Page 12 of Indigo

Michael pats down the non-existent wrinkles in his shirt, shrugs, feigning disinterest, though I can see the vein in his neck throbbing from here. “Look, honestly, she’s being a fucking bitch. She’s had a lot of wine and caused a scene in the middle of a lovely dinner, so I’d appreciate it if you could leave so I can take her home and attempt to fuck the stick out of her ass.”

I cringe at his words, and Pax takes me by surprise by throwing his head back, laughing so loudly that I jump a little, but as he lowers his gaze back to Michael, I realise there isn’t a single hint of humour in his expression. “Oh, I was hoping you’d say something like that.”

He clenches his fist by his side, steps forward, raising it, and before I can think about what I’m doing, I jolt forward and grab his forearm. He freezes the moment my palm makes contact with his skin.

“Pax, don’t,” I whisper.

-4-

PAXTON

DID SHE SERIOUSLYjust step in front of me and grab the arm I was about to swing at this asshole?

Her nails dig into my forearm slightly, and her touch is soft. Warm. She’s fucking trembling, but her eyes are pleading…

Is she protecting this motherfucker?

“Michael, leave,” she says harshly, not taking her eyes off me. “He isn’t worth it. He’ll call the cops,” she whispers, squeezing my arm gently before removing her hand, answering my question without me having to utter a word.

I stare at the tiny crescent moon marks she’s left on my skin and shake off the pang of disappointment that runs through me as she breaks contact.

When I left Lana’s earlier, I had no plan. Had no idea how this would all go down, I simply went home, googled the restaurant she’d mentioned, changed into something more appropriate and drove until I pulled into this parking lot.

I flirted with one of the waitresses to find out which table Michael had reserved and then sat in a spot that ensured I could watch them closely during dinner without being too obvious.

I couldn’t keep the smile off my face as Indie sat there, looking so fucking beautiful in her elegant black dress, while watching another couple across the room. She was always a people watcher, a habit she obviously hadn’t shaken since she left home. When her expression turned sour, I itched to get out of my chair and go to her, but the look disappeared as quickly as it came, replaced by indifference and then anger when facing the asshole sitting across from her.

When she stood up and stormed out of the restaurant, the way she carried herself made my chest swell with pride, and honestly, my dick ache a little from the way the fabric of her dress clung to those incredible curves, but then he got up and it took every ounce of self-control I had not to grab him and fucking murder him on the spot as he brushed past me to follow her. Going by the smell of alcohol that trailed behind him, I knew he was drunk, and my instinct to protect her reared its ugly head. I was running after them before I could think twice.

“Indigo, get inside. Now,” Michael barks, bringing me back to the situation at hand. I huff out a humourless laugh as she narrows her eyes at him.

Fuck, I’ve missed those eyes.

“Stupid bitch, don’t know why I even bother with your fat ass,” he mutters under his breath.

“What did you just fucking say?” I roar, turning fully now and taking a step toward him. Indie doesn’t stop me. “Talk to her like that again. Ifuckingdareyou,” I warn him through clenched teeth.

Immediately, his eyes widen with fear, and he takes a step back.

Alcohol gives people a certain amount of courage, it’s true, but even in his state, he’s not stupid enough to take me on.

“Get the fuck out of here. I won’t tell you again.”

He takes two steps back as I take another in his direction, raising his hand and pointing his index finger at me. Just as he opens his mouth, he trips on a rock, stumbles backwards, and sends himself ass-up, landing flat on his back with a groan.

I bark out a laugh, looking down at him and then the most beautiful giggle, one I haven’t heard in over four years, bursts fromher.I look at Indie, and when our eyes meet, she rolls her lips together, trying to contain her laughter, shoulders shaking slightly.

“You alright?” I ask.

She nods and runs one hand up her arm, the other is still firmly clutching her keys. I don’t miss the one protruding from between two of her fingers.

Good girl.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Thank you for stepping in. I had it under control though,” she says, widening her stance, raising her defences as if trying to prove herself to me.

“Oh, I have no doubt.” I reply, loving the amount of fight she has in her. Quickly glancing over at her ex, who is now stumbling away from us, typing on his phone, I add, “You’ve always had far more guts than someone your size should.”

Her eyes light up with indignation as I look back at her. “I’m going to take that as a compliment.”

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