Page 25 of Ghost Note

“Let me in, Rhett.”

“Not on my watch, Silver. Jules will have my balls for earrings.”

The white shirt came into view first before Danny stepped inside, forcing Rhett backwards, with his eyes narrowed and his strong jaw tight.

“You really don’t want to do this,” Rhett warned him.

“None of you have any idea what I want.”

“I’m trying to help here.”

“You can help by getting the fuck out of my way.”

Danny’s voice sounded so different now—worn and broken, but older and somehow strong. His head lifted above Rhett, and he looked around the pub, his eyes finally landing on me and Ben… who happened to look like cosy lovers curling together to whisper sweet nothings in each other’s ears.

Danny’s body went rigid, and it only took a second for the fire in his eyes to spark alight, and for him to reach up and push Rhett back.

Rhett stumbled two steps, letting go of Danny before he growled and bit down on one fist, and he closed his eyes. “Count to ten. You’re a father now. Never hit a friend. Do not hit a friend,” Rhett said to himself before he shook out his arms and he stretched his neck.

I was focused on Danny, though, who was eyeing Ben like he wanted to eat him alive. Danny had never been a fighter. He’d always been my rock who could have taken anyone. The strong sports enthusiast who had muscles in places people like me didn’t know muscles could grow. But he’d never needed to throw a punch or defend himself because everyone had always loved and respected Danny.

Wholesome Danny Silver, with the good family, the good reputation, and that damn good surfer’s and skater’s body.

Now, he was unrecognisable, and I had to swallow down the lump of disgusting desire that flamed to life when I saw him looking at me like… that…

He didn’t deserve a second of my attention.

Turning away, I dropped my head back to the seat and tugged on Ben’s hand. His eyes were wide when he turned back to me, somewhat unsure now. He searched my face, while I just stared at him like he was some kind of anchor, praying Danny didn’t say anything.

“Fine,” I heard Rhett call out. “You get one drink and that’s it. One drink, and then I’m carrying you home. Whether that’s consciously or unconsciously, I’ll let you decide.”

I didn’t look up from Ben, but from the scraping of the bar stools on the hardwood floor, I could imagine where they’d planted themselves. Right in front of me.

“You want to get out of here?” Ben asked.

Yes.

I needed to get away now more than ever.

But I was a stubborn woman at times, and this wasmyvillage, and this wasmylocal pub, so I wasn’t going anywhere. If Danny thought he could waltz back in here and do whatever the hell he wanted again, he had another thing coming.

He may have been a rock star to the world, but to me, he was just Danny Silver.

The man who no longer deserved an ounce of my damn respect.

The boy who’d turned this warm-hearted girl cold.

Maybe he was here so I could finally make him pay.

“Actually… I think I’ll stay.”

* * *

An hour wore on, and apart from a few women walking by and trying to flirt with Danny and Rhett—to which Rhett had put a no-fuss stop to—I’d used most of my willpower trying not to look up. But I could feel Danny’s stares every time he turned on his stool and glanced over his shoulder at Ben and me. Call me an arsehole, but I kept on smiling as much as I could just to piss him off. I wanted him to suffocate from my happiness, no matter how fake it may have been. I wanted him to hear my laughter, see my cheeks flush, and I wanted him to dream about pushing his hands through my hair the way I kept doing every time Ben said something funny.

The drinks were flowing, and I was on my third very large wine.

Dangerous territory was only a footstep away.

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