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It was a violent encounter and Luca didn’t seem to be doing more than trying to defend himself. I didn’t actually see him throw a punch.
I shouted Vaughn’s name a couple of times, but he completely ignored me. King finally intervened, but Vaughn turned on him instead.
“Get your fucking hands off me!” he snarled as his rabid eyes remained on his brother.
“He’s had enough, Vaughn!” King said.
“I’ll say when it’s enough!” Vaughn responded. “You’re no longer my brother!” he bit out, then his eyes were on King, then Con. “We’re no longer family!”
“Vaughn, it was his—” Luca began, but Vaughn hit him hard.
“Shut the fuck up! Don’t tell me it was his fucking choice because you guilted him into it!”
When Vaughn slammed his fist into King’s face, I felt the tears start to fall.
“Vaughn,” I said softly, though I knew he wouldn’t hear me. Con moved away from me and toward the struggling men. All four men began shouting so loud at one another that I knew I’d never be able to get Vaughn’s attention. I looked around desperately, then grabbed a large sculpture that looked like a green rock. It was heavier than I would have thought, but I didn’t care. I also didn’t care what punishment damaging it would earn me.
I pulled my arm back and with every ounce of strength I had, I let the thing fly. I’d expected it to just make a hole in the window and figured the breaking glass would make enough of a sound to be heard. But to my horror, the entire floor-to-ceiling window shattered and the sound was deafening as glass flew. Fortunately, none of the glass hit me or any of the other men.
There was a beat of silence as we all looked at the window.
And then everyone was looking at me.
Luca’s face was covered in cuts and bruises and his lip was bleeding.
King had a fresh bruise on his cheek.
Con and Vaughn both seemed unhurt.
“James,” I whispered as my eyes met Vaughn’s.
“Get out,” he practically snarled, but I knew he wasn’t talking to me. His eyes never left mine as the other men silently left the room. I didn’t look at them.
I had eyes only for him.
He was looking at me like Luca had the night before when I’d first spied him on the porch…
Predatory.
That was the word.
But unlike with Luca, I wasn’t scared.
I was… ready.
“James,” I repeated, my voice low.
His strides were long and sure as he approached me. His hands came up to encircle my neck. I raised my hands to hold onto his wrists.
But not to try and stop him.
No, because I instinctively knew I’d need something to hang onto.
“You came for me,” I said as I met his eyes.
“Always,” Vaughn said, his voice still sounding harsh, but not because he was angry. He held my eyes for a moment, then his mouth was on mine.
Despite his anger or desperation or whatever it was that had driven him to let his fists fly with his brother and friends, his kiss was incredibly gentle. I’d expected him just to take what he wanted, and I’d prepared myself for the onslaught.
But his mouth was so soft and the kiss was short. A quick press of his mouth against mine.
Then another.
And another.
Over and over he kissed me and every time caused something inside of me to build, explode, then start to build again. His hands were firm on my neck, but it was his head that moved as he took my mouth at different angles. His beard tickled just the littlest bit, but there was nothing funny about it. If anything, it just made the sensation more vibrant.
It was an assault on my senses but in the best way ever.
Vaughn pulled his mouth from mine and kissed the corner, then began peppering my cheek, jaw, and chin with little kisses. I was sure my nails would leave half-moon marks on his skin because I was holding onto his wrists so hard.
“James,” I breathed when he kissed me softly again.
He pressed his forehead against mine. “I was so fucking scared, Aleks.”
“I’m sorr—”
“Don’t be sorry,” he said before I could get the entire word out. “Just swear to me that you won’t ever walk out on me like that again.”
I nodded frantically. “I swear I won’t, James… I just…”
“What?” he murmured.
I opened my eyes. I could see that his were closed. He was still clinging to me, but I knew if I’d wanted him to release me, I would have just had to pull back a little.
“It had to be my choice to come here and I knew it was one of the few you wouldn’t let me make.”
He nodded against me. “Not safe,” he muttered.
“You’ll keep me safe,” I whispered, then I took a chance and pressed my mouth to his. He moaned, and I felt a thrill go through me that I’d done that to him. But when his tongue suddenly licked along the seam of my mouth, I jumped in surprise and broke the contact.
