“And what do you care, man?” Cole said with a small laugh.

“How aren’t you concerned? That’s your sister out there,” I almost yelled.

“Relax man, why are you getting so worked up?” Cole stood up straight and looked at me. “It’s probably some silly lover’s squabble.”

“Yeah, I don’t think so,” I said, and hurriedly rushed out the door into the backyard.

As soon as I stepped out, I watched Lily get up and yell at Liam, the fury in her eyes clearly visible.

Seeing her angry, I quickened my pace, wanting to find out what Liam had said or done to piss her off so much.

“So how about you just get the hell out of here!” That was all I heard, but that was all I needed to hear to know she didn’t want Liam around.

“Or what?” Liam said.

Anger surged up inside of me as I heard him threaten Lily, and it took everything I had not to flare up and punch him right then and there. “Or I’ll have to throw you off my property.”

Liam turned to me, looking me dead in my eyes, and had the audacity to keep talking. “You can’t do shit.”

I smirked, knowing fully well that if I wanted to, I could knock him the fuck out. I clenched my jaw to suppress my anger and folded my fist. “How about you wait while I count to five and you find out.”

I secretly wished that Liam wouldn’t move so I would have an excuse to wipe that smug grin off his face. “One. Two. Three.”

My eyes narrowed as I neared five, and I clenched my fist even tighter, but unfortunately, I could see his resolve weaken, and just as I expected, he backed down.

“Fuck this,” he scoffed.

He walked past me, but not before bumping his shoulder into mine to make some sort of statement. But that wasn’t his biggest mistake. His biggest mistake was when he opened his mouth again.

“You can have the fucking bitch.”

I felt something inside of me snap, and my eyes blazed red. I grabbed Liam and pulled him back until he was facing me. Without even a second thought, I swung my fist at him and heard a sickening crunch as my fist connected with his nose, causing him to fall to the ground.

“Don’t you ever disrespect her like that ever again. Now, get the fuck out of my house.”

I waited for him to slowly get back up, his eyes staring daggers at me, but I was never one to back down. I moved closer to him, ready for whatever it was that was about to happen, when we both heard Cole’s voice.

“That’s enough!” Cole yelled from the open door.

He approached Liam, grabbed him by his uniform, and shoved him toward the front. “Get to the fucking truck, private. I’ll meet you there.”

He then turned to look at me, a look of remorse on his face. “I’m sorry about that Jake. I’ll be sure to discipline his ass when we get back to base.”

“It’s quite alright.” I sighed, glancing at Lily, who refused to meet my eyes. “I just couldn’t let that asshole talk to Lily like that.”

Cole turned to Lily and smiled. “You okay?”

“I’ll survive,” she said, with a smile of her own.

“I’m going to my hotel, but first I have to drop Liam off at his grandmother’s place. I’ll be sure to drop by for dinner tomorrow before I leave.”

“Of course man. If you want you could even come over for dinner tonight as well,” I said.

“Nah,” Cole laughed. “I’m giving you enough time to prepare a meal fit for a king. You know how much I love to eat.” Cole grinned.

“How could I fucking forget? We literally called you the bottomless pit.” I laughed as well.

Cole pulled me into a hug. “Take care of yourself and Lily man. I’ll see you tomorrow.”