Page 96 of All Tied Down

“You have no idea what he’s going through—Darren is under a lot of stress,” she barks, but she has no idea the kind of man Darren is, the kind that will drop her in an instant, because I have no doubt she’s here because he thought it would make Garrett jealous. Or to hurt him and make Garrett regret kicking him out of the band.

But I won’t let that happen because I watched Garrett grieve that decision as years of his life and career ended because the asshole in front of us couldn’t get his shit together.

“I can imagine. Drinking, womanizing, and starting fights for no reason sounds exhausting.”

“Garrett, you’re really gonna pick her over me? After everything we’ve been through? You’re fucking pathetic.” Darren fumes, hatred and disgust dripping from every word.

“Talk to my husband like that again and I’ll have you blacklisted from every event. Every venue. And every reputable professional in your industry.” I smile sweetly as Heather’s eyes flick from Garrett’s to Darren’s before she tries to pull him away.

“She can’t do that. Let’s just go,” Heather murmurs to the former lead guitarist of Descending North, but I keep my smile in place.

Garrett’s hand wraps around my hip, his fingers digging into me, and I’m not sure if he’s trying to reassure himself or me that everything will be all right.

It must be him because I know damn well I won’t settle for anything less.

“I can and I will.”

Darren snorts, and I’d love to slap that smug expression off his face as he drapes his arm around her shoulders in the way that looks sleazy instead of protective.

“She thinks she can, but she’s got skeletons in her closet like everyone else.” His gaze rakes over me and Garrett stiffens, his restraint slipping as he clenches his jaw. “Won’t be long till we dig them up.”

“No need to dig,” I offer, and Darren grins like he’s won, but I simply trace my fingertip around the rim of my champagne flute. “My name is on the building, so I keep my skeletons out front for everyone to see.” When Heather blanches, I grin. “I like people to know what they’re getting into because there are no second chances…and those skeletons serve as a reminder.”

Darren’s expression is hard as he looks at Garrett, my husband casually sipping his drink even though his fingers are most likely leaving little bruises on my hip.

“You think you’re better just because you’re hiding in your ivory tower with Daddy’s money. You’re nothing but a⁠—”

I feel Garrett lean toward the table again, my palm moving to his chest to hold him back because what’s the worst Darren can call me? A whore?

Oh no, I’m devastated.

“That’s enough.” Ozzy’s voice is low, his expression pissed as Darren turns into him with his arm cocked back and swings.

Heather gasps as Darren is subdued almost instantly—not that it shuts him up—his drunken punch missing Ozzy completely. With Jace and Grimm flanking him, Ozzy leads Darren through the crowd with Heather in tow as Darren yells to anyone within earshot what a piece of shit Garrett is and how I’m the bitch who ruined his life.

Charming.

I want to say a million nasty things back because Darren really did ruin something incredible, not just with the band but his friends too.

“I’m sorry, Garrett, I⁠—”

He doesn’t let me finish, just cups my face in his hands and kisses me, with gratitude and promise and the kind of possession that marks a woman for the rest of her life.

And tonight I’m okay with it.

Tonight, I just want to be Garrett’s wife.

38

GARRETT

My chest is heaving when I finally pull back, blood pounding in my ears as my gaze rakes over Emerson’s flushed cheeks and swollen lips, and I need her.

Taking her hand, I lead her out of the main space and past Grimm, who I tell we’ll be ready to leave in a couple of minutes. He nods, his expression never changing, and I’m thankful for that. Leading Emerson away from the crowd, I find the first unlocked door and peek inside, the light from the hallway all I need to confirm it’s empty before dragging her inside the linen closet.

Perfect.

“What are you—” she starts but I don’t give her the chance, cupping her face in my hands as I take her mouth in a bruising kiss. The door closes behind us, plunging us into darkness save for the sliver of light peeking in from the hallway. It’s messy and needy and so damn hot. She moans and I swallow that too, growling as I push her back until her back collides with the wall.