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.The inebriated women got a little too close, running a hand down my chest, grabbing my ass.One even reached for my package until I seized her wrist and told her to back off.I took the stairs two at a time.Thankfully only the door at the end of the hall was closed, so Ididn t have a hard time figuring out where she was.Tapping my knuckles against the wood, I said, Jaci, it s me.Open up. Nex? Yeah, let me in, sweetheart. I could still feel the adrenaline surging through my body as mypulse pounded in my ears.I heard the distinct sound of furniture being dragged across the wood floorbefore I turned the knob and opened the door. Thank God you re here, she said, launching herself into my arms. I didn t know anyone here.I don t have any money, just my house key and phone.I didn t think I d need my purse or  It s okay, I whispered, stroking her hair as I tried to contain my own anxiety.She was okay.She was safe in my arms.That was the only thing that mattered. I ve got you.You re okay now.I peeled her arms from around my neck so I could get a better look at her.As soon as I did, thefury came back.Her makeup was streaked from crying, but the thing that really made my blood boilwas seeing her torn shirt.It was a white, sheer tank layered over a fitted white tank top, so she wasstill fully covered, but it was obvious someone had been tearing at her clothes. Who the hell did this to you? I asked, taking the shredded fabric in my hand.When her eyeslanded on my chest, I gripped her upper arms. I asked you a question, Jaci.Did that bastard you toldme about on the phone do this? Yeah, but it s okay.I got away from him before  Come on, I said, grabbing her hand. You re going to point him out to me. No! She grabbed my wrist with her free hand, stopping in her tracks. Please don t startanything.I just want to get out of here.Please.I understood how she felt, but no way was I going to let someone get away with thinking it wasokay to try to take something she wasn t willing to give. This won t take long. A matter of a fewseconds for me to knock him out cold.She gripped my arm as we made our way down the stairs.I didn t even have to ask who he was.As soon as we got downstairs, some greaseball zeroed in on her before his eyes met mine and dartedaway. That s him, isn t it? I asked her over my shoulder. Yeah, but, Nex, please don t& Her plea was drowned out by the aggression pumping through my veins.It had been a whilesince I d been in a fight and years since I d gone looking for them, but I had to admit knocking this sonof a bitch on his ass was gonna feel better than my last high. Hey, I said, loud enough to draw attention from the people crowded around on the patio.Whenthe little weasel saw me coming, he slipped out the patio door, thinking he could get lost in the crowd.No such luck. I m talking to you, I said, grabbing his shoulder when he had nowhere else to run. What? he asked, turning slowly to face me.I grabbed a fistful of his shirt, his face close to mine as I felt the heat of Jaci s chest pressedagainst my back. You wanna tell me what the hell happened between you and my girlfriend earlier?I felt Jaci tense as I claimed her as mine, but I intended to make sure that all of these drunk deadbeatsgot the message loud and clear.They messed with her, they messed with me. I, uh&  He glanced at Jaci over my shoulder.I drew him closer, his face mere inches from mine. You so much as look at her again, and I llknock all your teeth out.We clear? Yeah, he said, raising his hands. I hear ya, man.No worries. Oh, you should be worried, you punkass kid. I d laid out guys like him all through high schooland college.The ones who didn t know enough to respect that when a woman said no, she meant it. You think I m gonna let you off the hook that easy? I sneered at him. Not a chance. Look, I m sorry, he said, his eyes darting to Jaci for a half a second before I growled andtightened my grip, getting a few of his chest hairs caught up in the fabric of his T-shirt. I didn t knowshe was taken.Now I do.I noticed no one was willing to step up and defend him or tell me to back off.This crowd wassmarter than they looked. She told you to back off.What part didn t you understand? I guess I had a few too many, he muttered. Won t happen again. You re goddamn right it won t,  cause they ll have to peel me off you next time.Apologize tothe lady. Sorry, he muttered, repeating it louder when my grip on him tightened. Let s get out of here now, Jaci pleaded, tugging on my arm.I reached behind me, inching her out of the way before I hauled off and connected with a rightcross that knocked him on his ass.Mission accomplished.As the small crowd around us gaped at me,I reached for Jaci s hand. Now we can go.She ran to keep up with my long strides, whispering,  You didn t have to hit him.He said hewas sorry. I know the type, baby.A verbal warning wouldn t have been enough for a guy like that.He hadto feel it to remember it.Maybe next time he won t be so quick to try to push a girl past her limits. Hey, she said, tugging on my hand when I tried to reach for the passenger s door to open it forher. I didn t lead him on, you know.I touched her cheek. I know you didn t. I don t mean to be so defensive, she said, sinking against me. I guess I m just mad at myselffor getting into a mess like this. It happens, I said, wrapping my arms around her. Wasn t that long ago I was in college.Iremember what these parties are like. I don t usually drink so much. She flattened her palms against my chest, fixing her gaze on herruby red nails. It was stupid.I wasn t thinking clearly.I never should have I silenced her with a quick kiss. Hey, don t beat yourself up.You didn t do anything wrong.Youtrusted your friends to look out for you.You were all supposed to look out for each other.If you wantto be pissed at anyone, be pissed at them. I sure as hell was. They had more to drink than I did, she said, obviously determined to let them off the hook. They weren t thinking straight. We can deal with that tomorrow, I said, opening the door for her. For now, let s just get youhome.She gave me a quick, hard hug before she climbed into the car.Before I could close the door,she grabbed my hand. Thanks for coming tonight, Nex.I had no one else to call.I don t know what Iwould have done if you hadn t answered.I bent down on my haunches so I could look her in the eye.With a brief smile, I seized her chin. You call, I come.I have a feeling that s the way it s gonna be from now on, beautiful.Chapter SixJaciI was trying not to let Nex see how scared I was, but as he pulled into my driveway and I saw thehouse still in darkness, I couldn t stop trembling. Hey, he said, turning to face me. What is it? What s wrong? That guy&  I could barely get the words out. He, uh, went out with my roommate, Casey, acouple of times.He picked her up here, I think.So he knows where I live.What if he& ?He muttered a curse before he killed the engine and grabbed the keys [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]