“Look,” he starts. “We’re just getting to know each other, right, babe?” He smiles at her, and I’m done playing nice.
Grabbing the back of his neck, I slam his face off the table. His arm finally loses its hold from around Mila, and it makes me smile when he yells.
“Fuck! You broke my nose, asshole!” he cries, holding his face as blood starts pouring out between his fingers.
“Kash! Stop it!” Mila shouts as she tries to slide around the other side of the circular booth.
“I see you didn’t wait for me after all,” Seth drawls behind me. “You’re all dumbasses.” He looks between me and Richie, shaking his head. “Dumbasses.”
Giving Seth a quick look, I hand him my keys and nod toward Mila. “Took you long enough. Take her outside. I’ll be there in a minute.”
“Yep. Just don’t do anything too stupid,” he warns, reaching for Mila’s hand to help her up.
“God! You are impossible, Kash,” she fumes, shrugging out of Seth’s hold. “I can walk myself, just so you know.” She glares at him and walks past unsteadily.Great. She’s plastered.Seth follows behind, holding his arm out to steady her.
GrabbingRichie'sshirt, I yank him closer to me. “I’m going to break more than your nose if I ever find you speaking to her again. Do you understand me? She ismine,” I growl.
He must see the promise in my expression because his eyes widen with fear. “Okay. Fuck. She was by herself when we got here, man. Take it easy.”
“Good. I’m glad we understand each other.” I pat his shoulder and move to go get my girl. I’ve almost made it from the booth when I hear it.
“Stupid fucking thug.”
Turning back toward him, I watch all the color drain from his face. The music is still playing loudly, but I heard that clear as day. I am so tired of being seen as a thug because of my size and tattoos. Fuck this guy. Grabbing ahold of his neck again, I slam his face off the table a second time and grin widely when he shouts.
“Sorry. I just wanted to be sure your nose was really broken. Us thugs can never be too sure.” I shove him back and slide out of the booth, leaving him a crying mess.
Glancing around for his buddies, I don’t find them anywhere.Pussies.No one stops me when I head for the exit, even though I know for a fact the security guard by the bar saw what I just did. He shakes his head but gives me a smile and a nod. Cool, guess I’m not going to jail just yet.
The night air is crisp when I make it to the parking lot. Seth has Mila in my car, her head resting on the window.
“Well, I don’t see any blood on you, so that’s a plus. I guess you didn’t murder him then?” he deadpans.
“No. But I can happily guarantee his nose is broken. Actually, it might be broken in more than one spot.”
“You guys have serious issues, you know that?” He shakes his head. “This is the last time I do this. For any of you. Pull your shit together,” he warns, turning on his heel and heading for his own car.
“You know you love me, Sethy!” I shout at his retreating form. He doesn’t respond but gives me the finger as he walks away. He loves me. I know he does.
Climbing into my car, I glance at Mila, fully prepared for her anger. I’m surprised when I find her sad instead.
Her voice is small when she starts, “You couldn’t help yourself, could you?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“How’d you know where I was?”
Somehow, I don’t think she’s going to like the knowledge that I put a tracking app on her phone, so instead, I change the subject. “I had a feeling.”
She snorts, then gives me a disbelieving look. “Sure Kash.”
“I did and it looks like I was right. Why were you here, Mila? It’s not safe to come to a place like this alone. You better not have been looking to hook up. Do you want to explain to me what you were doing,myMila.”
“Oh my God, would you stop with that?” She looks at me in exasperation.
“Never. Answer my question, Mila. I want to know why you were with that guy when I know damn well you watched me jerk my cock and shout your name just a few hours ago. Am I not good enough for you?” I ask, almost dreading her answer.
I can’t admit it, but it’s my biggest fear. Mila doesn’t need me in her life. She’s a successful business owner, comes from a good family,and has people that love her. I wasn’t even enough to make my mom stay. Mila doesn’t need me, but I want her toneedme. I want her tochooseme.
