Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 39421 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 197(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39421 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 197(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
“Good,” I said, keeping my senses alert to the people in my surroundings. “Let ’em know they’ve got something to lose.”
Edge’s eyes flicked to the side, narrowing. “What the fuck?”
I followed his gaze, and my gut twisted.
I’d noticed when Emily stepped out of the pit to grab something from the cart near the edge of the lot, away from the rest of the crew. But Edge had diverted my attention, and now she was boxed in by two big motherfuckers in dark hoodies. Wide shoulders, cold eyes, and radiating intimidation. They were the kind of guys who walked with the casual confidence of men used to getting their way. One leaned in close, speaking low and sharp to Emily.
She was stiff as steel, her chin lifted, refusing to show fear, but I saw the way her hand twitched at her side. A subtle tell that she was scared. That’s my girl.
I was already moving, but when one of them grabbed her arm, I growled, “Fuck this,” and sped up. Edge followed right behind me.
Once we reached her, I stepped between Emily and the taller of the two pricks—although I had at least two inches on him—and met his gaze dead-on.
I didn’t even raise my voice. “You lost?” I asked, low and controlled. Deadly.
The guy sneered. “Just giving some advice to the girl here. She’s been sticking her nose where it don’t belong.”
Keeping my expression unreadable, I tilted my head, letting the silence drag just long enough to tighten the noose, then murmured, “You have three seconds to walk away before I start snapping bones alphabetically, starting with your ankles and ending with your fucking spine.”
He hesitated, but something in my tone must’ve gotten through.
Or maybe it was the fact that Edge stepped up beside me, hand resting near the blade sheathed at his belt, his expression almost bored. “When he’s done, I’m gonna carve a smile across your throat and make you watch your own pulse bleed out in the dirt.”
Whatever the reason, both thugs backed off and slunk away.
“Fucking cowards,” I grunted. Bullies never stayed brave when someone stood taller.
Emily tried to thank me, but I waved her gratitude off—until I caught the tremor in her hands.
“Hey.” I stepped in, reaching for her. “You okay?”
She jerked back slightly, cheeks pink, and her gaze darting over my shoulder for a second. “I’m fine. Don’t—” Her voice cracked, and she whispered, “Don’t let them see me like this. I don’t want them thinking I’m weak.”
Edge scoffed. “They're not stupid enough to believe that, Em.”
Her expression said she didn’t believe him. She inhaled slowly, but her hands were still trembling.
I slid my palm against hers and interlaced our fingers, already moving and grunted, “Come on.”
She let me lead her away, keeping her head down, until we were around the corner behind a stack of shipping crates. No one could see us there—not crew, cameras, or asshole thugs looking for a reaction.
I pulled her against me, and she came without resistance. Nor did she fight me when I wrapped both arms around her and held her tight.
Her hands bunched in my shirt, and she buried her face in my chest, breathing shaky and quiet. I didn’t say anything. Just held Emily and let her fall apart. She didn’t make a sound, but I could feel the tears soaking my shirt.
A few minutes later, she finally exhaled and stepped back, wiping at her eyes. “Sorry,” she muttered. Then she blew out a harsh breath and fisted her hands at her sides. “I just…ugh. I hate that I freaking cried. I hate that they scared me.”
“They should’ve,” I said, brushing her hair back from her cheek. “Those fuckers were threatening you. You don’t have to be like stone every second of the day. Feeling something doesn’t make you less.”
She tried to scoff, but it wobbled. “You sound like my brother.”
I leaned closer, my voice dropping to a whisper. “I sound better than your brother, angel. And a fuck of a lot more dangerous.”
Her eyes widened just slightly, and I saw the flush spread down her throat. It was sexy as hell, and I wanted to follow the trail of color with my tongue. Instead, I muttered, “You don’t have to blend in with the guys, baby. Fuck their opinions. You’re not one of them.”
Before I could stop myself, my fingers brushed her cheek and trailed to her collarbone, causing her to shiver. Her skin was as soft as silk, and her bright blue eyes had deepened to sapphire. Then my lips curled down at the thought of her standing out among the grease monkeys, and I blurted, “Never mind.”
She blinked up at me. “Why?”
I hesitated, thinking about all the ways I could answer that. Ultimately, I settled on the truth. “Because I don’t want other men looking at you like that. I don’t want them wanting you. Fantasizing about my angel. Touching what’s not theirs—even if it’s only in their dreams.”