“And for future reference.” My jaw tightens. “You don’t get to talk shit about her in front of me again.”
Ryder hides his grin behind his joint while Ryker outright laughs.
“Damn, lovesick and scary. Rough combo,” Ryker grunts, and I flip him off without looking away from Ophelia, because now she’s dancing with some random guy near the middle of the room and my patience is about to snap.
“Easy, Killer.” Ryder chuckles, but I don’t take my eyes off her.
This prick has his hands on her waist while she sways with a smile on her face.
It’s fake. I know every real expression she has and every fake one too.
This smile is survival.
But when this soon to be dead motherfucker leans down and whispers something in her ear and she actually laughs… jealously punches me square in the throat.
MINE.
The thought comes fast.
Violent. Instinctive.
Then it gets worse.
Someone shouts for body shots near the beer pong tables. A group gathers instantly, chanting like idiots while Bianca laughs hysterically.
And before I can process what’s happening.
Ophelia gets dragged into it.
“No, no, no.” She laughs breathlessly while people cheer.
Some drunk asshole drops to his knees in front of her while salt gets sprinkled along the curve of her stomach above her low-rise jeans.
My vision goes fucking red.
The guy leans in and licks her skin slowly, then takes the shot while the crowd erupts cheering. She laughs awkwardly, clearly drunk enough not to realize how dangerous this situation is becoming.
Meanwhile, I’m one second away from catching a murder charge.
“Ghost…” Ryder calls out, but it’s too late.
I’m already moving. People part automatically as I shove through the crowd toward her.
My pulse pounds while every protective instinct inside me loses its goddamn mind.
And then, some other idiot wraps an arm around her waist from behind.
“She’s hot as fuck, man,” he slurs towards his friend while squeezing her ass.That’s it!
I grab him by the throat so fast he doesn’t even register what’s happening before I slam him against the nearest support beam.
The warehouse falls silent around us.
“What the fuck—”
My fist cracks across his jaw before he finishes speaking.
Blood sprays.
