Chapter Eight
Out of the corner ofher eye, she caught a familiar head that stood above the others.When she turned, her eyes were caught by Cole’s angry gaze.She sighed.What did she do this time?
The blond man put his hand on her shoulder.
“What’s making you so sad?”
All three looked around for the cause of her sudden sadness.
A shiver ran down her back when Cole’s look grew darker, and he started milling through the crowd.
Victoria turned away suddenly.“I’m sorry.But I forgot I had to do something ...at home...”she said, sounding a little panicked.
The shorter of the three grasped her arm.
“Wait.What’s going on?If someone is scaring you, you need to tell us so we can help.”
Tears stung her eyes at the gentle way he handled her.“Thank you, I’m not in danger, but I do...”
“You’re not going anywhere, and Joe, take your fucking hand off her,” Cole grunted in a heated tone.
All four and the crowd around them froze and turned.
Joe raised his hands.
“Hey, Cole.If I had known she was yours, I wouldn’t have touched her.”
“But I’m not his,” Victoria spat and turned her narrow eyes on Cole.“Who touches me is none of your business, Mr.Conley.”
He bent until he was about nose to nose with her.“Hell, yes, it is.And if you call me Mr.Conley again, you’re going over my knee.”
Victoria gasped as her blush became hotter.The people around her chuckled, not even trying to hide their amusement or interest in the show they were putting on.
Her hands went to her hips, and she narrowed her eyes.“You wouldn’t dare...”
“Bet me, sweetheart.”
Victoria was silent for a moment, then turned to the men.“It was very nice meeting you, but I’m somewhere I’m not supposed to be.”
The blond man frowned at Cole before he looked back down at her.“You can be anywhere you want to be, Victoria.”
“No, she can’t.”
The gruff sound of Cole’s voice over her shoulder was hard, but the way he was trying to alienate her was devastating her.Before anyone said anything else, she turned and ran through the crowd.She had to get outside before she broke down in front of everyone.
A large hand reached out and pulled her to a stop.“Wait, goddammit.Where the hell do you think you’re going?”
She pulled frantically at her arm.“Home.Please let me go, Mr....Cole.I don’t want to cause more drama.I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were going to be here, or I wouldn’t have come tonight.”
He moved them away from the crowd and turned her until they were facing each other, and he could see her face.He kept a good grip on her because she still looked like she wanted to flee.
“What the hell does that mean?”
