Chapter 36
James
We take our seats in the crowded pub, my back to the wall, looking out at the revellers. I’m still in no mood to be out, but at least it’s a change of scenery. Jen and Amy sit in front of me, flipping and catching beermats and laughing.
I stare as the head of my beer starts to disappear, wondering what the hell I’m doing with my life. How has it come to this? A couple of months ago, I was a boring teacher, preparing for another school year, alone and frustrated but with a peaceful life.
Now I’m with a woman I adore, but my career lies in tatters, my confidence with it.
A loud laugh catches my attention as a group of men saunter in, all clapping each other on the back, and I feel sick.
Yes, Miss
“All right, noncey boy? Didn’t expect to see you showing your face in public!
” Daniel sneers at me from the bar as his friends join in with their laughs.
The heat of anger stirs inside my stomach, rising up as my hand grips my pint glass, turning my fingertips white.
I breathe deeply, trying not to lose my temper.
I don’t want to give him the satisfaction of getting a rise out of me.
The pounding in my ears grows louder as the noise of chatter drifts away to nothing in my mind.
“Daniel,” I bite out. “No woman to harass tonight? Or are you just getting started?”
“Oh James, at least mine are adults when I get my hands on them!” he spits, his face twisted in hatred.
“Fuck you, Daniel! You know it’s a lie. One I bet you’re behind, you nasty piece of shit!” I jump up, my bar stool toppling to the floor behind me. Jen shoots up, her arm gripping my wrist.
“James, stop. Don’t let him win!”
“What have I got to lose now, Jen?” I growl. “I’ll fucking kill him.”
“Yeah, James, sit down,” Daniel laughs. “Your Madame isn’t here now, is she?
I like a spirited woman; maybe I should have a crack at her?
Now you aren’t mooning over her at work.
” His smug fucking face smiles back at me.
“She likes an older man; I’ll show her what I can do with a whip on that peachy ass of hers! ” He cackles, his head
Alexandra Ravensbrook
whipping back as he laughs. His cronies laugh along as onlookers start to pay attention.
And I see red.
There’s no way he’ll talk about Isabelle like that and get away with it! She’s mine.
My woman.
My queen.
To have a piece of shit like him disrespecting her and reducing her to some sexual plaything is too much.
A wave of rage rolls through me as I shove past the table, sending our drinks flying. I stalk up to him, gripping his shirt in my fist, and pull him flush against me, staring him down.
“I dare you to fucking say that again!”
“Go on, James, hit me. Seal your fate.” His eyes dart between mine, his breaths quickening. A flicker of panic crosses his face. “Do it, James, see what happens! I’ll finish you!” His words come out sharp and short, daring me to punch that sneer off his face.
Jen’s hand lands on my chest, and with a hard shove, I let go of his shirt as she wedges herself between us.
“Ah, the lesbo saves the day, eh, James? Do you always need women to fight your battles?”
Yes, Miss
“Oh, fuck you!” Amy shouts, kicking his legs out from under him.
Daniel’s sneer twists into shock and pain as his arms flail, trying to stop his fall, his hands desperately trying to grip the edge of the bar.
She crouches over his slumped body, getting right in his face.
“Get me fired, fucker! I own my business! Any police complaint, and I’ll file it as a hate crime. See how you fare then!”
Daniel’s friends go dead silent, averting their eyes as Jen drags me backward and out of the pub into the cool night as I gasp the cold air in. I’m not taking this lying down now. This fucker started his own downfall, and I want to watch every second of it.