Page 53 of Anton

Does she pay attention to her surroundings at all? Would she notice someone approaching from behind or know how to break free if they grabbed her? What would she do if a man decided he wanted her and didn’t care how loud she screamed? Has her useless family taught her anything, or did they spend all their time locking her behind gates and convincing themselves that counted as protection?

And why the fuck doesn’t she have a bodyguard on her at all times?

A waitress brings over a tall drink, sets it in front of her, and walks away. Thora immediately returns to her phone, oblivious to everything around her.

Then a man approaches her table. He says something, and when she looks up at him, she smiles.

My pulse kicks hard. Who the hell is that?

He steps closer, and she laughs. My grip tightens around the handlebar as he keeps her attention, drawing out a smile from her, then another. The longer I watch, the more something stabs into me.

Did she fuck him? Is that why she’s smiling like that?

My jaw locks as he makes it to the edge of her table, way too close. Didn’t she believe me when I told her I’d kill any man who touched her? Or does she need a demonstration?

Dark amusement bleeds through my anger as I swing my leg off the bike, my mouth curving while I make my way toward the entrance.

Time to introduce myself.

THORA

As soon as I lower myself into the booth, goose bumps trail along my arms, that strange feeling of being watched taking over me. I glance out the window, scanning the row of cars in the lot, but nothing looks off enough to explain why my stomach keeps tightening.

I’m being ridiculous. Anton isn’t here. He’s not actually stalking me. He was probably just saying that to get under my skin, because apparently that’s one of his favorite hobbies.

“Here you go.”

The waitress sets my chocolate milkshake in front of me before heading back toward the counter. I take a sip and open my phone to check my social media messages when a familiar voice pulls me away.

“Hey, Thora.”

I glance up as Boone approaches my booth, an easy grin spreading across his face.

“Nice seeing you here. Guess we had the same idea.” He nods toward my milkshake. “I was just about to order one.”

A laugh slips out. “I didn’t know you drank milkshakes with all the working out you do.”

“Glad you noticed.” He winks and steps closer, flexing his bicep with far too much confidence.

Oh God. I didn’t mean it like that.

“So, are you heading back to the farm, or are you going home for the night?”

“Home to change. I have a date in an hour.”

“Oh, that’s nice.” I manage a polite smile, unsure what else to say.

“Yeah, well…” He lifts one shoulder. “I have to take what I can get since the woman I actually want doesn’t feel the same.”

Heat crawls up my face. “I’m sure you’ll survive.”

“I’ll try.”

The door opens, and when I glance over, Anton is standing at the entrance with his glare fixed directly on me.

My heart gives a violent kick.

Boone keeps talking, but his words fade beneath the rush in my ears as Anton advances toward us, looking ready to tear him apart for standing too close. He shoulders past Boone and drops into the booth beside me, winding an arm around my shoulders and hauling me firmly against his side until every thought in my head scatters. I stare at him in disbelief, but his attention never leaves Boone, who appears every bit as stunned as I feel.