Page 48 of Holly Ever After

I try to intervene, “Adam, I think you should—”

Adam looks at Sean as if sizing up an opponent. “I don't know what you think you're doing here, but Holly and I have a history.”

“And it's just that, history,” Sean fires back, cutting me off before I can speak.

“Who the hell are you to say that?” Adam snaps, his shoulders squaring.

“Sean,” I interject.

His eyes soften when they look down at me, but I can see the anger he’s holding by a thread swimming behind his last ounce of control.

He takes my chin, tipping my head back. “Yes, baby?”

He knows exactly what he’s doing.

I close my eyes and leave out a steadying breath before pleading in a whisper, “Please don’t.”

Adam takes a step forward. “Holly, who the fuck does this guy think he is?”

“I’m the guy who was about to hear her scream my name until you rudely interrupted.”

Oh, no.

“Fucking whore.” Adam’s eyes go wild with rage just before he shoves at Sean’s shoulders.

Sean might as well be a brick wall.

And then it happens.

“Sean, don’t—”

His fist connects with Adam’s nose. Blood instantly drips and stains the snow.

“Where’s your manners?” Sean hisses, taking Adam by the collar to straighten him before dusting snow off his shoulders. “It’s a pet peeve of mine when men don’t have manners toward women.”

Really?

Is he serious right now?

“Sean, stop it.”

He looks at me, his eyes a turbulent mix of worry and unresolved anger. “I’m getting you out of here.”

I shake my head, my voice quivering but resolute. “I need to talk to him.”

His jaw sets, muscles tensing visibly. “The last thing you need to do is to talk to him.”

Ignoring the biting cold that seeps through my ill-advised outfit, I stand my ground. “I have to put an end to this. Go back inside.”

He hesitates, his eyes flicking between Adam, who's still nursing his bleeding nose, and me.

“Sean, please. Just go. I don't need a bodyguard. He won't hurt me.”

His head shakes as if wrestling with himself. “Not a risk I’m willing to take.”

Exasperated, I snap, “Will you stop playing the knight in shining armor? This is not about you.”

A flicker of hurt crosses his eyes as he takes a step back. “Fine,” he mutters, but not before he tilts my head back with his knuckles. I’ve noticed it’s a thing he does, always wanting to meet my eyes, and I’m starting to like it. “You need me, you know where I am. And for fuck’s sake, call me, Holly, so I know you’re alright.”

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