“Back off,” Rylee hisses at Dan.
He doesn’t listen, lifts his hand, and pinches my dress between his fingers. I gasp, and Lawson appears between us. His brothers aren't far behind. Too fast for me to track, Dan is on the ground, and Lawson is hitting him. Bane’s arms surround me, pulling me away. Micah is standing an inch away from Dan’s friend, an evil smile gracing his gorgeous face.
“Did you call her a bitch?” Micah asks softly, lifting his chin toward Daisy.
“Fuck,” Ryker drawls.
“Mate, come here,” Quinn growls, and she moves quickly toward him.
No one is pulling Lawson away. His hands are covered in Dan’s blood. He’s not fighting back. Hunter and Remy watch their brother, their arms crossed.
“Micah,” Bash says, and I look up. The other man is on his knees. Micah isn’t touching him. “Not here.”
Whatever Micah is doing, he doesn’t stop.
“That’s a lot of blood,” Serenity mumbles, scooting around the table.
“Here,” Ryker commands. She grins but doesn’t waste time going to him.
Bash walks around the crowd, reaching Marie, and holding her close.
“Rylee, take Haven home,” Bane orders, turning me away from the unreal scene in front of me. “Now.”
“Our nights out are the best,” Sally says, grinning. “We’ll walk you out.” I notice her mates are beside her, looking at the floor calmly. “We definitely need to do this again.”
Rylee circles my waist and guides me through the club. I move easily with her, yet my body wants to stay. I barely register the cold air on my face.
“Thanks, Sally,” Rylee says.
“Anytime.” She nudges my shoulder. “Don’t worry. They won’t get hurt.” I nod. “Tomorrow night, I’ll check in. The guys will protest if we go to the club again, but we could hang out at your place sometime.” She wiggles her fingers and walks away, her mates close to her side.
“Haven, get in.” I look at her and notice she’s holding open the car door. She waits patiently as I sit slowly and slam the door. I watch her jog around the front of the car. Once she sits in the driver’s seat, she looks at me. “Are you okay? Lawson was vicious, but the guy touched you. Don’t blame him. He’s protecting his mate.”
“No one has ever defended me,” I whisper, and she jerks back.
“Fuck.” She grins slowly. “The Princess doesn’t mind a little bloodshed in her honor.”
“Apparently.” My body feels funny.
I want to reward Lawson, not condemn him.
Chapter Seven
Lawson
“He deserved it,” I grit out, staring at my hands as I wipe off the blood.
“Sure,” Bane hums.
“You know he did.” My chest is filled with rage thinking about his hands on her. “You would have done the same thing. I just got there first.”
“Uh-huh,” he mumbles.
“Don’t give me that shit,” I growl, throwing the rag on the floor. “So, Ryker was angry. I’m sure he’s shed plenty of blood defending his mate. You saw Micah.” I look at him. His elbow is propped on the driver’s side window, staring at Rylee’s home. “He used nothing but the power of his mind to incapacitate the other guy. None of you stopped me. You enjoyed seeing him suffer. He shouldn’t have touched her. I don’t care that wehaven’t completed the bond. She’s ours. I won’t apologize for defending her. Ever.”
“I know.”
“See, you agree.” I nod and lean forward to look at the building Haven is in. “Do you think I scared her?” I despise showing any weakness. Having doubt eats at my gut.
