Page 93 of No Rings Attached
She popped her head out from under the table with pieces of cake in her hands. “I don’t know. Outside maybe? I doubt he went to help his fiancé.” Pen didn’t mask her derision in the slightest.
If Kyle wasn’t here and Ellie hadn’t made it back inside … My eyes flicked to the door.
“Why don’t you go check on her,” Penny encouraged. “I’ve got it handled.”
With a quick nod of thanks, I strode out the door. The night air hit my lungs like ice water. It had gotten cool since the sun went down. The sky was dark, only lit up by the glow of the old-fashioned streetlamps stretching shadows across the sidewalk every twenty feet.
“Enough,Kyle,” Ellie’s voice carried, tight and low, but steady.
I snapped my head left, then right. Nothing. My heart pounded faster, a drumbeat that drove me forward. The thought of that asshole anywhere near her had my fists curling before I even saw him.
“I know you’re with him to make me jealous.” Kyle’s voice, smug and sharp, sliced through the night. My stomach dropped.
The sound came from the alley to my left. Without hesitation, my feet ate up the distance.
Red sheeted my vision the second I turned the corner.
Ellie’s back was pressed against the rough brick wall, her chin lifted high, even as Kyle had her caged within his arms.
My chest seized at the sight. She looked trapped.
And I promised myself she’d never feel that way again.
Kyle leaned in, his lips hovering above hers. “And it’s working. When I saw his fucking hands on you, touching you … ”
Over my dead fucking body.
“Get your disgusting mouth away from me,” Ellie spat, jerking her head away. Her voice was sharp, but her hands gave her away, trembling by her side.
Brave. Fierce. Mine.
I didn’t think—I moved. My hand clamped on the back of Kyle’s collar, yanking him off of her. He stumbled, his back slamming into the opposite wall with a thud that sang to the savage part of me. “Keep your fucking hands off my girlfriend.” My voice was low, lethal. The kind of tone that promised I’d finish what I started.
“What the hell, man. I can’t help it if she’s still into me.” Kyle smirked, and a fiery inferno of anger surged through my veins.
I jammed my forearm into his neck and pressed him into the wall. His eyes bulged and he gasped for breath. I hoped he felt even a fraction of the fear Ellie had when he assaulted her. My fist raised, every nerve screaming to break his face.
Ellie’s fingers wrapped around my bicep, halting me. “He’s not worth it.”
“He shouldn’t have had his hands on you,” I growled, chest heaving.
She kissed my knuckles—once, twice. Her lips were soft, steadying, and damn near broke me in half. “You’re right. He shouldn’t have touched me without my permission. ButIcan tell him that.”
My gaze locked with Kyle’s. He flinched at the fury in my stare, but I let Ellie work her magic on my hand and slowly released the pressure on Kyle’s neck.
He drew in a deep breath, his fingers running along his Adam’s apple.
Ellie’s lips continued to brush each of my fingers as she uncurled them from the fist I’d wanted to drive into his jaw. I forced my lungs to drag in air, body coiled tight ready to protect her, but also wanting to acknowledge her strength.
She stepped out from behind me—not away from my protection, but into her own power—and I’d never wanted her more. She straightened her shoulders and jabbed a finger at Kyle.
“What is wrong with you?” Her voice rang clear.
“Now, Ellie—” He threw up his hands in mock surrender.
“Ellie,nothing,” she spat. “If youeverlay a hand on me or corner me like that again, I’ll press charges. I don’t want you, Kyle. If anything I want you even less every second I stand here.”
Kyle’s smirk faltered.
