Page 43 of Menace in Vegas

He swallows hard, his body shaking beneath mine.

I brace my forearm against his chest.

"You think you can fucking put your hands on her and walk away in one piece?"

His Adam’s apple bobs. "I—I didn’t mean?—"

"Shut up!”

His mouth snaps shut.

"You ever look at her again," I murmur, my voice like a slow-burning fire, “and I’ll break every one of your fingers."

His face drains of color.

"You understand me?"

He nods frantically.

I don’t move.

Not until I see the terror in his eyes.

When I do, satisfaction blooms inside me.

I shove him one last time before stepping back.

He avoids eye contact as he scurries away.

I watch his lanky form until I can’t see him anymore.

Only then do I turn my head, focusing on Allie.

She’s shaken.

She’s seen me cocky. Smug. Annoyed.

But she’s never seen me like this.

She’s never seen what happens when someone threatens what’s mine.

And yeah, she’smine.

She just doesn’t know it yet.

But she will.

Soon.

15

ALLISON

I’ve spent the entire trip poking the bear.

Today, he lost control.

The bear nearly ripped some guy apart in front of me.

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