Blake smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes, giving me a clue that something was very wrong. “Yes.”
The man seemed to sense the same thing, because he said, “Nah, Blake. I’m good. You can say what you need to say right here.”
Shrugging, she said, “Sure?”
“Very.”
She beckoned him closer with her forefinger. “Did you hit my sister?” One of the guys next to him stood, like he was going to do something to her. When Jace stepped forward, Blake placed her hand against his chest. “I got this, Jace.”
Scanning the immediate area, I noticed the stares from several people and a few cellphones out, probably ready to record. I rolled my sleeves up, ready to jump in if I had to, because I had no tolerance for any man who hit a woman.
“Tyler?” Blake continued, her voice soft, measured. “I’m going to ask you again. Did you hit my very pregnant sister?”
Tyler glanced back at his boys, then to Jace, then to Blake. “Did your sister tell you that?” Blake didn’t respond; she didn’t even blink. “Man, get out of here. I don’t have time for your bullshit.” He shoved her.
Seconds later, Tyler was on the ground, and Blake was kicking the shit out of him. Jace grabbed her, but she kicked herself free from his hold too. Before she could reach Tyler again, I jumped into action, snaking an arm around her waist and pulling her away.
“Fuck you, muthafucka!” she shouted at Tyler, bucking against my hold. “Don’t you ever lay your punk-ass hands on my sister again.”
Tyler groaned. “Call the police,” he stammered, trying to stand. He fell back on the floor. “Your ass is going to jail for assault, Blake.”
Jace leaned down and grumbled, “As far as I’m concerned, it was self-defense. Everybody in here saw you push her first. One more thing…the next time you think about putting your hands on Bliss or Blake, don’t. It would give me nothing but pure pleasure to lock your sorry ass up.”
As far asIwas concerned, Tyler got what he deserved. And it made me more intrigued about the woman who’d given it to him.
Chapter 5
You Oughta Know
Blake
Iblacked out.
The rage I felt, the anger threatening to split me open, had barely subsided, but my surroundings started coming into focus. The crowd, the stares, the flashes of light from camera phones, Tyler writhing in pain on the floor.
Sounds registered next. The crunch of glass beneath my feet, laughter behind me, whispers beside me, the sports commentator on the televisions, and the raspy voice against my ear. Suddenly, I felt arms around me—strong, steady—and realized someone was holding on to me, talking to me.
Jace stood off to my side, talking on the phone.It’s not him. I bucked against the person, determined to free myself. All the tricks I’d learned, all the maneuvers that had served me well in the past…nothing worked.
The forceful command I’d intended to growl out turned into a lame and weary, “Let me go.”
“You’re okay,” the voice whispered. “I got you.”
I gave up the fight, sagging against the hard chest at my back. “Fuck you,” I spit out. The soft chuckle in my ear soothed me for some reason, put me at ease a little. “I’m good,” I breathed. “I’m calm.”
A moment later, I felt the hold on me wane and I was able to tear myself free. Whirling around, I was ready to clock the jerk. “Don’t fuckin’…”Touch me again, muthafuckadied on my lips when I realized the man who’d held me until my breathing had steadied, the man who’d tried his best to keep me from putting Tyler in the hospital, was Lennox.
He reached out, but I backed away, nearly tripping over a bar stool that had tipped over. Lennox acted quickly, pulling me back toward him so I didn’t hit the floor. His tight grip held me against him, only this time we were chest to chest, eyes on each other.
Swallowing, I let out a slow breath. “You.”
That damn smirk formed on his perfect lips. “You,” he repeated.
I licked my lips and stepped away from him. This time, he let me go. “I—” Two police officers entered the bar. “I fucked up,” I whispered.
One of the officers helped Tyler up, while the other one pulled out handcuffs.My ass is really going to jail. Yet, the officer didn’t even look at me. Instead, he calmly placed the cuffs on Tyler and escorted him out of the bar.
Lennox leaned down, pressed his lips against my ear. “He pushed you first. You defended yourself.”
