Maggie didn’t know what Aiden was doinguntil she heard bones snap, crackle, and pop like a bowl of cereal.Nigel howled as Aiden’s fist continued to compress on Nigel’s. Shecouldn’t suppress a gasp when she realized Aiden was crushingNigel’s hand within his grasp.
She didn’t have a chance to blink beforeNigel released her hair and Aiden swung his other hand up to punchNigel in the cheek. Blood spurted out of Nigel’s mouth, but none ofit splattered her as Aiden had somehow already moved around thebarstool to stand between her and Nigel.
His hands twisting in Nigel’s shirt, Aidenlifted him. Aiden propelled him three feet back into the wall as ifNigel weighed no more than a toddler when he had to be at least twohundred pounds. The wall shook, and plaster cracked and rained downaround them.
Releasing his shirt, Aiden thrust hisforearm up into Nigel’s throat. He lifted Nigel until his toesdangled a good foot off the ground. Wheezing for air, Nigel kickedhis heels against the wall; his face turned beet red as his eyesbugged out of his head.
Blood rushed through Aiden’s ears as theneed to kill pounded inside him and his darker urges rose to theforefront. Death. Heneededdeath and blood. Needed to feelthe life slipping away from another and the rush of their warmblood filling his mouth. He trembled with the restraint it took tokeep from destroying Nigel.
Stay in control. Don’t lose it. Not in frontof Maggie.
But this man had dared totouchher.He’d placed his hands on her, he’d pulled her hair, and he’d beenpushing her after she’d told him no.
He never should have left her alone. Herbeauty was a homing beacon to every vampire in this place, as wasthe sweet scent of her blood. But after their encounter in thebathroom, he’d needed to steady himself before seeing her again.When he’d looked up and discovered her gone, he hadn’t immediatelygone after her because he half feared he wouldn’t be able to stophimself from taking her into one of the back rooms to finish whatthey’d started.
And there was no way his first time with herwas going to be inthisplace.
When he’d finally stabilized enough to leavethe bathroom, Carha had intervened. He had to tell her whathappened outside her club. He would never return to this place forher services again, but he couldn’t make an enemy of her either—notwhile Maggie was in here, vulnerable and exposed. Carha was also agood source of information as she learned a lot of what happened inthe vampire world from the many vamps who frequented her club.
Carha’s eyes had flashed red when she’dasked him who Maggie was and what she was doing here with him. Hisconstant refusal of Carha had annoyed her; bringing Maggie hereinfuriated her. It had taken more to placate Carha than he’d liked,and this vampire had mistakenly assumed Maggie was fair game.
Aiden should have been able to controlhimself enough after the bathroom to keep her safe. He didn’t knowwho he was more furious at, himself or Nigel. Nigel’s eyes buggedfurther out of his head. His good hand tore at Aiden’s arm to pullit free, but Aiden only dug his forearm deeper into Nigel’swindpipe.
“There is no fighting inmybar!”Carha shouted from behind him.
“Nigel crossed the line,” Zeke said.
“I don’t care!” Carha spat. “I do nottolerate fighting in my place and especially not over a fuckingwoman!”
Maggie bit her lip when Carha sent her ascathing look that also somehow dared her to say something. Maggiehadn’t survived this long by running her mouth when she shouldn’t,and the whiskey hadn’t loosened her tongue enough for her to saysomething stupid. She sensed their situation was precarious, andshe’d prefer to see tomorrow.
“Aiden, let him go!” Carha barked, herattention turning back to the men.
Aiden showed no signs of releasing hishold.
“What’s going on here?” a voicedemanded.
Maggie turned to find a handsome vampirewith blond hair and hazel eyes shoving his way through the crowd.She hadn’t realized they’d gathered so many onlookers, but a circlehad formed around them. The new arrival stopped short when hereached the front of the group. His eyes flashed over all of themas he took in the situation.
“Stop him, Saxon!” Carha snapped at the newarrival.
“Aiden, let him go,” Saxon commanded.
Aiden remained rigid for a minute before hismuscles relaxed and he set Nigel on his feet. Maggie heaved a sighof relief and glanced at Zeke who gave her a wan smile. Aiden’sface was a mask of stone when he stepped to the side to let Nigelpass. His eyes followed Nigel’s every move as the wounded vamp kepthis good hand on his throat.
“You’re going to have to leave, Aiden,”Carha ordered. “Don’t come back here again for at least amonth.”
“Whore,” Nigel was brave enough to hiss atMaggie while Carha spoke.
Maggie didn’t even glance at him. Uncertainof what he would do, she didn’t want to give Aiden any indicationNigel had said something more to her. She’d been called worse inher lifetime, and the battered vampire was the least of herconcerns. Her main worry was for Aiden as she sensed he teetered ona dangerous precipice. He’d released Nigel, but his eyes stillshone the color of lava, and his chest heaved with his breaths.
She didn’t think anyone else had heardNigel, but Saxon’s eyes flashed toward Nigel as Aiden chargedforward.
“Idiot,” Saxon hissed.
CHAPTER 19
Unwilling to attack Nigel with his backturned, Aiden grabbed his shoulder and spun him around beforedriving his fist into Nigel’s face. The scent and sticky feel ofthe blood bursting over him provoked his bloodlust, and he gaveinto the ever-present brutality coursing through his veins.
