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"What's got you all pussy-whipped, Booth?" Lai smirks. "Don't tell me we're doing favors to the outsider now. Thought we weren't going to go easy on her?"
I know they're talking about me, and I hate that I'm eager for them to say more.
"Get. Your. Hands. Off. Her," Dex hisses again, ignoring Lai and staring straight at Julian.
They exchange glances, a silent battle ensuing between the two of them without anyone saying a word. I can feel the whole room looking at them, waiting for the explosive fight that's bound to happen any second now. If Dexter doesn't let up, Julian's going to lose it, and I can tell they're both the kind of men who are too used to getting their own way to let another guy win.
"Or else what?" Julian asks, toying with Minnie's wrist and pulling her closer.
She stumbles. Thankfully, she isn't carrying anything anymore, but her feet slip as Julian pulls her onto his lap. Two dark pink patches bloom on her cheeks and she's looking anywhere but at me, obviously ashamed of what's happening to her. I've seen enough.
I push my chair back, a look of pure fury taking over my face as I hiss, "He told you to let go of her."
Julian laughs in disbelief, cocking his head. His palm explores Minnie's thigh as I stare him down.
"What are you going to do about it, little girl?"
I know everyone in that room is waiting for my response. Whatever I do next will shape my destiny in Eden Falls. If I back down now, I'm going to be the laughing - and punching - stock of the entire town.
"Why don't you pick on someone else?" I suggest bravely, making Julian smirk. “Someone your own size, or should I say, importance.”
"Like who?"
"Like me." I cross my arms in front of my body, glaring at him. "Leave her alone. Play with me."
The entire room freezes, and I can feel everybody's eyes on me. First and foremost, Dexter's. He's pissed off as hell.
"Don't you think you need permission before you go offering yourself around like that, toy?" he hisses at me, but I don't acknowledge him, focusing all my attention on Julian.
"Let her go," I say. "Have me instead.”
"Oh, my," Julian smirks. "What an eager little toy. And I'm just supposed to assume Booth is cool with me laying claim to his untouched plaything?"
"I don't see a wedding ring on my finger yet," I shrug. "Until I’m married, I think I can do whatever I want, right?"
"Right." Julian's eyes sparkle as he shrugs, and then finally takes his hands off Mignonette. "Fine. Take her place. She's much prettier, but I like how brave you are. Will be so much fun to break you in."
"Miss Lily Anna, please," Minnie whispers. "You don't have to do this, I..."
I don't let her finish, walking closer and saying, "Get up, Minnie. Go back to the kitchens."
We stare at one another, her pleading with me to stop, me refusing to give in. Finally, she picks herself up from Julian's lap and scampers away. The jerk taps his knee, giving me an expectant look. He may be handsome as hell, but it only makes me hate him more. He could have any girl in the house tonight, yet he insists on picking the ones he can't have.
I sit down on his knee, and he pulls me in possessively. I look over the table to Dex, whose fiery eyes are aflame with anger. I'm going to pay for this later, but I don't care. I wanted to save Minnie. She deserves this even less than I do.
"Now, little Lily Anna," Julian purrs. "Why don't you tell me how you're finding Eden Falls so far?"
"It's great," I spit out sarcastically. "The people are so nice. The weather's great."
"I can tell you're really enjoying it," he mocks me. "Although maybe not quite as much as you should be. I'm sure we can fix that. What do you think, Booth? Have you made her come yet?"
Dexter glares at him, refusing to answer his intrusive question. Julian laughs in his face, and I watch my fiancé’s fingers tighten the grip on his glass.
"Maybe you can tell me, since Dex is so tongue-tied," Julian suggests. "Do you like coming, Lily Anna?"
"Her name is Pandora."
The attention of everyone in the room shifts to Dexter, who's regarding us with a cold expression.
