Page 65 of The Protégé

Rage coiled in me, but I contained it.

I wrapped an arm around Elena’s waist, pulling her to my side. “It’s best that you keep your hands away from my woman. Understand me?”

A muscle twitched in his face as he looked at Elena. “You should’ve said you were dating someone.”

She slipped her arm around me and placed her head on my shoulder, playing along. “You never gave me the chance. When a woman says no, listen to her if she has a man or not.” She rose to her toes and placed a gentle kiss on my cheek.

“Apologize,” I told him. “A decent man would apologize to a woman he inadvertently disrespected.”

He hesitated, but people were now staring at us.

“It’s in your best interest. We’re all here to support charity. That should be our only mission, correct?”

He flared his nostrils and faced Elena. “Sorry for any disrespect I may have shown you. It wasn’t my intention.”

Then he stalked off. Sam was probably fuming from the humiliation. A callous man like him would retaliate somehow.

Taking Elena home was all I wanted to focus on tonight.

I sent Ralph a text saying I’d catch up with him later. He replied okay and told me the judge’s wife arrived to find him kissing the girl. Ralph said he made an anonymous call to the wife. He also called in a different news station so they could get the scoop rather than alerting Chantel.

I gripped her hand in mine, leading her out to the car. Though she tried to appear calm, I sensed the nerves in her.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” I asked once she settled into my car.

“Yeah. Thanks for helping me.”

“I have a lot of questions for you.”

“I know.” She sighed.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“Not tonight.” She looked exhausted.

“Okay. I’ll take you home. But I’d like to know what you and Sam Donatello discussed.”

“Why?”

“He’s not a good man, and I didn’t like the way he made you scowl.”

A small smile appeared on her face, making me feel better already.

Her phone rang, and she dug into her purse. “Hi, Elliot. I’m okay. What do you mean?” She paused, listened, and then smiled. “Orion was just trying to protect me. I can’t believe people are already starting rumors about us.” She shifted in her seat. “The guy was an asshole. You were busy. I know youwould’ve helped. Don’t worry about it, you goof. I’m fine. Really. Orion’s taking me home. You are?”

I’d be lying if I said I weren’t jealous of her close relationship with Elliot. I didn’t care if he was gay. He was a man, and all men were my enemies now.

Fuck.What was going on with me? At this rate I’d be jealous if I saw her sitting next to a tree. This was getting out of control.

I grunted at this change in me.

Her free hand was on the seat, and I clasped it in mine while I drove to her house. If she didn’t want me to take her hand, she would have yanked it away. Her hand relaxed in mine, followed by her body as she leaned into the seat while speaking to Elliot.

Elliot said something to her, and she smiled. “It’s exciting news! I’m so happy for you. Have fun in Milan, and don’t forget to come back.” She laughed and ended the call.

“How did you meet Elliot?” I squeezed her hand.

She glanced at our joined hands and examined them for a moment. “We grew up together. I met him in elementary school. Being minorities, we stood out and were often picked on. So we became friends.”

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