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“No.”

I try to pull his hands away, but his grip is too strong.

I don’t like this. I really don’t like this. I’m used to high-pressure situations, so I’m about to stamp on his foot and make a scene before...

“Get your hands off her.”

That deep voice is unmistakable.

He’s here. A shadow in the bright neon lights and upbeat music. A vampire swooping in, eyes cold.

Fabien.

He’s here. He’s here. He’s here.

He’s beside me, with his stare cutting through the man, and I am suddenly spiraling in fear and the strangest sense of relief.

The dancer shrugs at Fabien.

Bad move.

My pulse quickens. I try to say his name, to beg him not to escalate, but...

“You’re her boyfriend or something?” the dancer scowls at Fabien, his hands still gripping my hips.

Fabien’s hand, like lightning, grabs his wrist.

“She’s mine.”

Oh.

Everything seems to stop. The music. The dancing. The movement.

My breath.

The two words come from deep inside Fabien. A threat and a stamp of ownership all in one. It’s shameful how thrilling those two words are. Even after everything, he’s choosing me.

And the dancer wisely sees the violence in Fabien’s eyes. He sees he’s dealing with a force beyond him.

He sees a man who will stop at nothing.

And immediately, he lets go of me and backs away into the crowd.

I’m frozen to the spot, my heart beating wildly, as Fabien turns to me.

“I think it’s time for you to leave, Jolie. With me. Now.”

19

JOLIE

I don’t even get the chance to see Elise or Sylvie on the way out of the club. Fabien marches out in front of me, his cold command still echoing in my head.

I think it’s time for you to leave, Jolie. With me. Now.

He’s parked illegally at the curb right outside the front entrance to the club. He clearly doesn’t give a fuck about parking laws.

He stands at the passenger door, opening it up for me, but I refuse to get in, crossing my arms and staring him down.