Page 19 of Monster. Me.

"Yeah. But they lied. Please—"

I try reaching for him again, but Wilhelm smacks my hand with the baton, catching my knuckles dead on.

That hurts like hell.

A low grunt escapes me.

And then…

Beautiful Marlow steps forward and yanks the baton right out of Wilhelm's hand.

Oh.

Wow.

I definitely wasn't expecting that.

Judging by the look on Wilhelm's face, neither was he.

"Stop it," Marlow hisses. "He didn't do anything wrong. He just wants to talk. You don't have to beat him like an animal, you idiot!"

Wilhelm's expression hardens as his usual attitude returns.

"Stay out of this, varia," he growls, reaching for the baton, but that turns out to be a lot harder than he expected.

Marlow slips neatly out of the way. The movement is shockingly quick and smooth.

"You're not hitting him again," he says firmly, narrowing those incredible eyes and lifting his chin in challenge.

He’s beautiful, breathtaking!

He's got at least two inches on Wilhelm, who isn't exactly the biggest or strongest alpha around here.

"Oh yeah?" Wilhelm grumbles. "And what are you gonna do about it? This isn't your business."

Marlow frowns.

Wilhelm lunges for the baton again, but there's absolutely no chance.

Marlow is simply too fast.

He keeps sliding effortlessly out of Wilhelm's reach with such ridiculous agility that I almost want to whistle. This guy has to know some kind of next-level jujitsu or something.

The whole thing starts looking downright comical, Wilhelm hopping around trying to catch him while Marlow casually slips away with a faint smile every time.

It's a masterclass in dexterity.

I can't help but watch the way his lean body moves. A shiver runs through me. Beneath his shirt, I can make out perfectly defined abs, the outline of shapely thighs, and a pert ass through his jeans…

Seriously. The man is perfection in motion and appearance.

Eventually Marlow seems to get bored with the game. He lets out an exaggerated yawn and says,

"Give me thirty seconds with him, and I'll give you your precious baton back."

Wilhelm scowls and snaps, "You’re not gonna stand here and tell me what to do."

"Then you’re not taking him anywhere until I get my thirty seconds."