Page 108 of Follow the Rhythm
Of course, it was her. It annoyed me I hadn't realized it earlier. She had access to Ellis’s phone, his email, everything.
Those realizations occurred in the rational part of my brain, while the baser part erupted into some kind of primal rage. My inner Omega stretched, preparing for a fight.
Bea was threateningmyAlpha. No one threatened what was mine and got away with it.
I didn’t realize I was growling until Bea turned to look at me. She looked bewildered.
My hand shot out to grab her wrist, and I yanked her closer until her face was right next to mine. “This isyourlast chance to get the fuck out of here before I lose my temper.”
She laughed, a high, tinkling sound. “Is this supposed to scare me?”
Red was hazing the edge of my vision. I was growling again.
“Jess, she’s not worth it,” Ellis said, his voice registering only dimly. Charlie had his hand on my back, but I shrugged it off.
Bea tried to tug her wrist out of my grip. I squeezed tighter. Fear was dawning in her eyes. “Let go of me! Are you mad?”
“Unfortunately for you, yes. He ismine. Do you understand?” I asked.
“You can bloody have him! I just want what’s owed to me,” she said, still fighting my grip.
I ground her wrist in my hand, and she winced. “He owes you nothing.Weowe you nothing. Do whatever the fuck you want, butyoumeannothingto us.”
Bea squinted with malice. “I’m just trying to get the truth out there. Did you know your precious Ellis is a killer?”
Before I could think, I released her wrist, cocked my arm back, and punched her square in the mouth.
She reeled backwards in her chair, more from shock than from the force of my punch. A small bead of bright red blood welled at the corner of her mouth, the same color as her dress. “What thefuck?” she squealed.
I didn’t reply. I just moved toward her again, my fist still raised. She scrambled out of her chair.
“Is there a problem?” our waiter asked, appearing as if by magic.
“Yes! She attacked me!” Bea said, her finger pointed at me.
I put on my best sad-Omega face. “I’m so sorry to have caused a scene. This woman is a crazed fan, and she’s been stalking us for months,” I said, making my voice breathy and broken.
“What? You lying bitch!” Bea yelled, moving towards me.
“Ma’am, please control yourself. I need to ask you to leave.” The waiter stepped between us. “This is a private dining club, and we don’t allow this kind of disruption.”
Charlie and Ellis stood, Charlie in front to shield me, and Ellis behind my chair, his hands on my shoulders. Bea stared at us for a moment, hatred written on every line of her face. I grinned and winked at her before assuming my kicked-puppy expression.
“Ma’am. Do I need to call the police?” the waiter asked. Two large men had appeared, looking politely threatening, obviously there to escort her out. The other diners were also watching intently, and I couldn’t blame them. We’d certainly caused a scene.
“No, that won’t be necessary,” she answered, trying to look dignified as the security guards flanked her. “I’ll leave. Gladly.”
Her poisonous look was wasted on us. It didn’t matter what she did now. I’d be there to protect Ellis.
The waiter apologized profusely and comped our dinner for the inconvenience.
“Thanks, man,” Charlie said, shaking his hand. “We’re sorry about all this. We’ll head out too.”
I stood on shaky legs. Now that Bea was gone, the adrenaline was fading, but I still felt keyed up and antsy. A pounding headache was developing above my right eye. The waiter nodded and showed us out towards the elevator.
“I’m sorry if I embarrassed you or anything,” I said while we waited for the doors to open. I felt a little nauseous, or maybe just anxious. “But no one gets to threaten you like that. Any of you.”
The elevator chimed. As soon as the doors closed, Ellis pulled me into his arms. His scent was dizzying in the close space. “You incredible, fierce creature,” he whispered in my ear. His hands skated down my spine, then to my hips. “You can defend my honor anytime you like.”
