Chapter 27
ROWAN
The song changes again, this time to something heavier, the kind that rattles your ribs. Bella’s still smiling, cheeks flushed from singing, eyes bright.
She reacted to my outburst well. My temper gets the better of me sometimes; usually it’s Reggie who stops me from going too far. But this time, she pushed through and got me out of it.
I glance behind her and see them coming.
The same idiot who thought he could touch her, now with two of his mates. They swagger through the crowd, the sort of men who’ve never had to back up a threat. Until now.
“Didn’t appreciate you embarrassing my friend,” the tall one says, shoving me lightly. “We were just being friendly.”
I laugh, stepping in front of Bella, hand on my gun under my jacket. “Then learn what friendly looks like before you start putting your hands on people who didn’t ask.”
The one who spoke first sneers. “What, you her boyfriend?”
“Something like that,” I say. I’m not, but if the word keeps their hands off her, I’ll wear it.
He takes another step, the crowd shifting to give us space. “Maybe she doesn’t need you talking for her.”
Before I can answer, Bella slides in front of me. “Maybe I don’t need you talking at all,” she says.
It catches them off guard, the accent, the fire. One of them laughs, a sound that grates. “Feisty little wh—”
I’m already moving before he finishes the word. He reaches out, and I shove his arm away, hard. The second one lunges. I duck and drive my shoulder into his gut, sending him stumbling back into a table. Glass shatters. People shout. All I care about is Bella.
As I glance behind, she grabs a bar tray from a nearby stool and swings it at the tall one’s wrist as he reaches for me. The smack echoes. He yells, clutching his hand.
“Stay down,” she snaps.
For a second I freeze. She’s magnificent like this. Messy, fearless, eyes burning. Fucking beautiful.
The third guy tries to grab her from behind, and I’m already there, yanking him off her. I don’t think. I move. A quick strike to his ribs, enough to knock the wind out of him. He crumples, gasping. He stumbles and lands a messy punch, knocking Bella straight over.
I see red. My fists smash into his face, over and over until he’s unconscious.
I race over to Bella, who is wiping away a drop of blood from her forehead, still holding the tray like a weapon, chest heaving, hair falling into her eyes. And then, she smashes it over his head. Over and over.
I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her back, looking at the stunned people at the bar watching. Blood pours from his face.
“You alright?” I ask, breathing hard.
She nods. “Yeah. You?”
“Never better.” I grin, teeth flashing. “You fight dirty, precious.”
“Learned from the best,” she says, tossing the tray down.
“Told you, I don’t need protecting.”
The bouncer pushes through the crowd, grabbing the three idiots as they try to collect themselves. I take Bella’s hand and steer her toward the back exit.
Outside, the night air hits. She’s still trembling with adrenaline; so am I.
“Thanks for the backup,” I say, half-laughing, still catching my breath, spinning her to face me.
I tuck a stray strand of hair away from her face, and she bats her lashes at me. Mesmerizing me again.
“You’re welcome. Next time, though, maybe don’t make enemies in the first five minutes?”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “Next time, maybe let me handle it.”
I lean in closer, running my nose along her cheek.
“But, I’ll always protect you, Bel. No one gets to touch you without permission.”
She pulls back and arches a brow. “And miss the fun? Not a chance.”
She flashes me a perfect grin. “Thank you, though. It’s nice to know someone has my back.”
I look at her, really look, and it hits me. This woman doesn’t need guarding. She just needs someone willing to stand beside her when the world catches fire.
And God help me, I think that someone might be me. Even though it really shouldn’t be.