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Instead, I whisper, harsh and slow, “He thinks you belong to him, and that right there, Beauty... so fuckin’ wrong.”
“You need to open your eyes, Captain,” she hisses, a strain to her tone I can’t quite interpret, and my mouth twists. “And when he called me his, you should have done or said something that showed otherwise.”
I push my frustration down and attempt to spin this in my favor.
“Did I confuse you?” My smirk is as measured as her scowl. “I said you’re not his, but you’re sure as fuck not mine.”
Her scoff is easy and mocking as she pushes to her feet, my eyes raising with her.
She rubs her lips together.
“Fine,” she forces out. “I’ll play maid, like your brother wants me to. Serve the man, and then, I don’t know...” She trails off as she shrugs, shuffling backward a few small steps. “Serve the man.”
I’m on my feet, tugging her into me in the same second. My glare is heavy, fingers twitching against her spine.
And she giggles, freezing me on the spot.
It’s a soft, open sound I’ve never heard, one that reaches deeper than it should, driving even farther as ever so slowly, rich brown eyes, almost a brassy, bright copper lift to mine.
I’m struck, stuck standing powerless as every part of her dives beyond the surface of me.
A small smile finds her lips and she melts against me, the room around us falling away.
I tell myself to let her go and walk away, get some fuckin’ space between us, but my muscles won’t move.
She’s gorgeous and I hate it.
“You can try to deny me with your words, Cap,” she whispers. “But your body knows the truth, and your mind will never allow such a lie.”
My stomach twists, a hollowness taking over and making me nauseous, ‘cause, fuck me, she might be right.
She shuffles her feet, and my hand falls to my side.
My eyes follow as she walks away, each step heavier, more forced than the last. She doesn’t want to go to him.
I should bring her back.
To me.
I stand there staring as she begins making a drink for some asshole when she’s the one who should be served.
I glance at the dickhead who watches her every move, a frown written across his forehead as he waits for her to meet his eyes, but she doesn’t.
She shifts with lax movements, but she’s on edge. Unsure.
Why?
He gives a subtle shake of his head when she gives him her back, reaching for a bottle of something.
Raven walks over, but I can’t look away.
She steps up beside me. “Cap.”
“I gotta get the fuck outta here.”
She’s getting in my head... or maybe it’s the alcohol.
Dickhead says something that has her pausing, and ever so slowly, her palms plant on the countertop, and she lifts her eyes to his. A small grin, fuckin’ tiny grin forms on her lips and my blood boils.
Yeah. I gotta go. Now.
Maddoc and Royce spot me cutting across the room and beeline for me, their quick steps gaining Victoria’s attention.
She sets the bottle down, boldly staring.
“I’m out.” I keep walking. I don’t have to tell them to keep her in line, they already know.
I make my way to the door, and just as quick as my feet carry me, Victoria is at my side.
“I didn’t ask you to come with me.”
“I live with you. I don’t need an invitation.”
I spin quick, forcing her back into the doorframe.
“No, but you do need permission,” I snap.
“So give it to me,” she damn near begs, dropping her head to the metal behind it. “I don’t want to be here, don’t need to be if you aren’t. Take me home, Captain.”
The double intent in her tone has my groin heating, but I fight against myself to push it away. It would be so easy to give in, but easy is for pussies and she doesn’t deserve the power of rendering me weak.
In my peripheral, I spot Mike focused on us, so I turn to face him head-on, leaning in close and refusing to inhale her scent.
My fingers stretch wide at her side, and I slowly slide them up her ribs. Finally, his eyes lift from where I’m touching her body, meeting mine.
He’s a bold fuck, holds my gaze for a solid five seconds, before he finally cuts his head away.
I bring my mouth to Victoria’s ear.
“No,” I snap. “You stay, he’s your mess. You think you’re strong enough to be Bray, let’s see it. Make him disappear.” I pull back, glaring down at her. “But touch him, and I’ll shatter his knuckles, he touches you, it’s a bat to the kneecaps.”
Her lips pull to the side, and she pushes against me, causing my frown to deepen.
“You want him gone?” she whispers, leaning in only to slip away in the same second. She cocks her head, walking backward as she gives a single, hard blink. “Handle him yourself. He wouldn’t listen to me anyway, Brayshaw or not, but believe me when I say, Mike? He doesn’t belong here.”
