Wesley didn’t bother fighting with honor. He dodged Billy’s attempted blow and instead grabbed him by the arm, using Billy’s own momentum to twist him around and slam his head down on the bar on top of a row of shots.
“You hit the wrong man,” Wesley said into his ear, as drinks went flying, glass shattered and angry shouts went up.
“What the fuck?” someone snarled. “This was a new suit!”
Wesley had to dodge again as a different fist came flying his way. And all at once the mix of alcohol and angry men exploded in a whirl of shouts and fists. Wesley lost sight of Sebastian as the crowd closed in, shoving and swinging.
Some distant part of Wesley registered that he probably owed Rory an apology.
He needed to find Arthur, or even better, Jade with her telekinesis and Sasha with her superstrength. He pushed through the fight, twisting around a pair of men locked together like wrestlers, dodging a drunken want-to-be boxer—
Only to come face-to-face with Billy again, who had blood on his face and a knife in hand.
“Gonna hit the right man this time.” Billy was already bringing the knife up—
And Wesley’s knees gave out like they were suddenly made of water. He and Billy both hit the Magnolia floor, the knife tumbling out of Billy’s hand and rolling off.
It couldn’t be—
But before Wesley could process the sensation, or really even blink, his limbs were his own again.
“The fuck was that?” Billy started, already twisting on the floor in the direction of the knife.
Wesley leapt to his feet and kicked the knife toward the bar. Billy cursed, but as he grabbed for Wesley’s foot, a different, even larger boot landed on Billy’s chest and held him down.
“Don’t even think about it.” Arthur looked over at Wesley, holding Billy captive under his foot. “Did you just start a brawl in Jade’s bar?” he demanded, as men fought around them.
Wesley huffed. “It wasn’t actually my intent—”
“Someone will have called the cops by now.” Arthur pointed at Wesley, then back at himself. “We are not going to let them raid the Magnolia. Wipe your face, dust off your poshest voice, and then you and I are going outside to handle the police.”
“All right.” There was something wet on Wesley’s cheek, likely from where he’d hit the floor. Best not to think about what it might be. “But this cad under your foot,” he said, as he wiped his cheek. “I want him thrown in the dock.”
“Wesley.”
“Drawn and quartered.”
“This is not feudal England,Lord Fine, these are not your peasants—”
“He laid hands on Sebastian.”
Arthur stilled.
“He drew blood,” Wesley said, “from Sebastian, who has no way to defend himself anymore, because he gave up his magic to save my life.”
Arthur frowned.
“Let me up, you fucking nancies,” Billy snapped, from under Arthur’s foot. “You mad I hit yourboyfriend? Cops probably wanna hear aboutthat.”
Arthur’s eyes narrowed. “New plan. First, I have a word with this gentleman. Then we bring him out with us to give to the police and pin this whole mess on him.”
“I love a perfect plan,” Wesley said.
Chapter Four
Rory was the one who pulled Sebastian out of the speakeasy. “Wait,” Sebastian protested, as Rory steered him into a back hall. “I should help—”
“Nope.” Rory tugged him toward the door at the end of the hall. “Between Jade and Sasha, they’re gonna have the place locked down in a couple of minutes.”
