Page 25 of What the Hex

Once she had slipped through the big double doors, Storm sighed and rubbed a hand over his face. “I wanted to punch that fucker in the face.”

“Probably best that you didn’t.” No matter how satisfying it would have been, the fallout definitely wasn’t worth it. “You know this isn’t your fault, right?”

Storm shrugged. “Yeah, I know. Doesn’t change anything.”

No, he supposed it didn’t. He hadn’t even witnessed the altercation, and he wanted to punch the guy as well.

“Come on. Let’s get this done so we can get out of here. I’m starving.”

Damn, he’d completely forgotten about their dinner date. “You go. I’ve got this.” He pulled his phone out and opened his notes app. “Tell me what you want to eat, and I’ll order it for you.”

“Believe it or not, darlin’, I’m perfectly capable of ordering my own food.” He wound his arm around King’s shoulders and pulled him close. “I’m not leaving you here alone.”

“I don’t have any admirers lurking around.” He spoke quietly, gently, not wanting to dismiss his mate’s concerns but still needing to make a point. “No one is going to hurt me.”

“I’m not leaving, so just let me help you.”

“Actually, can you talk to Skye? She needs to know what happened.”

“Security dragged the guy out, so I’m sure she’s already been informed.”

In that case, how had Storm become involved? “What exactly happened?”

Storm dropped his head and rubbed his cheek against the top of King’s head. “I don’t know all the details. I was wrapping up on stage when I saw them talking. It looked pretty intense.”

King nodded. So far, he was following.

“I was headed over to check on her when he grabbed her arm. Security reached them before I did, and they took him out of the ballroom.” Sighing again, he finally released his grip on King and pressed a kiss to his forehead. “You showed up a couple of minutes later.”

“I wonder what they were arguing about.”

Storm quirked an eyebrow. “Does it matter?”

Maybe not, but without all the information, he didn’t want to jump to conclusions, either. Naturally, he was worried about his friend, and he didn’t like the idea of some asshole putting his hands on her. At the same time, Nita was a she-wolf and more than capable of protecting herself.

It didn’t add up.

Nita had a sweet, bubbly personality, but she also didn’t take shit from anyone. He’d watched entitled guests literally scream in her face, and she hadn’t even blinked. She damn sure never broke down in tears or needed to be rescued.

Maybe it was nothing. After all, the typical rules didn’t really apply to matters of the heart. Still, while he made it a rule not to involve himself in other people’s business, something didn’t feel right.

“So, what happened with your family earlier?”

King instantly stilled as his pulse quickened. It was a timely, albeit harsh, reminder that he had enough problems of his own without adding Nita’s to his plate.

“My mom wants us to come to dinner on Friday.”

“That’s great.” As he spoke, Storm grabbed a nearby chair and stacked it onto the one next to it. “Perfect timing, too, since I don’t have filming this week.”

Yeah. Perfect.

King nodded but remained silent.

“I thought you said there was some drama.” There was no accusation in his tone. Only mild curiosity.

“Oh, that.” Now that it had passed, it didn’t seem like such a big deal anymore. “My siblings think I slipped you a love potion to make you think we’re mated.”

He didn’t know what kind of response he expected, but laughter wasn’t it.

---