Page 53 of Menace in Vegas

I slam the door behind me and turn around, scanning the street.

Finally, I spot her.

She’s across the street, clutching her coffee cup. She’s tense and walking fast.

She glances over her shoulder, and I follow her gaze.

There’s a guy following behind her.

He’s too close.

His eyes locked on her like he’s already decided she’s his.

The thought alone makes my vision blur with rage.

I don’t think.

I don’t hesitate.

I sprint across the street.

Her wide, terrified eyes lock with mine.

She sags with relief.

“Connor,” she breathes.

But I don’t stop.

I barrel past her and I barrel past her and slam into the guy, grabbing him by the collar and slamming him against a thrift shop wall so hard the glass trembles.

“Connor!” Allie’s voice is frantic, but it’s a faint echo behind the roaring in my ears.

My blood is pounding so hard, I can’t hear anything but the roar of my fury.

The guy’s eyes widen, his panic bleeding into every line of his face.

Good.

He should be afraid.

I press my forearm against his throat, shoving hard enough to make him gasp.

“You think you can follow her?”My voice is a lethal rasp.

“Wait, man?—”

“Shut the fuck up.”I slam him harder against the wall. The brick bites into his back, and his eyes go glassy with pain.

“You think you can put that look on her face?”I hiss, my voice dripping with venom.

The terror in her eyes.

The way her shoulders hunched, like she was bracing for something awful.

This fucker did that.

My grip tightens. “Takes one second to snap a bone.” My voice low and dark. “One second. Should I show you?”