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“He can’t just do this to you,” Mario ground out.
“Yet he did,” Sofi couldn’t help her reply that she directed at Austin. He’d shown no fear at the sight of her enraged brothers, but at Sofi’s words he flinched.
“Let him go, Mario,” Sofi said in a strained voice, unsure how much longer she had until she collapsed, physically and emotionally. Her safe place, her best friend, the love of her life . . . she began shaking once more and had to suppress those thoughts.
“Sof, I can’t . . . ” Mario began.
But Sofi uttered, “Please.”
And she watched as her brother’s grip went slack.
“You are a piece of worthless . . . ” Sofi ignored the rest of Mario’s words as she turned and headed toward the door. Now that neither Austin nor her brothers were in danger of bodily harm, she could leave. The heat of the place was suddenly stifling. She could barely see, hear, feel anything. Her body felt like it was slowly detaching from her consciousness and even as the feeling scared her, Sofi welcomed the reprieve she was getting from the overwhelming pain that had started when she’d seen Austin walk into the bar with that woman.
Sofi stumbled as she neared the door and felt a strong hand grip her arm to keep her from falling. She turned, expecting to see one of her brothers, but when she saw the face she adored the most instead . . .
She jerked back, shaking off Austin’s grip as the tears began to race down her cheeks. She’d be sobbing in about thirty seconds and she had to get out of there. Away from him.
Sofi finally made her way outside, breathing in the fresh fall air as she looked in either direction, trying to remember where she’d parked. Everything was hazy, but if she could just find her car, she could go home and deal with this pain.
“You can’t drive. Not right now.” She heard Austin’s voice just behind her and her throat tightened. Why wouldn’t he leave her alone? He’d seemed perfectly happy to ignore her these last four weeks. But now, when he was the last person she wanted to see or hear from, he was everywhere. Invading her senses with his scent, touch, and voice.
“Daniel,” Sofi called for her brother, knowing he had to be close behind if Austin was there with her too.
“Sof.” Daniel put an arm around her waist as she leaned heavily into her brother. She knew she wouldn’t have to say another word. Her brothers and friends would get her home.
“Go away, Austin,” Leia declared bitterly. Sofi had never seen her sweet friend confront anyone; things must have been bad for her to stick up for Sofi like she had.
“I can’t. Sofi, please,” Austin began.
Sofi shook her head, hoping the action would keep Austin’s words away from her ears. “Where’s your truck, Daniel?” Sofi asked.
“Just let me take you home. I can explain,” Austin pleaded, but for the first time in Sofi’s life, nothing Austin said could move her.
“No,” Sofi said, loudly enough for all those gathered to hear. She didn’t know if Austin’s date had followed them, because Daniel and Mario had situated themselves between Sofi and everyone else.
That one word was enough for her brothers. They ushered her to the side of the building where Daniel’s truck waited. Sofi heard others following at their backs, but she wouldn’t look behind.
Daniel helped her into his truck as Mario came around to the passenger’s side and heaved himself in. He lifted his arm and Sofi fell into his embrace, burying her face in his shoulder. She couldn’t bear to look outside. She didn’t want to know if he’d followed. Either way would drive the knife of pain further into her heart.
The rumbling of an engine coming to life alerted Sofi that they would be gone soon. The evening would be over, but she had a feeling the pain was just starting.
She closed her eyes as she shifted in her seat, now leaning her head on Mario’s shoulder.
“I’m starting to like this Bash guy a whole lot more now,” Daniel said under his breath.
Sofi would have laughed if she weren’t so devastated. Bash was now a fixture of her past. She’d given him and every other man up for Austin. Not even for Austin—just for the hope of Austin. A hope that he had ground into the dirt along with her heart.
Sofi had just begun to allow the weariness she felt to permeate her bones when lights shone brightly into the back of Daniel’s truck.
“It’s him, isn’t it?” Sofi managed.
Daniel nodded. “I’ll pull into your driveway and keep Austin away. Mario, you get Sofi in the house immediately.”
“I’d prefer to be the one to keep Austin away,” Mario said, cracking his knuckles.
“Yeah, and I’d prefer no one get arrested tonight. I know I was right there with you in the bar, but Sofi is right. We’ve got to chill out, get her home, and then we can hate Austin all we want,” Daniel replied.
Mario was still tense, but because he didn’t argue Sofi figured he agreed with his brother. Sofi wasn’t sure how she felt about the situation. Part of her wanted to cause Austin as much pain as she felt. Although she wanted to be the one to deliver the punch if that was going to happen. But the bigger part of her could never allow Austin any kind of pain. As conflicted as she was, she knew which side would win if called upon. She’d always protect Austin. That was why it was so completely unbelievable that he’d done this to her.
