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Eddie is speaking to Jasmine in a hushed tone, and beside them are Terrance and Terrica with interlocked hands and questioning gazes.
“Wayne, you scared me. What are you doing here?” I ask, utterly confused. I had intended to talk to him about everything that happened this evening when I returned home. Seeing him here immediately after breaking up Jasmine and Moey’s bathroom fight is perplexing.
“I came to protect my woman,” he says with a low rumble. “Are you okay?” he asks, assessing every inch of me with questioning eyes. His scowl gives the impression he will dismantle something if there’s a misplaced hair or one blemish on me.
“I’m fine, Wayne. You didn’t have to come. Did someone call you and tell you something was wrong?” If they did, they had not-so-perfect timing. I would have rathered that he didn’t see the commotion caused here tonight firsthand. I don’t want him upset over what happened here since coming was my choice.
Wayne’s eyes glitter dangerously. “You, my future wife, should have called to tell me what was happening here tonight. So, would you explain why I had to find out from someone else that my woman is being mistreated at this party tonight?”
Terrica slowly walks over with Terrance. She gives me an apologetic look before saying, “Hey, I didn’t mean to intrude, but I texted Terrance to let him know what was happening. I didn’t like how Moey made you and your sister uncomfortable, but I had no idea a fight had broken out when I texted.” She gives me an ‘I wasn’t trying to tell on you, sis’ look.
“It’s okay, Terrica,” I say to the woman who truly had no ill intentions tonight.
“You did the right thing, and I appreciate you for looking out for Les,” Wayne chimes in, giving Terrica a warm smile before his face tightens again.
“Come on, baby,” Terrance takes her by the hand and says, “We’re about to bounce.”
“Okay, man. I’ll get with you later,” Wayne responds.
“See you later, Terrica,” I say, waving goodbye.
When they walk away, Wayne asks with a controlled tone, “Are you ready to tell me what happened tonight, so I can straighten it out right now?"
"You don't have to do that. There is nothing to straighten out," I say consolingly, but his stony expression lets me know it would be futile to try and dissuade him from defending me.
"Les, tell me what’s going on."
Looking into Wayne's dark eyes, I feel a wave of warmth wash over me. Watching my alpha man stand here, ready to scorch the earth for me, makes me feel like planting a passionate kiss on his lips when I know this moment calls for everything but sensuality. "It was just Moey acting uncivilized," I say finally.
"And I took care of her ass," Jasmine interjects as Eddie drags her closer to him by her arm. Her voice is cold and filled with contempt. "No one is going to come up here talking crazy to my sister and think it's okay." She stares at Eddie for a moment before continuing. "And for some reason, she thinks she can talk slick out of her mouth about me and my love life. Do you knowwhy she thinks she can do that?" Her question hangs in the air like a thundercloud.
Eddie's voice booms in a thundering growl. “Jasmine, control yourself. You cannot go around assaulting people because they’re talking smack or doing something you don’t agree with!”
Jasmine snarls back. “But she was damn sure attacked, right?”
Eddie spits angrily, "You had better hope she doesn’t sue you.”
Jasmine shrugs free from Eddie. “Sue me for what? I have nothing to take, so I would love to see her try to sue me for anything.”
“Come on; it's clear that you need something to help settle you down tonight," says Eddie.
“You don’t know what I need,” Jasmine retorts.
“I know what you need better than anyone else,” Eddie responds, taking her by the arm and guiding her out of the restaurant. Jasmine stops and pouts, but Eddie pulls her along, saying, “Yeah, I know exactly what you need, and you’re going to get it.”
As Eddie and Jasmine make their dramatic exit, Wayne runs his hands through his hair and stares ahead with clenched fists. “This is why I didn't want you to come out with these ladies, Leslie. You are my everything - my sun, my moon, and my stars all rolled into one. I don’t appreciate anyone making you feel any less than that.”
“Nothing she said to me matters. She even brought that lady from the bathroom at the Zanga bar, but they only got upset because I wouldn’t give them the response they wanted," I assure him. "Jasmine, on the other hand, took matters into her own hands.” I sigh and watch my sister leave out the front door with Eddie.
As I return my attention to Wayne, I notice Moey stomping toward us. “Here she comes again.”
“Who?” Wayne turns and scowls at Moey. “What do you want?”
“You two had better prepare yourselves for a call from my lawyer! Make sure your uncivilized little sister knows that she has earned herself a place on my hitlist and that I won't let her or either of her men escape unscathed!”
Wayne strides in front of me with purpose, a wall of muscle standing protectively between me and Moey. His voice is an unyielding force that thunders through the tense air. “Your problem isn’t with Leslie. It isn’t even with Jasmine. You’re bitter because my brother wouldn’t allow you to use him. And so now you think you can get back at him by hurting what’s mine? But let me tell you something right now.” He takes a menacing step forward, his rage-filled eyes piercing into hers. “This woman here, and anybody she loves, is off limits. I will protect them with everything I have at my disposal, and neither you nor your lawyers will be prepared for a fight with me. Do you understand?”
Her voice rises to a ferocious crescendo. “I can’t believe you’re standing behind what they did to me. Her sister followed me into the bathroom and clocked me with brass knuckles!”
