up. Silas stood there. The dim bar lights outlined his tall frame; his silver temples gleamed cold, like a reaper from the shadows.
But I wasn't scared. Seeing him, my panic eased.
Yellow Hair didn't know him. "Who the fuck are you? Mind your own—"
He didn't finish. Silas moved—a blur—and I heard a sickening crack of bone. Yellow Hair howled, his wrist bent wrong where he'd held me.
"My hand! My hand! Aaaah!" He rolled on the floor, clutching it.
People screamed, scattering, finally noticing.
The other two rushed Silas. Buzz Cut swung a bottle at his head. Silas dodged, elbowing his temple—the guy went down, out cold.
Earring pulled a switchblade; Silas grabbed his wrist, kneeing his gut. He doubled over like a shrimp.
In minutes, all three lay wrecked on the floor, Silas's clothes still pristine. He loomed over them.
"Bro... mercy!" Yellow Hair knelt at his feet. "We fucked up! Please, we won't do it again!"
"Yeah, our bad!" Earring clutched his stomach, pale. "We'll leave now!"
They apologized to me and Sarah repeatedly. Sarah stepped up and slapped the unconscious Buzz Cut's face swollen before stopping.
Silas's eyes met mine, like he was asking if I wanted to let them go.
"Don't pull this shit again," I said, head pounding like it might split, voice icy. "If we catch you messing with women, you won't get off this easy."
Silas lifted his chin, voice cold. "Get lost."
The two dragged Buzz Cut out, scrambling.
The crowd whispered now, eyeing Silas with awe and fear. He ignored them, waving a hand—two black-clad bodyguards appeared from nowhere.
"Get this lady home safe," he told them, nodding at Sarah.
Sarah left with the guards, shooting me a look like, "You didn't tell me he could fight like that."
Then it was just me and Silas. He stepped close; I tilted my head to meet his gaze. Lights danced on his silver hair; his sharp features deepened in the dimness.
"So, you came." I heard myself say.
Booze fogged my brain; he just made me feel safe. He was here, so everything was okay.
"Of course." His voice rumbled low.
He wrapped an arm around my waist; my body went limp, leaning into him to stand. He smelled of crisp cedar, just like Iremembered. My face pressed to his chest, hearing his steady heartbeat.
"Let's get you home," he said.
I nodded vaguely, letting him half-carry me out. The cold night air hit; I shivered, burrowing closer.
A black Maybach waited curbside. A guard opened the back door at our approach. Silas bundled me in, sliding in after.
