He says something to her.
She shakes her head. Keeps working.
He doesn't leave.
My jaw tightens, but it’s not my problem.
I force myself to look away. Focus on my breathing. Count to ten again. The ringing in my ears is fading now, replaced by the dull roar of conversation, the clang of metal chairs being stacked, someone's boots on the stairs.
When I look back, Leather Jacket's still there. Closer now. He's leaning in, saying something that makes her take a step back.
She's shaking her head again. Firmer this time.
He grabs her arm. The adrenaline that was bleeding out of me floods back in an instant. I'm moving before I decide to move.
Across the Pit. Through the thinning crowd. People get out of my way without me having to say a word. They always do. I'm six-four, two-fifty, and built like I was designed specifically to break things.
Most people have survival instincts.
Leather Jacket doesn't notice me coming. He's too focused on her, on whatever bullshit line he's feeding her while his fingers dig into her arm hard enough that I can see her wince.
"Let go," she says. Firm. Trying to stay calm.
"Come on, sweetheart," he says, grinning like he's doing her a favor. "Just one drink. You work here, right? You know how to have a good time."
"I said no."
"Don't be like that—"
I stop right behind him. Close enough that my shadow falls over both of them.
"She said no."
My voice comes out low. Rough. The kind of voice that's spent ten years learning exactly how to sound dangerous without even trying.
Leather Jacket spins around, and for half a second, he looks annoyed. Like I'm interrupting something. Then he sees me, and the color drains out of his face.
"Whoa, hey, man," he says, hands up, taking a step back. "We're just talking."
"No," I say. "You're leaving."
His eyes flick to Joanna, then back to me. He's weighing his options. Trying to decide if his pride's worth the hospital visit.
It's not.
"Yeah, alright," he mutters. "Jesus. Didn't know she was spoken for."
He turns and walks away fast, disappearing into the crowd still filtering out toward the exits. I watch him go. Make sure he's actually leaving and not just circling back. When I'm satisfied, I turn to her.
Joanna's staring at me. Wide-eyed. Like she's not sure if I just saved her or if she's in more danger now than she was a minute ago.
I take a step back. Give her space. Don't want her thinking I'm the same as him.
"You good?" I ask.
She blinks. Nods. Doesn't say anything.
"He touch you anywhere else?"