Page 88 of Restrained

Her head swivels to meet his scathing gaze. “What is going on with you?”

He shrugs, his eyes darkened with contempt. “Nothing. I’m just saying it’s great that you’re so damn happy. You know? I mean, fuck, you ran far away after Colt died but then rushed back in and fixed everything. The true hero.”

He moves to walk closer to her, but I hold my arm out to block him. “Stop.”

He stands where he is and glares at her. “Then you swooped right in to save Viv, convinced her to move her and her kid across the country. I mean, you are amazing.”

I see her lip quiver and my instinct is to hold her, but instead, I stay between Asher and her. “Asher, I’m sorry. I didn’t do it to hurt you.” The quivering of her voice is heartbreaking.

“You think I'm not used to being all alone?” The kid is miserable. “I know all about being alone, and I'm fucking fine.” He gestures to me. “And now, you’ve met your superhuman match. Now everyone can just go on with their lives and forget about Colt and me.”

“We’ll never forget about you.” A tear slides down her cheek as she pleads with her brother to wake up.

“Bullshit. You just had to fucking fix it. Perfect Lola.” His voice is quiet, but the tone is edged with scorn. “You can do no wrong. And no one ever calls you out.”

“Watch it. She was looking out for you.”

His eyes lock on me. “You angry, huh? Lola won’t like that. She doesn’t get angry. She just comes in with the perfect solution and tries to dictate our entire lives.”

“You two were hurting each other. I didn’t want that for you or for her.” She’s crying, and I fucking hate it.

“That wasn’t your fucking decision!” His voice raises, and I step fully in between them now. Asher’s cold dead eyes are even with mine. “You want to hit me?” He points to his chin. “Right here.”

“Don’t, Hayden.” I hear Lola’s plea from behind me, but it’s one I have to ignore.

Asher’s eyes narrow, challenging me. “Tough decision. You hit me, she’s not going to let you touch her. Sex? Or a different kind of satisfaction? Your choice.”

My choice was already made. I pull my fist back and quickly pop him right in the mouth, not nearly as hard as I’m capable of, but I give him what he’s looking for.

Lola is at my side, looking at Asher who now has a split lip as he brings his hand up, wiping away the blood and glaring at me.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Lola gasps, but I know she’ll forgive me.

Asher smirks, his tongue running over the bloody lip. “Fuck. That’s all you’ve got? Even my sister leaves a mark when she throws a punch. This’ll be gone tomorrow.”

“Asher, shut up.” Lola is still looking at me, horrified.

“You done being a little shit tonight?” I ask him.

He only smirks again, bringing the flask up to his lips and wincing as he takes another drink before lowering the flask. “Nope.”

My arm pulls back again, and this time my fist lands on the side of his cheek, making a loud smacking sound with the contact. He stumbles back this time, covering the left side of his cheek.

“Hayden!” Lola screams just as Lincoln runs out of the house to meet us, examining his brother’s face.

“You little shit. On my wedding night?”

“Fuck you.” Asher spits into the snow in front of him. “You come out to take a shot too?”

No longer wearing his tuxedo jacket, Lincoln starts rolling up the sleeves of his white shirt. “Maybe.”

Lola shoves Lincoln’s chest. “Don’t you dare. What is the matter with you two?” She’s looking at me and Lincoln. Not Asher. “He’s drunk. And pissed off at the world.” She looks at me. “So you hit him in the face?”

I don’t defend my actions and can see the welt forming on Asher’s face. He glares at me but seems calmer.

Lola, however, is definitely not. “What is this, some sort of stupid man thing? Solving problems with your fists?”

I smile at her. “I seem to remember your fist meeting my face not all that long ago.”

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