Turning to the direction of the surprise attack, I’m stunned to find Harvey’s furious gaze fixed on Rick—who already has a bruise forming on his cheek. Being as quiet as possible, I scurry back and sink to the ground so Harvey’s attention won’t shift to me.
Muffling my wails behind my hands, I bring my knees to my chest and curl into a ball. It gets harder to breathe, but I can’t risk making a noise.
Harvey stalks towards the man on the ground like a predator. I immediately shelter my eyes when he starts pounding Rick’s face into the hard ground.
For a quick second, I pity Rick for being on the receiving end of Harvey’s wrath. Part of me is glad that Rick is forced to feel what I did when he let his frustrations win, but a bigger part of me just wants to go home and never see his face ever again.
For the next ten minutes, all I hear is the sound of bone cracking, Rick’s painful groans and fist connecting to flesh. Idon’t dare open my eyes, fearing the sight will be too much for me.
When two hands grab my shoulders out of nowhere, a terrified scream rips from me. I try to scoot back so Rick can’t touch me, but the wall behind me doesn’t let me.
No more!
“It’s just me, darling,” I feel a light brush on my cheek, and the sparks from it make my eyes flutter open. Harvey is crouched in front of me, concern and misery etched on his face, and I immediately relax, knowing it’s him. “He won’t bother you again, I promise.”
The words soothe my fear, but I want to be sure. When I try to look past him, Harvey quickly pulls me on his lap so we are both facing the wall. I don’t overthink before wrapping my arms around his muscled waist and hiding my face in his chest, letting my tears flow—no control over my sobs.
I don’t know how long we stay like that, Harvey comforting me, whispering sweet nothings in my ear, and gently rocking us side to side while I try to remember how to breathe normally.
When my cries reduce to small sniffs, I look up at him with a foggy vision, “Thank you for coming after me.”
“You’re welcome, darling,” he holds my chin to place a quick kiss on the corner of my mouth, making me blush furiously.
Harvey shifts me so I’m straddling him and stands up with me in his arms like I weigh absolutely nothing. I lock my thighs around his hips and my arms around his neck. Gripping the collar of his leather jacket, I hide my face in his neck and take deep breaths of his addictive scent.My mate smells so good.
I stiffen when I trace the raised bumps on his skin at the back of his neck. I know what they are; having seen enough of them on Nevaeh, I know they’re his share of poorly healed scars, just like the ones my sister wears.
Suddenly, the tattoos covering his whole body carry a heavier weight. I’ve seen enough people with tattoos to know the difference between doing it because you like them and doing it to hide something.
It breaks my heart to consider the level of pain Harvey must’ve felt to hide his scars so his sufferings wouldn’t be on display each day, every day.
Tightening my hold, I press my nose in the crook of his neck, and without hesitance, Harvey rubs my back—responding to my eagerness to be closer with equal fervor. He holds my dress in place over my thighs, so I don’t accidentally flash anyone.
Thankfully, it’s two in the morning, or this would’ve turned into a much bigger public scene. Before I can peek a glance at Rick, who has been silent this entire time, Harvey spins us around so I’m facing the entrance.
“Is he…”
“Yes. Does that upset you?” I don’t like how worried he sounds, so I quickly find a way to ease his mind.
“No. But you didn’t have to do that.”
“Anyone who lays a hand on my mate deserves his fate.”
My warm cheek nuzzles his neck, and I stop trying to find Rick, making myself comfortable in my mate’s arms. “You’ll have to walk backwards, Harvey,” I murmur into his neck and peck the faded scar there.
I can’t get enough of my lips on his skin. I’ve read that the mate bond affects humans differently, and the desire is tenfold, but I don’t think Harvey minds judging by how he sighs whenever I kiss his neck.
“I’m a Horseman,my saving Grace. I think I can manage,” he whispers, his warm breath causing goosebumps to spread on my skin.
When he pats my bum twice before cupping and squeezing once, I know I’m in trouble.
CHAPTER 16
He wants me to be his what?!
Nevaeh
Before Hazel can throw open the back gate where brainless bimbos with horrible skin and a bunch of dumb warlocks are marching toward us, Angel blocks my path, looking uncharacteristically nervous.
