Page 110 of By His Rule

“I don’t need your fucking help,” I seethe, trying to shake both sets of hands off me.

“You’re throwing punches out the front of the office, little brother. I think you very much need our help right now.”

Jamie ushers Matt away, and the fucker runs like the little pussy that he really is while King continues to get rid of our audience.

“Kieran, take Lorelei to the car and see she gets home safely.”

I spin around just in time to watch my little brother throw his arm around Lorelei.

The anger, that had barely lessened, surges forward once again.

“No,” I bark, reaching out to throw his arm from around her. “Don’t you fucking touch her.”

Silence rings out so loud between the four of us it’s deafening.

“I’m taking her home.”

“No, you’re not. You and I need to talk.”

“Talk?” I balk. “I’ve got nothing to talk to you about right now.”

“How about the media shitstorm that’s going to come from videos of you going viral punching an innocent man outside our offices?” Kingston sneers.

He’s pissed. I acted before thinking about the consequences. But so fucking what? If it were Tate in Lorelei’s position just now, he’d have done the exact same thing.

“You’ll figure it out,” I mutter as I grab Lorelei’s hand, tugging her away from Kieran.

To my surprise, she doesn’t let go as we close in on the car.

I clutch her hand tight, wondering what might have happened if Jamie hadn’t been here.

Would he have hurt her worse?

“Get in,” I bark, the red haze beginning to dissipate, allowing reality to trickle in.

“I don’t think so,” Lorelei spits, finally attempting to tug her hand from mine.

As if her touch burns, I drop her hand. But I’m not letting her get away. I will see her safely to her door, even if it kills me.

“Kian?” King demands from behind me.

“Get in the fucking car, Lorelei. I won’t ask you again.”

She looks between me and my brothers, who are standing behind me.

She wants to argue, I can see the fire burning deep in her eyes, but for a reason I may never know, instead of continuing to battle with me, she nods once and then concedes and steps into the car.

“Good girl,” I muse, following her inside.

“Don’t,” she warns. “Just…don’t.”

I follow her orders as Jamie closes the door, blocking us off from outside, plunging us into silence and our own little world.

My hand throbs from where I hit that motherfucker, but I don’t let it be known. Something tells me that Lorelei would delight in knowing I was in pain.

The engine comes to life, and the moment I can, I lean forward and put the privacy screen up.

Sitting back, I turn to look at Lorelei. Her back is ramrod straight. She’s got her purse and laptop bag on her lap, her arms clutching them as if they’re a lifeline.

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