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It’s not even a compliment yet it’s making me blush. God, everyone’s been so insulting to me here in Eden Falls even the smallest of niceties gets me going these days.
“So let’s hear it for the happy couple!” my father finishes with a flourish just as a figure appears on the doorstep.
My father’s eyes narrow and he puts the microphone down, advancing on the familiar boy standing in the door frame.
“What the hell are you doing here?” my father hisses at him.
“I came to see if you were actually going to go through with this… moment of madness,” Dexter grinds out, giving me a long look that makes my chest, neck and arms flush with embarrassment.
It’s like he thinks this is my fault. Like I’m the one who’s supposed to convince my father he should let me marry Dexter instead. Why on earth would I want to marry my bully? Easton is the better choice. The safer choice.
Still, the intensity of Dex’s gaze makes me avert my eyes, and I feel the shame of it all burning me from deep within.
“Let me handle this,” Easton speaks up from behind me, gently touching my waist before advancing before my father and crossing his path before he’s reached Dex. “What are you doing here, Booth?”
“Getting what’s fucking mine,” Dexter snarls in reply. “This doesn’t concern you, Brantley. We all know you’re just a fucking puppet. A way for this clown to prove he’s still in control.”
“I’m no goddamn clown,” my father roars to life. “And I won’t allow you to make such statements in my home, Booth. There’s a reason you weren’t invited tonight. Now get the hell out.”
“You don’t want to do this,” Dex warns him. “You don’t want to start a war.”
My father hesitates, knowing my ex-fiancé is right. But Easton takes advantage of the lull in the conversation, approaching Dexter and shoving him back.
“I think you’ve overstayed your welcome here, Booth,” Easton tells him loud enough for the whole room to hear – not that he needs more attention on what’s happening, because everybody is already watching what’s going on.
“I don’t think you get to decide that,” Dex throws out, shoving him back. “And don’t you dare lay your filthy fucking paws on me. Do you even know who you’re dealing with?”
“A fucking momma’s boy who can’t get over his dead parents being gone?” Easton asks innocently.
I take a sharp intake of breath. I can’t believe he went that far. Now I’m genuinely afraid for him. Dexter’s going to turn him into fucking pulp.
“You did not just say that,” Dex says calmly. “Take it the fuck back.”
“Make me,” Easton laughs out loud. “Or better yet, just get fucking lost. Nobody wants you here.”
Dexter’s eyes go over Easton’s shoulder, connecting with mine. His gaze isn’t asking for me to do anything, just silently checking whether I agree with Easton’s statement. My stomach is tied into painful knots, and I stare back at Dex, I wonder what he sees in my eyes, because even I don’t know how I feel anymore.
“Fight me,” Dex suddenly says to Easton. “Fight me for her.”
“What?” Easton laughs nervously. “Fight you for… Pandora?”
“That’s right,” Dex snarls. “Unless you already know I’m going to beat your fucking ass. In which case the door’s right over there, kid.”
Easton hesitates, making Dex laugh out loud and taunt him even more. I’m nervous as fuck, and even my father seems worried, motioning to one of the security guards he’s hired for the party to keep an eye on things.
Suddenly, Easton steps forward and shoves Dexter hard, sending him flying into a waiter carrying a platter of champagne flutes. Glass shatters everywhere, one of the shards hitting Dex in the face and sending a red rivulet of blood running down his chiseled cheek.
“You’re going to fucking regret that,” Dexter tells Easton calmly, touching his fingertips to the dark red blood and flicking off the droplets of it.
Then, he’s on him. I watch him beat down on Easton and only moments later do I realize my voice is the one screaming for help. But Dexter doesn’t need any help – it’s Easton who’s in trouble, since he’s no match for the taller, stronger boy who’s beating on him now.
“Father, help him!” I cry out even though my heart is telling me to take care of Dex, not worry about Easton.
But I’m honestly worried if someone doesn’t break this up, Dexter’s going to fucking kill Easton Brantley.
It takes a group of three security guards to get Dexter off my new fiancé. By then, Dexter’s knuckles are bleeding and Easton has taken a bad beating, groaning at the ground as he clutches the side of his face.
I feel like I’m watching someone else’s life play out before my eyes. As Dexter is dragged off, I realize father will never let me be with him again.
