Page 133 of I Stop Somewhere Waiting For You

“My only regret is that I came home to you after.” My words expel as though they’re laced with venom, my eyes narrowing.

The lights briefly flicker, signaling the end of cocktail hour as the guests are instructed to make our way into the main ballroom.

“Stay away from me, Cabir. I’m serious.”

“Joanna, wait.” His hand shoots out, encircling my forearm, thus preventing my retreat. I motion to pull away, but Mav’s faster. Seemingly appearing out of thin air like my own personal guardian, ripping Cabir’s left hand from my skin.

“What did I tell you about touching my woman?” Mav seethes through his clenched jaw. Cabir attempts to pull away, but Mav maintains his grip. “Apparently, you’re just not getting it. Maybe you need a more hands-on approach.”

Maintaining his hold on Cabir’s wrist, Mav makes quick use of his other hand, breaking three of Cabir’s fingers in the process. The sound of snapping bones causes me to wince, and though his expression is clearly pained, I’m slightly impressed at Cabir’s ability to remain relatively quiet aside from a heightened hiss.

“From now on,” Mav explains, “every time you touch her, I break or remove a body part. Understand?” He shoves Cabir backward, sending him stumbling into the table, rattling the glass tower as the last of the guests clear out to head toward the reception.

Mav’s hateful stare burns into him, sending a clear look of warning as his arm encircles my waist, turning to guide me from the room. “You okay, baby?”

“Yeah.” I nod. “Fucking psycho just can’t take a hint. Where’s Nick?”

“Keeping an eye on Devoreaux. Shouldn’t be long now.”

Entering the reception area, I’m relieved to find us seated at a table with my parents. However, given their current understanding of the situation, they’re anything but chipper, especially toward my brother. We suffer through dinner and the speeches, and by the time the band starts hyping up the crowd for a night of dancing, the tension’s so thick, it’s practically suffocating.

Just when I think one of us is going to snap, Nicky slaps Mav in the chest, drawing his attention toward the door in time to see Mr. Devoreaux exiting with one of his associates. After several moments, Cabir takes his leave as well.

Nicky pulls out his cell, his fingers tapping momentarily at the screen before pressing the phone to his ear. “Rico,” he speaks low. “They just walked out. You got eyes on them? How we looking?” Nicky’s silent for a minute, eyes locked with Mav as Rico says something that has him smiling. “Good looks, bro.” He disconnects the call. “We were right about the room. Rico watched them get off on that floor from the elevator.”

“So what do we do now?” I ask, nervously wringing my hands in my lap.

“We wait.”

“Hopefully, it won’t have to be too long,” Mav speaks, holding up his phone for us to see a thumbs up text from an unknown number.

“Kellerman?” I ask, my voice a low whisper.

He nods in response. “Moment of truth. Let’s hope they give him something good.”

***

Almost an hour goes by.

All around us, the party carries on. Nicky keeps himself preoccupied by sneaking off every so often, his absences by chance overlapping with Daphne’s momentary disappearances.

I watch the guests descend further into their drunken stupors, performing mass choreographed dances such as the Macarena and Electric Slide as I grow restless with each passing minute. The looming threat of the unknown hangs over us like a dark cloud. Desperate for a distraction from my thoughts, I push up, unsure of where I’m even going, but the need to do something other than sit by and helplessly wait sets me in motion. Mav’s up behind me, hot on my tail, when my name spills from his lips, giving pause to my retreat.

Suddenly, the music shifts, the band slowing as the singer’s soft melodic voice flows forth into the space around us.

This Town (Acoustic Version) by Alex G (Spotify)

This Town (Acoustic Version) by Alex G (Apple Music)

Mav extends his hand. “Dance with me.”

“Right now?” I glance around nervously. “Aren’t things going to get a little rowdy any minute?”

“I don’t give a fuck. Dance with me.” His face morphs into a wide smile, its beauty hypnotizing me, leaving me powerless to resist. “Let’s make a memory we can hold on to.”

Without further thought, my hand slips into Mav’s and he tightens his grip, pulling me into him as we glide effortlessly onto the dance floor. He spins me out, all the while maintaining his hold when he whips me back into his chest. As my body makes contact with his, he seizes control, and I instinctively submit to his lead. Mav advances forward, guiding me back in a skilled show of rhythmic movements that has me staring up at him in awe.

“What?” He chuckles, taking note of my shocked expression.

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