Page 49 of My Dream

My appetite vanished, and I took a shaky step back, planning to retreat to the safety of my room.

But Clay grabbed my arm. His grip was hard and painful. “You’re not going anywhere,” he snarled as he twisted my arm.

Before I could scream or react, I turned and ran straight into Compass. Shirtless, his presence filled the hallway like a storm cloud about to break.

“Get in our room, Fallon,” he growled, his voice like steel.

“I was just going to—”

He cut me off sharply. “Get. In. Our. Room. Now.” Each word was precise and dangerous.

I didn’t argue. Compass was furious, and the tension in the air was palpable. I hurried into the bedroom but left the door slightly ajar.

I peeked out just in time to see Compass lunge at Clay, grab him by the throat, and slam him against the wall. His face was inches from Clay’s, and his voice was a low, terrifying growl. “What the fuck did you just call Fallon?”

Clay sputtered, and his eyes were wide with panic.

“What the fuck is going on?” Yarder’s voice cut through the chaos. He approached with Poppy, Smoke, and Dice following close behind.

“This asshole called Fallon a slut and grabbed her arm,” Compass snarled and slammed Clay into the wall again. “He fucking touched her.”

“Why the fuck would you do something that stupid?” Dice asked and shook his head in disbelief.

Yarder stepped closer. “You’re fucking fired, douchebag. Get your shit and get the fuck out of here before Compass kills you.”

Clay’s panic escalated. “Okay, okay! Just let me go. Tell him to let me go!”

Compass didn’t release him. His eyes locked on Clay’s with pure rage. “If you even think about Fallon again, I will find you, and I will fucking kill you. You got that?”

Clay nodded frantically. “I got it! I’ll never think about her again. I’m sorry. Please, just let me go,” he pleaded.

Compass yanked him away from the wall and tossed him onto the floor at Yarder’s feet. Clay scrambled onto all fours, coughing and moaning in pain.

“Get the fuck up,” Yarder ordered and punctuated his command with a kick to Clay’s stomach. Clay staggered to his feet and stumbled down the hallway while clutching his side.

“Dice, make sure he’s gone,” Yarder said.

“With pleasure,” Dice replied and followed Clay down the hallway.

“You okay?” Yarder asked, his tone softer as he turned to me.

I nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine. He didn’t hurt me.”

Yarder gave a curt nod before guiding Poppy back toward the common room.

I turned my attention to Compass, who was still standing in the hallway with his chest heaving with barely contained rage.

“Compass,” I called softly.

He didn’t answer. His fists were clenching and unclenching at his sides.

“Compass, I’m okay,” I repeated, stepping closer. “I promise.” I wasn’t afraid of him.

He turned to me slowly, his expression raw.

I didn’t wait. I ran to him and threw myself into his arms. He caught me immediately and held me so tightly I could hardly breathe.

“I’m okay,” I whispered against his chest and felt the steady beat of his heart beneath my cheek.

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