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Turning back to Rose, I find her still unconscious, unaware of the danger around her. I curse under my breath, picking her up gently. Carefully, I sit on the end of the bed, her breathing is soft, and I pry her eyes open to see them rolling in her head.
“The situations you get yourself in,” I whisper, kissing her hair and resting my chin on her head. Peering around, I can't leave them like this; the broken door would raise too many questions. But for now, the priority is Rose, so I set her down and try to fix the door as best I can, closing it slightly. I can't walk out of here with an unconscious girl in my arms while the place is packed.
Hours pass, and the music from the party gradually fades into silence. When the coast is finally clear, I carefully pick up Rose, her unconscious body limp in my arms. I carry her to Andei’s parked car, gently setting her in the passenger seat. Her skin is cold, and I notice goosebumps covering her bare arms. Removing my shirt, I draped it over her, hoping it would provide her some warmth.
With Rose secured, I head back inside to collect Vince. The house is a mess. People are passed out on the floor, and red solo cups are scattered everywhere. Vince is slumped on the couch, his snores filling the otherwise quiet room. It takes a few slaps, and a lot of shaking, to finally wake him up.
“Get up. I'm taking you home,” I command, giving a hard slap across the face. Vince wakes up with a start, his eyes blurry.
“Wha…” he slurs, his voice filled with confusion. Suddenly, I hear a groan. One of the boys from earlier is stumbling down the stairs, looking disoriented. I can practically feel Andrei's rage through our mindlink.
He'll be livid, not just at the boys, but also at me for neglecting to check in sooner.
Swallowing down the guilt, I grab Vince by the arm, practically dragging him towards the car. The desire to rip him apart and make him pay for what he's done is overwhelming. But I need him to be conscious and understand the gravity of what he's done.
I don't allow him to ask questions. Instead, I grab him by the arm and drag him towards the door. The sight of him, so out of it, fills me with disgust. I toss him in the back seat of my car and then check on Rose. She's still unconscious, covered in goosebumps.
Climbing in the car, I notice the boys coming out of the house. My hands fist the steering wheel as I try to control Zyan, reminding him that the boyfriend is the mayor's nephew, with whom Andrei has an alliance. I try to ignore them, focusing on the road ahead. But it's hard; the memory of what I walked into, and what they tried to do to Rose, is too fresh in my mind.
The car roars to life, my grip tightening further on the steering wheel as I glance back at the house. I can see the boys rushing toward the road, their hollering ringing in my ears. With a heavy sigh, I put the car into gear and drove off, ignoring their catcalls.
Just when I think the night can’t get any worse, I notice a car tailing us. I initially brush it off as paranoia and keep driving. But when Andrei's car is rammed from behind at a stop sign, I know it's not just my imagination.
Glancing back at the car, I see the four boys from the party grinning like they've won the lottery. I snarl, ripping the car off to the side of the road. Just a jump out, Rose’s boyfriend does too.
I check the back of Andrei's car and curse. “You'll be paying for that, you little prick.” He shrugs, uncaring, and moves toward the front of the car. Zyan presses beneath my skin, and I grab his shoulder.
“Go; Andrei will deal with you later,” I warn him.
“What's your deal anyway? Always following her around like a lost puppy? Are you tapping that?” he asks, and I hear the car doors open in the car behind me.
“Get in your car, and go home,” I warn, my eyes flashing with a warning. But he only smirks, taunting me with his words.
“Nah, I think I will take my girlfriend home,” he retorts, taking a step closer. His friends join in, adding their own crude comments. A savage growl rips from my throat, my hands clenched into fists.
“You know, I could have your head for touching me? But if you hand her over, I may just forget about all this,” he threatens, the smirk never leaves his face.
Who does this little weasel think he is? Shaking my head, I try to go around him when he places his hand on my chest. Andrei hates this little germ. Unfortunately, he is close with his uncle, the mayor. Yet, I’m sure that won’t stop Andrei from killing him if he finds out what he was attempting to do to his daughter.
I have no idea who the other three are, but after what I witnessed earlier, they are just as vile as this bastard. “I'm not leaving without her,” he mocks, and I step closer.
“Then I guess you're not leaving at all,” I tell him, letting my claws slip out. The boy's smirk fades into a look of shock.
I hear a loud banging, my surroundings ripple, causing me to bolt up, alert. I growl when the banging starts again, and I hear Malik's voice. I spin around, looking for him, but no one is behind me, just the car where Rose is. Though, the picture is fractured, cracking as the real world starts invading my dream.
ChapterForty
Casen
“Casen, wake up!” I jolt awake, like someone tipped ice water over me, finding the banging noise to be the door. I look around for my daughter, who is tucked into my side. Turning my head, I realize the sound is the front door.
“Vince is drunk. He's trying to get into the house,” Malik tells me.
“Where's Rose?” I ask him, and he shrugs.
“Want me to wake up, Andrei?” I shake my head, climbing out of the bed.
“Watch her while I deal with him,” I tell Malik just as I hear the door bang against the wall.
