She uses her bag to smash him in the side, but it’s not enough.
Alec’s a big guy, a hockey player for fuck’s sake, so there’s no way Denver can defend herself against the asshole.
Heart pounding, we ignore the “don’t step on the grass” signs and race over the quad.
I hear a yelp of pain but am relieved to note that it sounds masculine, not feminine.
Alec shouts, “Look, you need to talk to your dad about this situation.”
Shay and I share a look—her dad… the Veronian.
Fuck. This is so shady.
“About what?” Denver demands.
“Just bring up Dyers and me to him. I know you won’t let this drop, but he can explain why you need to.”
“What did he offer you?”
Alec frowns. “What are you talking about?”
“He’s obsessed with Zach taking it all the way to the NHL. Always has been. What did he offer you to make sure that happens? It’s why you’ve been so hard on him, right? I should have figured it out sooner but?—”
“What were you thinking, Alec?! Are you okay?” Shay growls, not giving much of a fuck about their conversation.
Unlike me.
That Denver has her wires crossed tells me she’s not a Veronian.
Shay leaps into the fray faster than I can, grabbing Denver’s arm and dragging her away from Alec while I ponder what we just witnessed.
Denver, full of expected unease, grows more concerned at our presence and takes refuge next to me.
Her attention flickers between us and Alec as if it’s beginning to register that she might have been in danger. “Thanks for checking in with me, but I’m fine.”
“Shay, she’s scared. Do something.” I gently brush her arm. “You’re fine now, Denver.”
Shay falls into one of the many positions Brennan taught us—light on his feet, hands ready to attack.
“Just butt out,” Alec bites off. “This has nothing to do with you, O’Donnelly!”
“It’s okay, Victoria, Denver. I’ll deal with this.”
Shay rolls up his sleeves, ignoring Denver when she croaks, “Honestly, it’s fine?—”
“It isn’t,” Shay scorns. “If you want to go, you can.”
Sensing her fear, I nod at her, hoping to ease her discomfort. It works because she shoots me a thankful smile and rushes back to the quad.
Finally, we’re alone and Alec’s mask, never fixed in place that well, drops.
“What the fuck are you doing, Victoria?”
“You’re the one harassing women in public,” I reason, placing a hand on Shay’s shoulder to calm him down.
Making a mental note to tell Brennan they need to grapple during the Thanksgiving break to burn off some steam, I tune in when Alec snarls, “This has nothing to do with you.”
“It has everything to do with me. I’m friends with Denver—”I will be soon.“—and I’m not about to let you bully her because Derek Dyers is a Veronian who doesn’t understand the word no!”
