Page 11 of Their Forever

I glanced over and found two attractive Italian men raising their glasses in our direction. Kelsey’s cheeks turned as pink as her hair, but Jayme boldly flipped her platinum blonde locks over one shoulder and shot them a coy smile.

I grinned at my saucy friend. I wouldn’t hold her back, but I needed rest before the big day. And I was already missing my men, even though I loved spending time with my girls.

“You two enjoy the prosecco,” I urged with a giggle. “And the men. I’m going to get some sleep.”

Jayme snorted. “Right. Sleep. I’m sure that’s what you’ll be doing with your smoking-hot fiancés once you get back to your fancy suite.”

I flushed but laughed, not minding her teasing one bit. Not when it was totally accurate.

Kelsey’s brow furrowed, and she dragged her attention away from the handsome men who’d bought the bottle of prosecco for us. “But you can’t walk back alone. We’ll come with you.”

“I’ll text Marco to meet me outside,” I promised. “The hotel is only five minutes away. He’ll get here quickly, and we’ll walk together.”

It was only a short walk, but I knew better than to try to go alone. My men would not be happy with me. They worried about my safety to an almost unhealthy degree. I didn’t want to cause them any concern.

“Okay, we’ll see you tomorrow.” Jayme winked at me. “Try to get some rest.”

Laughing, I hugged my friends and left them to enjoy the prosecco and male company. As I walked past the crowded dancefloor to the exit, I reached into my purse to get my phone, intending to text Marco, as I’d promised.

Sweaty hands snagged my waist, spanning my lower back as I was yanked toward the dancefloor. I stumbled on my high heels, and the man who’d grabbed me swayed. He reeked of beer and was clearly unsteady on his feet. I pressed my hands against his chest and tried to shove away from him. His arms tightened around me, and his stale breath was hot on my neck as he leaned in to talk in my ear.

“Dance with me.” Grasping hands sank into my hips, pulling me against him. Something hard pressed into my belly, and my stomach turned.

“Let me go.” My demand was breathless, my throat closing as a remembered fear response took hold of my body. For an awful moment, I felt Gabriel Costa’s merciless hands pinning me down, intent on violating me while I watched Joseph bleed out.

A choked cry left my chest when his groping hands were wrenched away from me. Another pair of strong arms closed around me from behind, hauling me away. I gasped for air and writhed in their iron hold, desperate to escape.

“It’s me, angel,” Joseph promised, nuzzling my hair. “I’ve got you.”

I sighed his name and melted against him, but my relief was quickly swamped by alarm. Marco’s fist smashed into the creep’s face, and my assailant dropped onto the dancefloor. Shocked shouts echoed over the thrumming music, and the crowd stepped back. Blood dripped from the man’s split lips, but he shook his head hard and tried to stand. He didn’t make it to a sitting position before swaying and dropping back to the floor with a groan.

Two burly bouncers shoved their way through the crowd, coming for Marco. I tugged against Joseph’s hold, trying to go to him before he beat the man to a bloody pulp. The strong bands of his corded arms held me fast, keeping me away from the creep.

“Marco!” I called out, my voice ragged and desperate. He froze at the distress in my tone, as though I’d bound him with rope to hold him back.

His huge frame practically vibrated with rage and unspent aggression.

“Don’t,” I begged. I couldn’t allow him to get arrested for assault. It looked like he might’ve already broken the man’s jaw.

The bouncers arrived and got between Marco and my assailant, blocking his path and shoving at his chest. Marco didn’t so much as sway at the impact, his bulky body a solid wall in front of me.

“That bastard grabbed my wife,” Marco snarled, his hands clenched to fists at his sides.

A keen mix of shock and love pierced my heart.Wife.My men had never called me that before. We weren’t married yet, but that didn’t seem to matter to my fierce Daddy. I was his, and he would do anything to protect me.

One of the bouncers looked past Marco at me, taking in my pale cheeks and trembling hands. He turned narrowed eyes on Marco. “Get out. I don’t want to see you in here again.”

Marco’s muscles rippled, and he didn’t back down. Alarm thrilled through me.

“I need you, Marco,” I pleaded. I couldn’t let him get arrested.

Instantly, he was in front of me, his dark eyes filling my world. His big hands cupped my cheeks, and his gaze searched mine. He scowled at the fear that radiated from me.

“We have to go,” Joseph told him. “Let’s get her out of here.”

“What’s going on?” Jayme asked, her worried tone snagging my attention. “Ashlyn, are you okay?”

My friends hadn’t seen the man grab me, but the altercation had alerted everyone in the bar.

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