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“No, it’s okay, I need to get home. My mom is watching Matson for me so I could come talk to you.”
I turned and gave her one last quick kiss on the lips before grabbing her hand. “Okay. I’ll walk you out.”
I led her out of the office and into the chaos of the bar. Derek’s gaze instantly met mine from across the room, and I stopped short in surprise before Sofia slammed into my back. “Sorry, angel.”
Derek’s narrowed gaze trailed down to my hand, still linked with Sofia’s, and his expression shifted from angry to downright murderous. My protective instincts kicked into overdrive as Sofia’s grip on me tightened.
As Derek worked his way through the crowd toward us, I squared my shoulders, keeping my body as a buffer between his and hers. There was no way in hell I was letting him anywhere near her. When he got close enough to talk, I put out my hand to stop him.
“What are you doing here?” Sofia’s voice blew past my ear, and Derek’s mouth formed a devilish grin.
“I didn’t know you would be here, Sofia.” His gaze flicked between her face and mine, as if he wasn’t sure which one of us to maintain eye contact with. “I came here to talk to Ryan. But if you’re here fucking around with him, then who is watching our son? Where’s Matson? Who has him, your mom? Hasn’t she done enough to help you over the years? You can’t even raise our kid properly. Can’t you do anything right?”
“That’s enough,” I snapped, searching the room for my brothers. Frank’s gaze met mine and he raised an eyebrow in question. I gave him a slight shrug in response, knowing that he’d keep an eye on the situation as it unfolded.
“Or what, Ryan? You going to threaten me again?”
He rolled his eyes and something seemed . . . not quite right, like he was on something. Not that I had a lot of experience with people on drugs, aside from the few who came into the bar sometimes, but he seemed off somehow.
“I might,” I ground out, my jaw tight.
“Why did you come here?” Sofia asked again, peeking out from behind my shoulder.
“I told you. I came to talk to your boyfriend.”
“What about?” I asked, clearly annoyed. “And as you can see, I’m a little busy.” I waved my hand around the packed bar.
His laughter sounded demented. “So you’re too busy for me, but you’re not too busy for her. I see how it is. Not a wise move, Ryan Fisher. Not a wise move at all.”
He knew my full name. I guessed it wouldn’t have been that hard to figure out once he knew where I worked, but I was still a little weirded out by it. I was actually more concerned that he showed up here at the bar, though.
“I think you should leave.” My voice dropped to a dangerous low rumble, and I sensed Sofia stiffen behind me.
“Do we have a problem here?” Frank appeared at my side, a towel and glass in hand.
“I was just asking Derek here to leave.”
“Doesn’t look like he was listening,” Frank said to me, and I held back my grin as we continued to talk around Derek like he wasn’t even there.
“Sure doesn’t,” I said, keeping my voice light.
“Did you ask nicely, Ryan?”
“I asked plenty nice.”
“Maybe you hurt his feelings,” Frank said playfully, not looking at Derek.
I shrugged. “He might be hard of hearing.”
“Hate when that happens.” Frank finally turned toward Derek. “Are you going to leave willingly, or would you like some help getting tossed on your ass out of my bar?” Frank took a step toward him, no longer playing around, and Derek threw his hands in the air.
“I’ll go. For now.” He pointed a finger at me. “This isn’t over. And next time I tell you I want to talk to you, you better make time to listen.” He turned to walk away.
“Don’t fucking threaten me,” I yelled at his back before adding, “And stay the hell away from Sofia.”
He stopped, faced us, and mouthed the word no before turning away and walking out the door.
“Who the hell was that?” Frank asked.
