“Not going to happen. You lost your right to Penny when you fucked another woman,” I say loud enough for everyone to hear. I want them to know what a scumbag he is and stop pointing the blame at Penny.
“Get the fuck out of my way. Penny ismyfiancée.” His mouth twists with anger.
Everyone has stopped eating. Cameras are pointing in our direction. Shit! This is not good.
“Penny isn’t your fiancée anymore. She’smygirlfriend. If you don’t turn around and leave, I’ll personally toss you out on your ass.”
“Penny!” he calls out, trying again to step around me.
I stand my ground and don’t let him pass. “One last warning…fuck off.” Rage is bubbling inside me, wanting him to give me an excuse to put my fist in his face.
Penny puts her hand on my back. “Lucas, it’s okay. Let him tell me what he wants so he can leave.”
Every muscle is vibrating in my body, telling me not to move, but I step aside for Penny to stand next to me.
“What do you want, Darren?” she asks.
Like nothing has happened, like he hasn’t slandered her name, ruined her reputation, and betrayed her, he steps forward with his arms out wide, going in for a hug.
I reach out and put my hand on his chest, stopping him from coming any closer. “Do. Not. Fucking. Touch. Her.” I grind out each word. The threatening tone in my voice makes him retreat.
He shuffles his feet. “I’ve seen things online. I wanted to check out if it was true. You reallyareinvolved with him.” His unimpressed gaze travels up and down the length of me.
Asshole, she’s upgraded to first class. You’re not good enough to be put in baggage.
“Looks like it didn’t take you long to shack up with him after you tore my heart out,” he sneers.
Penny, along with the diners, gasp with shock. The onlookers aim their sympathetic gazes at Darren. I need to get him out of the restaurant before he ruins everything we’re trying to fix.
“Darren, leave. Now.” I control the anger in my tone and try to stay as calm as possible.
“This is a public place. I have a right to be here. Maybe I’ll join you for lunch,” he says with a mocking tone and a smug smile.He crosses his arms over his chest like he’s challenging me to do something. It’s taking all my self-control to not kick him out.
I lean toward him, and he flinches like he’s scared I’m going to hit him.Not so tough under all that bravado.Keeping my voice down, I say, “You’re only here to cause trouble for Penny. Don’t you think you’ve done enough to her? Get lost before things get ugly.” I nod my head in the direction of the entrance.
He ignores my warning and looks at Penny. “How could you do this to me? After all the years we were together, don’t you think flaunting your affair in public two weeks after what should have been our wedding day is a little insensitive?” He said the words loud enough for everyone to hear. I wouldn’t be surprised if the chefs in the kitchen heard.
Penny’s gaze darts around the room, her face turning bright red. “Can we go somewhere private to discuss this?”
“There’s no way I’m letting you go anywhere with this asshole. He needs to fuck off and keep his distance. He’s here to humiliate you, and it’s working.” I step between them. “Get the hell away frommygirlfriend. If you so much as come near her again, you’ll be eating through a straw.”
Darren pokes a finger into my chest. “Make me.”
Rage is running through my veins. I shove at his chest. “Don’t tempt me.”
Darren’s fist flies toward my face. Lifting my left arm, I block it then slam my right fist into his gut. He buckles at the waist with a groan, clutching his stomach and wheezing for air.
Gasps and chatter spreads through the room.
Penny’s eyes are wide with fright, and her hand is covering her mouth.
The hostess comes scurrying over with a worried expression on her face. “I’m going to have to ask you all to leave. We can’t have this kind of behavior in our restaurant.”
I pull my wallet from my pocket and toss money on the table. “I’m sorry for the trouble.” But not sorry for punching the asshole.
I clasp onto Penny’s hand, nudge Darren out of the way, and lead her out of the restaurant.
Outside, we’re greeted with the frenzied sound of clicking cameras pointed in our direction as the photographers yell our names out at us like we’re going to stop and pose for photos. Fuck! With all the commotion, I’d forgotten about them.
