That got Rogue’s attention and not in a good way.
He slammed his glass on the table. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
Addison scoffed. “I spent time with Quinn downstairs. I felt her guilt and regret for whatever involvement she had with Knox. Anyone with half a heart could sense it.” She shouted. “Which tells me everything I need to know about the kind of person and man you are. I’m a total stranger to Quinn and I have more compassion for her than her own goddamn husband.”
The room fell silent. People feared Rogue when he was loud and threatening. But as someone who had known him for a long time, that’s not when he was at his most dangerous. It was when he was quiet. Rogue slowly rose and Trey stepped in between them. Quinn rushed to his side, grabbing his hand but his glare was locked on Addison.
“Get her outta here, Cross,” Ace said, and Cross lifted her off her feet, turning toward the exit. His brothers formed a barrier of protection. When they got to the landing, he set her down, gently guiding her to the stairs. They were almost in the clear.
“I’ll be seeing you again, Addison.” Rogue’s calm tone had Cross’s muscles tightened.
That was a threat.
An uncontrollable rage and protectiveness came over Cross. No one threatened his woman. He swiftly turned but was met with Cypher and Cue blocking him.
“Get out of here.” Cypher snapped, pushing against his chest. “For Addison.”
Cross didn’t budge until he felt her hand clasp his. She tugged on his arm and he slowly backed away keeping his eyes locked on Rogue.
This wasn’t over.
Chapter Twenty-Four
I fucked-up.
It hadn’t felt like that in the moment. Addison was driven by her emotions. Tensions were already running high when Cross and the club arrived. Had they left immediately, it could’ve been avoided but obviously, Rogue had an agenda. She was still reeling from her outburst. Usually, she was non-confrontational and could ignore most assholes. But she wasn’t prepared for Rogue’s level of cruelty. How heartless could one person be?
Still, her actions had caused a domino effect. Addison hadn’t realized it until Rogue mentionedseeing her again. That seemed to spark something in Cross. His features shifted and she recognized the anger right away.
Cross pushed open the steel door that led into the parking lot, holding tightly to her hand.
“You okay to drive? I’ll be right behind you.”
“I’m sorry,” she muttered.
Cross stopped at her car. “For what?”
“Back there.” She gestured to the nightclub. “I could’ve handled it differently. I made it worse, didn’t I?”
Cross grasped her jaw and leaned closer. “No, you didn’t. He did.”
She shook her head, but he tightened his hold. “That’s on him. Not you.”
“He doesn’t think so.” She cleared her throat, inching closer. “That wholesee you againcomment. That was a threat, right?”
Cross’s jaw squared. “He’s not gonna touch you. I wouldn’t let him.”
So, it was a threat. She closed her eyes and his thumbs caressed over her cheeks.
“Look at me.”
She opened her eyes, glancing up.
“Everything you said was on point. And everyone up there with the exception of Rogue, fucking knows it. Trust me, right?”
She nodded.
His mouth spread into a small smile. “Then don’t worry about him. I’ll handle that.”
