Page 182 of Pucking Strong

Jake rounds on him. “You got a fucking death wish, asshole? ’Cause with a snap of my fingers, my guys let Karlsson go to finish your drunk ass.”

“No,” I plead, adding my hands to the ones holding Henrik at bay.

“I can take him,” Corey slurs. “I could take any of you pansy-ass bitches—”

“Jake, he’s sorry,” Ryder says over him, pulling him away. “If not now, he will be in the morning.”

“He’s dead,” Jake growls. “Clean him up, and get him out of here, Ry.”

With a nod, Ryder shoves Corey into the bathroom, slamming the door shut.

As soon as the Hawks are gone, Jake lets out a breath. “For fuck’s sake. Seriously, guys? Bar brawling on karaoke night in our own backyard?”

Tears fill my eyes at the look of rage on Henrik’s face. “We shouldn’t have come. I knew Corey would be here. I just thought he wouldn’t care enough to do or say anything stupid. I was wrong.”

Jake raises a brow at me. “You and Lamont have history?”

“Barely,” I mutter, chest filling with white-hot shame.

He sighs, nodding to the guys to let Henrik go.

Hunter and Flash loosen their hold on him.

I step in. “Jake, someone said they were calling the police. Please, Henrik can’t get arrested. We have Karro—our custody case—”

“It won’t come to that,” he replies, squeezing my shoulder.“Straighten up,” he says at Henrik. “You and Teddy will walk out with us. Get to the parking lot and keep going. Don’t say a word to anyone, understand? Just go home.”

Henrik nods, running his hands through his mussed hair and straightening his shirt.

“I’ll come back and deal with Lamont. We’ll put the fear of god in him to keep his mouth shut. It’ll be fine.” He turns to the other defensemen. “Paulie, Flash, stay with them.”

The guys both nod.

“I can go too,” says Hunter.

Jake shakes his head. “Sorry, man. You’re way too valuable if this turns into a brawl in the parking lot.”

“It won’t,” I assure them all. “We’ll go straight home.” I look to Henrik, heart in my throat. “Right, babe?” I hold out my hand, desperate for him to take it.

After a moment’s hesitation, he does, his fingers wrapping possessively around mine as he reels me in. I let myself be pulled, not stopping until my arm is around his waist, face tucked in at his shoulder. I fight the urge to cry, clinging to him. God, I think I’m trembling.

Paulie leads the way with Hunter. Henrik and I follow. The other two take up the rear. The dining room is ready for us. Half the room is looking our way. Some people are standing. There are definitely phones out. A few of them flash. Henrik tucks me in tighter at his side, trying to shield me.

“Just keep walking,” Jake says from behind us. “Don’t look at them. Smile and keep walking.”

The crowd buzzes like a hive as the karaoke music outside hums. The whole building feels like it vibrates with an excited energy that doesn’t match our somber group. Henrik keeps me tucked in tight at his side as we walk right through the restaurant, past the hostess stand, and out the front doors into the parking lot.

Jake and Hunter wait under the lights of the front porch as Paulie and Flash walk with us out to the car. All three men have their heads on swivels, looking for more trouble.

“Where’d you park?” says Flash.

“Back of the lot,” Henrik replies, guiding me that way. We get to the Porsche, and he opens my door, not letting me go until I’m safely inside. I can’t hear what he says to the others before he opens his door and slides in, closing it with a snap.

The sounds of the karaoke band filter out on the night ocean breeze. It sounds like Caleb is singing a Billy Idol song. I feel like I’m outside of my body, not really part of this moment. The car purrs as Henrik puts it in reverse. With two quick turns, we’re rolling down the A1A highway.

“Henrik, I’m sorry,” I finally blurt.

“Don’t.”

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