Page 84 of Freshmeet
“Bullshit,” Connor growled, slamming the guy into the brick wall.
“Connor, I don’t think—” I glanced at the crowd forming around us. The door to the Welkum opened, and people trickled out.
Connor ignored me, snatching the guy’s backpack and throwing it to the ground. An unzipped black case fell out, and metal tools scattered across the sidewalk. “Want to try again?”
The man’s eyes went wide. “Look, I?—”
Connor pulled back his arm and then rammed his fist into the guy’s face. Once. Twice. Three times. “What if my girl was there alone?” His fist landed with a sick thud to the man’s stomach.
My girl.
My heartbeat thumped in my ears as I watched Connor’s bare chest heave with heavy breaths as he loomed over the guy. Every muscle in his body was tense, ready to spring into action.
The beaten man glanced at me, and Connor roughly grabbed his face, jerking his attention back to him. “You don’t look at her, you sick fuck. You saw enough upstairs.”
“I didn’t see anything,” the guy said, his words a bit garbled as if Connor had broken his jaw.
Connor leaned in, nose to nose, and said something I couldn’t hear over the murmuring crowd, but the man paled.
“Hey, what’s going on?” someone shouted.
Carter and Duncan shoved through the crowd. When they got to my side, Duncan gave me a cautious smile before turning to Connor. “Hey man, I think he’s had enough.”
“Stay out of it,” Connor barked, not sparing Duncan a look.
Police sirens sliced through the air, and the onlookers grew excited.
With balls of steel, Carter placed a hand on Connor’s shoulder. “Why don’t you let him go before the cops get here?”
Connor glared at Carter, but Carter didn’t back down. If anything, he moved closer. “Be smart.”
Slamming the guy against the wall one last time, Connor let him go, and he dropped to the sidewalk, holding his side.
The cops broke up the crowd, quickly taking statements and arresting the would-be burglar.
“Thanks for helping,” I said to the guys as we watched the police get in their cars.
“No problem. Connor’s a good guy. I’d hate to see him get mixed up with the cops,” Carter said, smiling down at his phone.
Connor crossed the street, flexing his hands. When he reached us, he pulled me to him, hugging me tightly.
“You good?” Carter asked, his face twisting with concern.
“Fine.” Connor’s heart raced under my ear.
“Are you sure?” I asked, gazing up at his severe expression.
Connor gave me a terse nod and let go. “I need to get cleaned up.” He stared down at his busted knuckles.
The sight of blood on his skin made my stomach lurch. “Let me help you,” I said softly, taking his elbow. Glancing at Carter and Duncan, I gave them a tight-lipped smile. “I’m going to take him upstairs.”
A frown flashed across their faces before smoothing into pleasant smiles.
“See you guys later.”
“Have a good night,” Duncan said with a wave.
Silently, we went back to Connor’s apartment.
