Page 103 of Just Ten Seconds

Dean is quickly at my side, his chest barrels out as he grimaces down at the guy’s hold on me.

I move in closer to Dean, forcing the guy to release me, and Dean places a protective arm around me.

“You have me confused with someone else.”

The guy in the suit doesn’t seem to like my reply. By his clothes, he might appear to be prim and proper, but his snarl is anything but. “You can play dumb with most people, but I know who you are.”

Dean’s arm hardens around me. “Listen, asshole, she doesn’t know you.”

The man lifts his chin to Dean. “You gonna throw me out too? Because, seriously, I was gonna give her the benefit of the doubt and think she didn’t know her husband was stealing millions, but from the way she’s acting, I’m starting to think she’s really just as guilty as him.”

I close my eyes as the bile builds in my throat.

Jackie’s party.

This guy recognized me.

And Nick kicked him out.

I pull on Dean’s shirt, willing him to walk with me. He doesn’t budge.

He’s glaring at the guy, his fist clenched and rising slowly. “Her husband’s dead.”

The guy laughs out loud. “No, he’s not. He’s Benjamin Greenfield, serving eighteen to life over at Fishkill. That case is all anyone in my office talked about for a year.”

Dean’s arm loosens around me as he takes a step closer, looking like he’s ready to punch the guy. “What did you say?”

There’s a small crowd forming around the two.

The music is still blaring as I yank on Dean’s arm. “Let’s go.”

The guy scowls at the sight of Dean’s defensive posture. “Come on. You wanna fight? I don’t care. I’ll get kicked out again for calling her out. What’s her problem, by the way?” He takes his phone out of his pocket and holds it up as if he’s about to take a picture of me.

Dean slaps the phone out of his hand, and it falls to the floor.

People behind us make obscene comments, followed by snickers and hisses that there’s gonna be a fight.

“Dean, come on,” I plead. “It’s not worth it.”

“I’m not just going to let him lie about you!” he shouts. His arm is up in the air as if he’s ready to fend off a punch should one come his way.

I shake my head. I don’t want Dean to fight. Not with this guy. Not here. Not over me.

“He’s not lying!” I shout.

Dean’s arm falls as the realization of my words hit him across the face like a sledgehammer.

It’s too late. The guy looks vicious as he takes charge. Dean pushes me out of the way just as a fist comes barreling toward him. The punch lands on Dean’s cheek, but he doesn’t flinch. He merely rubs a thumb over his skin to make sure he’s not bleeding. Then, he walks toward the suit and grabs his arm, pinning it behind his back as he turns him around and pulls up.

I can’t see the guy’s face, but his back is arching back into Dean’s hold.

Jackie is at my side, yanking on my shoulders.

“No!” I shout to her. “I’m not leaving Dean.”

“The longer you stay in here, the longer he’ll fight. Joe’s coming with the bouncer to break this up.” She pulls me toward the back door.

The music is still playing, but everyone has their attention on the dance floor. I look over just in time to see Dean release the guy, who runs up to hit Dean, but Dean lands a punch, causing the guy to fall into the crowd of people behind him.