Page 71 of Impending Consent

Julian smiled arrogantly. "Husband? That's unexpected." He glanced at me, then extended his hand to Rival. "Nice to meet you."

When Rival looked at his hand and leaned back in his chair, I knew things were about to go left. “You heard her say husband, right?”

There was an awkward silence with Julian’s dumb ass still standing beside our table, clearly not processing what was happening, or maybe he didn’t care. "Yeah, I heard. So when did this happen? I don't recall seeing an announcement."

"It was a private ceremony. Just family."

"Very private considering I saw you at Bar London like what, two months ago? You damn sure didn’t have a ring then."

“Either you’re incredibly fucking stupid or you just want to ruin the rest of your week,” Rival said calmly.

“Nah, I’m just curious. Sail was never the commitment type when we were…” he trailed off and glanced at Rival before he finished, “acquainted.”

“Julian, you should leave.”

"Does he know about your little arrangement with the bartender at Levels? Or that weekend in Savannah with me and Davis? Or?—"

Rival was out of his seat so fast I barely processed what was happening until the woman near us screamed something about getting help. I blinked and pushed my chair back, almost falling over when I grabbed Rival’s arm mid-air to stop him from making contact with Julian’s face again. Based on the blood and swelling, he had already hit him multiple times.

“Rival, stop, please.”

He swung his eyes to me and the rage in them had me wanting to step back but this was assault and I had to get him out of here. He glared at Julian one last time who had crawled back and managed to stagger to his feet.

“You just might lose your first case, Sail. I’m gonna sue the shit out of that muthafucker.” Julian had a hand on his face but made the mistake of taking a step toward us.

"Walk the fuck away," Rival warned, his voice had me considering a quick escape. "Now."

Julian’s pride was crushed as he looked around but he had enough sense to leave.

“You're fucking crazy," Julian muttered, but he backed away, retreating toward the exit.

The restaurant had gone quiet and all eyes were on our table. Rival stood there for a moment, fists clenched at his sides before his eyes were on me again.

"We should go," I said quietly, signaling for the check.

Rival nodded with his jaw tight and eyes still fixed on the door Julian had exited through. The waiter hurried to our table, clearly just as ready for us to leave.

"Is everything alright? Can I get you anything else?"

"Just the check.”

He nodded but Rival had already tossed a hundred and three twenties on the table, which was more than enough to cover our forty-dollar meal.

Once we were back in his truck, an uncomfortable silence settled between us. Rival's body was tight with anger.

"You didn't have to do that," I finally said as we pulled away from the restaurant.

"Yes, the fuck I did."

"I can handle myself, Rival. I don't need you defending my honor like I’m fragile or…”

“You are my wife, Sailor, and that wasn’t about your damn honor. That was about respect. Basic human fucking decency."

"I get that but?—"

"But nothing, Sailor." Rival cut me off and the anger in his tone was thick. "He disrespected you. He disrespected us and I can promise you he won’t try that shit again."

"He could sue.”

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