Page 16 of Trigger

“You’re lucky if you leave with your face intact,” I growled.“Let’s go, Shel.”

“Yeah, that’s our Trigger,” Adam sneered. “A man ofcontradictions. Pretty face, but an ugly soul. Isn’t that right… killer?”

I felt a wave of scorching heat rushing through me as my visionfilled with red. I hurled myself at the table to reach the scarred bastard whenpowerful arms wrapped around my chest, holding me in place. I tried to freemyself, but they held me with surprising ease and almost… gently. Then I feltthe soft lips brushing against my earlobe, followed by a whisper and a dash ofmint.

“Not worth it.”

It was probably the sheer size of the massive body behind minethat gave me pause. It may have shocked me, even. Then I felt a thumb on mychest moving in slow, steady circles—round and round and round. Unexpectedly,it made some of my rage go away. Usually, a few guys were needed to subdue me,but this time, the soothing movements of a thumb sufficed. My vision was stilltinted with red, but at least I could breathe again.

“Let’s go, Shel,” I said through my teeth, pushing Thorsen away.“I need some fresh air.”

Thorsen pulled a crumpled bill out of his pocket and stood up.“I’ll take you. My car’s outside.”

I laughed. “Sure you are.”

That guy was hilarious; I had to give him that.

“You don’t have a functioning car,” he said, tossing a piece ofgum into his mouth. “Shelly is drunk. I’m taking you home.”

“You have been drinking, too, brainiac.”

“I’ve had one beer and too many lemonades. My bladder issuffering, but I can drive just fine.”

So, he wasn’t drunk, just as I suspected. It was just anotherfacade.

“We’ll take an Uber,” I said, refusing to back down.

“Christ don’t be such an idiot!” he snapped, making everyone lookat him.

His unexpected outburst made my ears burn because he was usually achill guy.Fuck.

“I like him,” Shelly slurred, swaying on her feet. “Your partner.I like him.”

“You like everyone, Shel,” I said with a sigh.

“But I like you more. You know that, right?”

“As I said, you like everyone. Let’s go home.”

In the end, I gave in. What else was I supposed to do witheveryone at the table staring at us and enjoying the show?

“Come here, sweetheart,” Thorsen said, wrapping his arm aroundShelly’s waist. “It’s better if I help you. I don’t have a jealous girlfriend.”

And there it was, that regret. Why did I even come here? So hecould make fun of me? So Adam could provoke me? So everyone could stare at me,waiting for me to lose it?

Nah, I was done with that.

I wasdone.

After we dropped Shelly at her place, Thorsen drove me to mine. Igave him my address reluctantly, but I was so damn exhausted that I just wantedthis evening to end.

“Why is Adam goading you?” Thorsen asked me, keeping his eyes onthe road.

I barked a harsh laugh. “I’m easy to goad if you haven’t noticed.”

He shook his head. “No, there’s more to it than that.”

I closed my eyes, suppressing the need to slam my head against theheadrest.

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