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“Who do you think?” I snap, a furious rage building inside me.
She frowns. “Gavin.”
“GavinfuckingHolley,” I growl.
The bouncers are already trying to clean things up, using push brooms to sweep the wreckage into piles. Jason’s dragging out a big garbage can from the storage room when he spots us and rushes over.
“I know I locked up last night,” Jason breathes, stabbing his fingers through his hair as he approaches. “I’m positive I did.”
“This isn’t on you, Jason,” I say with a shake of my head. The muscle in my jaw ticks as I continue to survey the damage around us. “It’s on me,” I force out through clenched teeth. “This was a message.”
Jason narrows his eyes in question, but I don’t elaborate further. He may be the manager of this club, but he isn’t of high enough rank within the pack to warrant full disclosure. “Get a sign posted outside that says we’re closed for renovations,” I instruct. “Then call Tayla and have her make a post on the club’s social media pages.”
Juliet’s eyes darken at the mention of Tayla’s name, but her dislike of the girl is the least of our problems right now. I stayed true to my word and reinstated Tayla’s privileges after that night at Club Zodiac, including her job on the marketing team for the pack’s nightclubs. It’s strictly business.
Jason nods in affirmation and I dismiss him, kicking a beer bottle across the floor angrily as I stride toward the splintered remains of the bar.
In an effort to distract myself from how pissed off I am by keeping my hands busy, I grab a twisted stool from atop the bar, carrying it over to one of the piles of broken things. In my periphery I see Juliet grab a broom to start sweeping.
This is a far cry from the celebratory meal I had planned following her first day at Denver U.
Some celebration this turned out to be.
“Hey,” I mumble, approaching Juliet as she sweeps the floor angrily. “Why don’t you take the Camaro and head home? I know you’ve got reading to do tonight. Jason and I can take care of things here.”
Juliet shakes her head, not picking it up to meet my eyes as she sweeps the floor harder. “It’s my fault,” she says hoarsely. “You were right, I shouldn’t have provoked him.”
“Jules…”
She jerks her head up to look at me, tears of frustration shining in her eyes.
Heaving a sigh, I shake my head and step closer, prying the broom out of her grip and dropping it to the floor. Then I wrap my arms around Juliet, pulling her in.
“No, baby, it’s not,” I say, catching a tear with my thumb as it slides down her cheek. “The only person at fault here is Gavin.Hedid this.”
She winds her arms around me, burying her face in my chest. I just hold her for a long moment, resting my cheek against the crown of her head.
I didn’t expect Gavin to take things this far- but then again, I never expected him to try to kidnap Juliet, either. If there’s one thing I’m learning, it’s that Gavin Holley will go to drastic lengths to get what he wants, which doesn’t bode well since I have no intention of doing business with him.
Juliet shrugs out of my hold, bending down to scoop up a shot glass from the floor. By some miracle, it’s still intact, the Jokers logo etched into the side.
“We need to take that asshole down once and for all,” she says angrily, glancing from the shot glass up to me.
“If only it were that simple,” I grumble.
“Why isn’t it?”
I shake my head. “Don’t worry about it. You just focus on your studies. I’ll deal with Gavin Holley.”
Defiance blazes in Juliet’s eyes, her lips twisting in a scowl. “No.”
I arch a brow. “No?”
“No,” she repeats, folding her arms over her chest indignantly. “You don’t get to shut me out, Cole. Let me help…”
“It’s not safe,” I interrupt, the firmness in my voice brokering no room for argument. “I don’t want you anywhere near Gavin, the guy’s dangerous.”
Juliet uncrosses her arms, pressing a finger into the center of my chest. “If you want me to be your Luna, then you need to treat me like one. Like yourequal.” She drops her hand, pacing away before spinning back around to face me with a frown. “I’m not going to hide out while you deal with stuff on your own, Sarge. That’s not a partnership. I know you’re used to running the show all alone, but if this is going to work, then things need to change. You need to tell me what’s going on, listen to my input, and let me help you. Alpha and Luna are supposed to be a team.”
