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“You okay, Colleen?” he asked without looking at her.
It was the first time she’d ever heard him say her name, and if there was a whisper of doubt that she’d been affected by him before, it was gone now.
“I’m fine,” she said, and her voice sounded strange.
Chris had made it to shore, she saw. He half staggered, half ran up the path.
“Is Bryce hurt?” Lucas asked, his voice low and calm even as Jake continued to struggle.
“He passed out,” she said. “He’s drunk.”
It seemed as if Jake was about to strangle there; he was breathing, but he wasn’t fighting anymore. “You should probably let him go. You don’t want to kill him.”
He glanced at her. “That’s debatable.” But he did let go, and Jake dropped right on his ass, hard, and sucked in air.
“My parents will fucking sue you,” he gasped.
“They can try,” Lucas said.
“You’re going to suehim?” Colleen blurted in outrage. “Think about what my parents will do to you, you little shit.”
“For what?” Jake said, his voice shaking with tears. “For horsing around?”
“You were going to rape me!”
“Are you kidding? Youwantedit, Colleen,” Jake said, and even while on his knees, there was a smug look of entitlement on his face. “Why else did you come on to me? To all three of us?”
Her hands turned into fists, and she took a furious step forward, fully intending to kick him in his Cameron Diaz face, but Lucas stepped between them.
Jake’s voice took on more confidence and the nasty edge returned. “Are your clothes torn? Did I even kiss you!” He stood up. “This asshole, though...he has a violent streak.”
“Yeah,” Lucas said. “I do. I’m from the South Side of Chicago, and don’t you forget it.” He stepped forward, forcing Jake to step back. “If I see you within fifty feet of her, you’ll see just how violent a Southie can get. Me and a hammer. You and a new orifice. You understand?”
Granted, being protected wasn’t really Colleen’s thing, as she’d never needed it before, butdamn. Jake’s eyes grew comically round with terror.
“I asked you a question, you little shit.”
“I understand,” Jake said, his voice shaking.
“Is there a problem here?” It was the limo driver, followed by Chris.
“This asshole grabbed me by the throat!” Jake said, his tone immediately sullen.
“Sounds like you deserved it,” the driver said. “At least, according to him.” He gestured to Chris, who gave her an ashamed nod. “Now get in the limo, rich boy. Party’s over.” The driver looked at Colleen. “Are you okay?” he asked.
She hesitated, then nodded.
“If you ever touch her again, Jake,” Lucas said, his voice soft and matter-of-fact, “you’ll be eating through a straw for weeks.”
“Oh, yeah?” Jake said. “Just because you snuck up on me—”
Lucas made a small movement toward him, and Jake screamed and jerked back.
“Come on,” the driver said.
“Oh, Jake?” Colleen said sweetly.
He gave her a lethal look.
