Page 52 of Rematch
She finally stopped struggling. Averting her eyes, she said, “Now, don’t do that…”
I released her wrists with a scoff. “Yeah, that’s what I thought. He keeps fucking around, and he’ll get his fingers broken for touching my girl.”
“I amnotyour girl!” She yelled as her gaze returned to me. “And I haven’t been for a long time!”
“Yeah, you say that, but you’re still wearing my diamond around your neck.”
She looked down at her necklace. I gave it to her for her sixteenth birthday. I’d saved up every dollar I had to buy it for her. I’ll never forget the look on her face, eyes wide with awe and lips parted with surprise, when I popped the box open and presented it to her. I always knew she deserved the world, but in that moment, I knewIneeded to be the one who gave it to her.
Her fingers curled around the gem and for a moment I feared she was about to rip it off. Instead, she clasped her fingers tight around it and gave me a harsh glare. “My best friend gave methis.” She pressed both of her hands against my chest and gave me a strong shove, finally succeeding in putting some space between us. “When you find him, let me know.”
Her words struck me across the face, and I stared at her as if she slapped me. I would’ve preferred that pain over the one erupting in my chest. I knew I wasn’t the same person I was when we were together, but hearing she didn’t see me in the same light - as her friend, her love - felt like someone ripping my heart out of my chest.
“I’ll always be your best friend,” I said, lowering my voice. I cupped her face and pulled her close. “No amount of distance or time will ever change that.”
Audrey’s eyes softened at the abrupt change in my tone. Her lips opened and closed as if she wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words. Her eyes flicked over my shoulder and, though they weren’t the ones she was searching for, some finally came out. “Max, watch out!”
I looked over my shoulder to see Carter charging towards me, eyes wild and his fist cocked back. Quickly, I grabbed Audrey and moved both of us out of the way.
His fist sliced through the empty air, and he growled in frustration when it missed. Turning his angry eyes toward me, he swung again and said, “You wanna sneak me, you motherfucker?”
I dodged his fist. As his arm came reeling back, I saw an opening and punched him square in his face. He stumbled backwards, and I kicked him with all my strength in his stomach. The blow sent him flying onto the ground. I would’ve jumped on top of him and punched his face until it was unrecognizable, but Audrey flew in front me.
“Don’t,” she pleaded. She lay her hands on my chest to keep me at bay. “Please, don’t hurt him.”
“Let him go, Audrey,” Carter said as he rose to his feet. He smirked around the blood dripping down his lip. “He’s asking for a fight, so I’ll give him one.”
“No!” Audrey yelled. “I’m not letting the two of you kill each other!”
I scoffed. “Don’t give him too much credit. The only one who’ll be in the ground is him.”
The smirk on Carter’s face fell and something dark flickered in his eyes. “Is that a challenge, Guerra?”
“That’s a fucking promise.”
Carter started towards me again.
Audrey moved from in front of me and stopped him. “No, no, no, please,” she said. She cupped his face in her palms. “Look at me.Lookat me. Don’t do this.”
His lips curled in annoyance as he glanced down at her. He wrapped his hands around her arms and started to swing her. “Girl, get the fuck out-” His words were cut short by the clicking sound of the security latch on my gun.
I really didn’t want to pull it out. Not in front of Audrey. But, I damn sure wasn’t going to sit here and watch him toss her aside like a bag of trash.
“Go ahead,” I warned. “Toss her. There will be a bullet in your head before she even hits the ground.”
Carter’s expression didn’t waver. His grimace deepened, and for a second, I thought he was going to be dumb enough to try me. But, at the sound of the clicks of guns behind him, he reconsidered his options.
He glanced over his shoulders at Tysir and Wesley, standing at either side of him, guns drawn and ready to back up whatever I was going to do. His nostrils flared as his chest rose and fell.
Glaring at me, he released Audrey’s arms and took a step back. “Fine. I’ll respect her wishes. For tonight.” He looked at Audrey. “Let’s go, babe.”
Audrey’s wide eyes were flicking between the gun in my hand and the ones in my men’s. Moisture glistened against her amber eyes, and her lips twitched, struggling not to tremble.
I wished I could lower it. Tell Tysir and Wesley to stand down. Let her know she didn’t have to be afraid. But, I didn’t trust the asshole standing on the other side of her. The only reason he was still breathing was because of her. Had she been three feet away with an obscured view, I would’ve already put more than a few bullets in his head.
“Babe,” Carter called for her again.
Her watery eyes flicked from the gun to mine.
