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“Emma,” a different voice says – a voice that raises every hair on my arms and sends my heart galloping again as fear seizes my throat and dread washes over me. I place my hand on the bar to support myself and glance up, not at all prepared to face him.

Ryan steps up next to Nix and the sight of the two of them together is so wrong that I want to run over and pry them apart. And just like that, I get some much needed answers. Nix is different than Ryan. He has to be because my gut reaction wouldn’t be to separate them if he wasn’t… right? Looking between the two men, I blow out a breath and shake my head. I’ve reached my limit and I just can’t take anymore today. I was already feeling off balance with Nix here and then Ryan had to show up. Honestly, I don’t even know how I’m still standing.

“Ryan, you need to leave,” I say, wishing my voice was stronger right now and he couldn’t hear the fear his presence brings. Glancing over at Nix, I want to die. He’s watching us intently and it’s like he can see everything written out on our faces. First, I embarrass myself by freaking out about those silly words and now Ryan shows up. Is Nix going to think I’m insane? The more important question is, why do I care so much?

“Baby, come talk to me.” It’s clear from his voice he’s not asking but I won’t give in. I shake my head, emphatically. I will not go anywhere with him. “Emma,” he growls. It takes every ounce of self-restraint I have to fight my body’s reaction to obey him.

I know the consequences if I don’t.

No, that’s not true. He doesn’t control me anymore.

“I think you need to go, dude,” Nix says, standing toe-to-toe with Ryan.

“Fuck off, asshole.”

“She said leave.” Nix puffs out his chest to make himself even bigger. Not that he needs it. He’s already taller and wider than Ryan. Ryan’s eyes shoot to me and he glares.

“You little slut. You’re fucking him?”

I snap, a rage that has been laying dormant inside me for the past year barreling to the surface. “Fuck off, Ryan. Even if I was fucking him, which I’m not, it wouldn’t be any of your goddamn business. We are through and you need to get the hell out of my bar.”

Ryan clenches a fist and it takes every ounce of self-restraint I have to remain rooted to my spot when my body is screaming at me to flee. I know better than to talk to him like that. He takes a step toward me and Nix cuts him off, shielding me with his large body in front of the bar.

“What the fuck are you doing here, asshole?” Moe growls, coming out from the back office with Trey right on his heels. They step out from behind the bar and stand on either side of Nix.

“I came to talk to my girl,” Ryan snaps back, not backing down.

“She’s not your girl anymore,” Trey challenges and I scoot down the bar a little to peek around the three men protecting me. Ryan’s gaze flicks over to me and he smiles – a kind of smile that makes me want to throw up.

“She’ll always be my girl.”

“Naw, man. You lost that right the first time you laid your hands on her!” Trey shouts and the bar goes silent, every pair of eyes on us. Nix peeks over his shoulder at me and I hate the pity in his eyes. From the back corner of the bar, three of our regulars stand and walk over to us with purpose. When they get to the bar, their eyes soften and land on me.

“He hit you, Darlin’?” one asks and I nod, dropping my gaze to the floor. I can’t stand to see how everyone is looking at me right now.

“Please just get him out of here,” I plead to anyone that will listen, peeking up at Nix who is still staring at me like he knows me now.

“Let’s go, you piece of shit,” one of the regulars says, shoving Ryan toward the door and he shrugs him off.

“Get your hands off me,” Ryan growls.

“You can leave right now or we’ll get the cops involved.”

Ryan laughs and I take a step back, shaking my head. “I am the cops, fucking moron.”

“Then we’ll handle this another way,” someone else says, cracking his knuckles.

“All right, that’s enough. Outside!” Moe yells, his voice booming above everyone else’s as he starts shoving Ryan toward the door. Trey follows them and Nix moves closer to me without taking his eyes off them. Once he gets closer to the door, I feel safe enough to step out from behind the bar and stand next to Nix.

“You’re mine, Emma!” Ryan yells, right before he gets pushed outside. I feel Nix’s eyes on me but I can’t bring myself to look at him as the embarrassment seeps through me.

“Hey,” Nix says softly and his voice coaxes me into action. Ever so slowly, I raise my head until I’m looking into his addicting blue gaze. He raises his hand to my face and gently brushes his thumb over my cheek. I’m shocked when I find myself leaning into his touch.

Holy shit, what is he doing to me?

“I’m beginning to understand, Emma,” he says. A warm smile on his lips as he stares down at me.

“My friends call me Em,” I whisper.