Something tightens in my chest as I move forward, stepping between them. Derek looks up in shock, letting go of Arlo’s arm as he steps back.
“You don’t touch him. Ever.” The steel in my voice is absolute.
“Who the fuck are you?” Derek demands.
I watch his face as it morphs from coercion to fury in the space of an instant. Now we see the real Derek. Arlo does too,if the distressed look on his face is anything to go by. I’m sure Arlo’s only seen this side of Derek when they were alone.
I glance down at the iPhone Arlo is clutching tightly.
“Is that the phone you left behind?” I ask.
He nods quietly before his eyes flick to Derek, who’s watching us with narrowed eyes. Movement behind Derek catches my gaze. There’s another guy behind him. He’s young, probably around the same age as Arlo, thin with the same kind of face. Almost pretty. My stomach sinks. Jesus, not another one. It seems that Derek has a type. The fucker.
“Who the fuck is this guy, Arlo?” Derek’s face is bright red. His hands fisted at his sides. “This isn’t any of your fucking business.”
“Oh, it’s most definitely my business.”
“What the hell, Arlo? You fucking this guy. You’re such a damn slut.” Derek’s expression twists into rage.
He’s leaning forward, and I know his next move before it happens. His fist flies forward. I don’t even flinch. I know how to take a punch. Stepping back slightly, he grazes my chin, but I move with his fist and it doesn’t land like he hopes.
“My turn.” And without another word, my fist comes up and clocks him right on the jaw. Perfect placement. I didn’t even use all my strength. Derek’s knees give out and he crumbles to the ground, a stunned look on his face.
I catch sight of the guy who was standing behind him as he disappears around the corner toward the front of the building. Good. Get the hell away from this asshole.
Arlo steps up beside me, wearing a look of profound relief.
Derek gets to his feet slowly, acting as though nothing happened, but I see the wince when he moves his head too quickly. He’s wary but undeterred. A cunning smile appears on his face before he gives Arlo a triumphant look.
“You really fucked up, Arlo.” Derek sneers. “When I tell the cops how your musclebound jock here beat the shit out of a poor innocent businessman, he’ll be going to jail so damn fast his head will spin.”
I’m not afraid of this fucker, but when I open my mouth to respond, Arlo places a gentle hand on my arm.
“No, Derek. I don’t think you want the cops involved.” Arlo moves in front of me, head high, his voice steady.
“Of course, I don’t. Not as long as you come home where you belong.” Derek assures him pompously.
“No, Derek. No cops, unless you’d like me to hand them a phone full of photos, videos, and text messages documenting your abuse and controlling behavior. I wonder what they’d make of that, Derek? I doubt Tier would be the one going to jail, but by all means if you’d like to test it, give them a call.” He tells him as he holds up the iPhone in his hand.
Then it hits me. He thought he was giving Arlo something he could use to track his movements, but really he just gave him a phone full of evidence. Not Derek’s smartest move.
Arlo’s standing tall now, back straight, eyes forward. Not one bit of unease in his stance.
I want to fucking cheer, I’m so damn proud of him right now.
Derek’s eyes widen as if he can’t believe what he’s seeing. I’m sure Arlo’s never stood up to him like this before. I place my hand on his shoulder, a physical gesture of my support.
“Give me that phone. It’s my property. I’ll tell the cops you stole it.” It’s a last-ditch effort, and we all know it. Even Derek. I wait for him to try to swipe the phone from Arlo, but he hesitates, eyeing me warily. I almost wish he would, because I wouldn’t say no to taking another swing at him.
“No.” Arlo tells him with quiet determination. “I think I’ll hang on to it for now.”
I sense movement from behind me, and I know intuitively that my boys are here, backing me up. I don’t need it, but I sure as hell appreciate it.
“Need help, boss?” Diesel asks, voice firm and a bit threatening. I almost smile but now’s not the time, so I just shake my head. I’ve got this.
“You might want to rethink this, Derek.” My voice is hard as stone, and just as unyielding.
I see the exact moment he decides it’s not worth the risk. His shoulders drop. His face is furious but resigned. He pauses, then looks at Arlo.
