Page 20 of Coco and the Misfits

“But aren’t guys what we came here for?” June points out. “And girls, for those into girls.” She gives a discreet cough. “Right?”

Who is she talking about? Is she into girls? I frown. My brain is too busy to compute right now. I mean, how did I miss it? She’s my bestie.

I raise my glass. “To us girls. To being the best friends and the craziest bitches in town.”

“To us!” Gigi lifts her glass and nudges Ruby who giggles some more.

“Dear God,” June sighs, “we’ll have to carry her home. And in these heels!”

Indeed. I hadn’t counted on carrying a drunk girl home when I chose my strappy sandals. Thoughtfully, I drink and twirl my long necklace. Tonight isn’t shaping up the way I had expected, although...

Well, I met alphas. And they appeared kind of interested. So I’ll take that as a win, and now...

“Come on, girls,” I say. “Let’s dance!”

“Wasn’t there a bartender you used to like working here?” June yells in my ear as we gyrate on the small dance floor.

“Not really!” I yell back, lying because I’m determined to get this evening back on track. “See anything pretty?”

“I’m seeing plenty!”

Fair enough. The place is packed tonight and soon enough, June is dancing with a tall, blond beta. He reminds me of Zach and that won’t do, so after scanning the dancing crowd one last time, I head back toward the bar and the other two girls.

But before I take five steps, a hand grabs my arm and swings me around until I come face-to-face with two bulky guys in too-tight tops and pants. Is ugly-grinning a thing? Because those grins are definitely ugly.

“Hey, let go.” I try to pry his hand off but he’s much stronger than me. Dammit, I should have gone to Zach’s martial arts classes for real.

“Heard you talking to your friends earlier. I think you’re looking for a good time,” the guy still gripping me says, “and we’re going to give it to you.”

“Get off me, you ass!” As it sinks in that the guys start pulling me away from the bar, I start to struggle in earnest. “Let me go!”

I’m yelling, but the din of the bar covers any noise I’m making. The jostling of the crowd masks my struggles. The reality of my situation is becoming apparent.

As they drag me toward the bar’s rear exit, I start kicking and scratching and grabbing at the people around me.

The guy holding me curses. “Grab her!”

The other guy slaps a hand over my mouth, and I gag at his scent. It’s putrid. He grabs my other side, too, and together they lift me off the floor, carrying me between them.

I struggle. My long necklace breaks, beads spilling. Twisting, I bite at the guy’s stinky hand and the moment his grip relaxes, I scream again.

This time, a girl turns around, eyes widening. She hesitates, though, maybe thinking it’s a spat between lovers, or a game.

We’re still moving away from the bar, away from my friends, and I’m caught in a nightmare?—

“Stop! Stop those men! Coco!” I almost sob in relief as a familiar bearded alpha shoves his way through, pushing people aside as if they’re straw figures, his bulky shoulders clearing the space around him. “Stop!”

Atticus.

“Where do you think you’re going with her?” the silver fox of an alpha snarls and grabs the guy who’s keeping me quiet. He throws him away from me as if he’s a toy.

Holy shit.

Then he rips the other guy off me and throws such a punch to his face, the man goes down like a sack of potatoes.

Just when my knees go out, he snags me and swings me up in his arms.

“Coco. Are you all right?” His growly voice drops so low I feel it in my bones. His eyes are like crystals from up close, his face cut from rock, every line defined and strong. The crow’s feet at the corners of his eyes are sexy, too.

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