“Before? This jerk has bothered you before?” Rohan bellows, fury making his skin turn ruddy. He tries to shake Vega off but thankfully, by then, DuPont and Coach have noticed the disturbance and joined us.
With some skill, we shuffle everyone farther down the hall so we’re not overheard by any passers-by.
I pat DuPont on his back and discreetly nod toward Moore, who is refusing to be led away. Rohan, as our AC, absolutely cannot getinto a fight with this man. One look at the way his lips are twisted in an ugly smirk tells me Alia’s ex is the petty and vengeful sort.
“Rohan, let’s not make the same mistakes,” Coach warns, and I can see him fighting with himself for control.
“Fine. Alia, let’s go.”
“No,” she replies. “I need to finish this conversation.”
If Rohan’s head had a lid, it would’ve hit the ceiling.
“No fucking way,” he snaps. “You can’t deal with him alone.”
I know he means well, but damn, if that isn’t borderline infantilizing her. Her expression falls, her color climbing high. It’s all I can do not to call him an idiot to his face.
“I’m staying,” she says, quietly, but with conviction.Attagirl!
Before Moore can protest, Theo and I flank her, letting him know in action that we’ll be there with her.
With effort, Vega, DuPont, and Coach drag Moore away from the eye of the storm and out the back door. Irsia follows them, turning once to check on us. Whatever she sees when her gaze sweeps from her cousin to me must put her at ease because her chin tips down, as though she’s trusting me with Alia’s safety. Before I can make any sense of that feeling, the door closes.
“I forgot how much you and your family liked drama.” The jeering voice grates on my nerves, and it takes a lot to remain calm.
I turn just as Alia snarks, “You’re the one who started this, Namik. You get some kind of sick enjoyment from tormenting people.”
“Or maybe you overreacted like you always do. Don’t even get me started on your cousin. Fucking brute.”
“Or you could learn that no means no when I tell you to stay away from me.” She glares at him, refusing to cower, and I’msoproud.
I curl my palm around her elbow when she turns toward me. “Did he touch you?”
“I didn’t touch the bitch and, even if I did, she’s my wife.”
“Ex!”Alia and I snap together just as Novak steps right in his face and barks, “Watch your fucking mouth.”
I tug Novak back, stopping him from throwing the punch he looks ready to deliver, and finally face the man I’ve been dreaming of dismembering.
His gleaming dark hair is swept back in a style that looks like it took time to perfect, his clear skin, and well-groomed beard. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s attractive—if your type is a stuck-up stockbroker. But his eyes hold a cruelty I’ve learned to read with time, his lips turned in a sneer I want to wipe out with my fist.
When I step toward him, Alia slaps a hand on my chest. My gaze drops down to her worried face as protectiveness rushes through me.
“Please, Cal,” she whispers. “Let it go. I don’t want any trouble.”
“Just gonna talk, Tots,” I promise, drawing her behind me to safety.
Her ex scoffs at my gesture, eyes narrowing to where my hand rests on hers.
“No fucking way. You two have something going on?”
“None of your business,” I cut in, my tone so cold it should’ve been warning enough to stop talking.
Like the dumbass he is, he continues. “Didn’t realize prudes were your style,” he snorts. “Hey man, good luck getting her on her knees.”
Alia’s gasp echoes as I shove him against the wall, his face twisting when his shoulder blades connect with cold brick. His pained grunt is delightful to me.
“What the hell—?”