Page 34 of Knot What I Expected

“No.”

My voice comes out low enough that nobody hears me.

Gabriella turns to move farther down the bar.

Good.

Walk away, Honey Girl.

But the fucker isn’t done.

He says something else.

Louder this time.

I still can’t make out the words, but I don’t fucking need to.

I see Gabriella’s shoulders stiffen. I see the way her chin lifts. See that polite smile disappear.

And something dark and possessive twists through me so fucking fast I almost welcome it.

Monster doesn’t give a fuck about rules.

Doesn’t care that she isn’t ours.

Doesn’t give one shit that I have absolutely no right to interfere.

A growl starts deep in my chest.

Threat.

He’s ordering a drink, I tell him.

Liar.

My jaw clenches.

He hasn’t touched her, I remind myself.

But Monster is there, and the Wolf chimes in without hesitation.

Yet.

He hasn’t touched her yet.

Fuck.

That nearly does me in. Because suddenly I’m imagining him reaching across that bar.

Touching her hand.

Her arm.

Putting one filthy fucking finger against all that golden skin.

My vision sharpens.

The sounds in the bar fade beneath the rush of blood in my ears.