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It took another few seconds before he did, immediately turning toward the men, the cold look in his eyes providing a clear indication he’d make good on his threat if the assholes didn’t move fast enough.
They took their sweet time, the other members of the ball team following them to the door. I grabbed the opportunity to confront my unwanted savior.
“Why did you do that?” I demanded.
“Because he wasn’t going to take no for an answer.” Viper slowly lowered his gaze, taking a deep breath. For a few seconds, he continued to wear the mask I’d clearly seen sliding across his face, one that had altered his personality into a killer. I didn’t know him any longer. Where he’d been an arrogant guy before, this was something entirely different.
“I’ve been taking care of myself for years. I could have handled him. And I don’t belong to you! I don’t belong to anyone and never will.” I wanted to add he was the reason why, but I thought better of it. There was no sense in dredging up the past.
I’ll be damned if he didn’t crowd my space, refusing to stop until he managed to back me against the wall. When he planted a single palm on the side of my head, I was shocked that my first reaction was to swoon like some lovesick girl.
There wasn’t a man alive who deserved that. Not one.
Including Viper.
“You obviously didn’t pay attention to the fact he and his friends were all armed.”
No, I hadn’t wanted to pay that close of attention. “So what? Lots of people are licensed to carry weapons.”
He laughed softly and the sound floated across my skin like the sweet touch of a feather. I did what I could not to register a single reaction, even if my core was already heated. “As I said. You don’t know what men like that are capable of.” As he lowered his head, I thought for certain he was going to kiss me.
No. That couldn’t happen. Not here. Not now.
Not ever.
I had to get control of the situation before it got out of hand. There were two ways to disarm the man, one of which I refused to do. The second I hoped would work.
I pressed my hand against his chest, controlling my breathing as I lowered my voice, allowing a slight purr to slide into the tone. “Lesson learned, Danny. I promise.”
That seemed to break the spell, the dangerous light in his eyes dimming. As soon as he lifted his head, he looked away. Then he turned around and headed back to the table, the guys following him.
I didn’t want to react, not in the least, but as I stood in the same place, my heart thudding against my chest, I remained lightheaded.
Yet I made another promise that I’d stay away from him.
And I always kept my promises.
CHAPTER8
Viper
She’d called me Daddy dearest. That was an intentional slight if I ever heard one. The woman wasn’t just a ballbuster. She was hell on wheels. What had possessed me to interfere? Oh, yeah. That’s what I did.
“I’ve been taking care of myself for years. I could have handled him. And I don’t belong to you! I don’t belong to anyone and never will.”
Fuck me.
When the little vixen had issued the words, I’d almost dragged out one of the chairs and blistered her behind. She’d purposely tried to annoy me. I was certain of it. Why? Why did the girl hate me so damn much?
Even worse, I’d told the guy that she belonged to me. While I’d said so on purpose just to get him to walk the hell away, I’d felt it for a few seconds. What was wrong with me?
“Hey, Vipe. I still can’t get ahold of Mr. Callaway’s agent.”
I didn’t bother throwing a look in Stephen Watson’s direction, continuing to drum my fingers on the desk.
“Our new client. Isn’t he a real prick?” the new guy asked, staring directly at me.
Hell, Zach Brogan had been with us for less than a month. It was time I tried to remember his first name.
