Page 113 of I Promise You
What does he want me to say? Nothing happened. We had a movie night as friends.It was innocentdespite his confessionsto me.
I never did anything to hurt Danny. I would never hurt Danny after everything that we’ve been through.
Kane has always been there for me since the day Paul died. The least I could do for him is be the ears to listen.
“Kane,” I hiss, stuttering drunkenly over my words. My hands turn into fists, and I’m burning with frustration. I will not get into the middle of this. I refuse to be in their feud. I care about them deeply at the end of the day, both in different ways, but right now?
I choosemyself.
Plus, I’m just too drunk for this. The world is spinning. I see about four Kanes and Dannys. I think it’s best for me to slap them both and leave them here to deal with their own turmoil.
“I’ll always love her,” Kane shouts, and Danny takes another step forward, pissed off, like a bull, as if he’s about to make him pay for saying he loves me.
I can’t watch these two men fight it out all night.
“S-stop it…b-both of you! I’m going home alone,”I shout, and every one of them looks at the shortest girl on the porch. I slur every single word out very slowly. The mysterious man with the mask chuckles darkly. I’m walking away like everything is in slow motion, and I’m going to regret drinking so many fucking Sangrias too fast.
Rooker raises his eyebrows when he hears my tone. This is the most out-of-character thing about me that I’ve ever done. He looks like he’s impressed that such a loud voice can come from a small pair of lungs.
“The hell you are,” Danny snarls as he strides toward me. Every step that he takes makes my eyes widen.
Uh-oh.
He grabs me like a doll and picks me up, throwing me over his shoulder before I can get away from them. His hands immediately protect my dress from going all the way up, and he pins me with his forearm, cupping my ass.
I thrash, but it’s useless against his strong hold.
I look up through my hair, the strands covering most of my blurred vision, and the last thing I see is Kane trying to follow, but Rooker and Lopez push him back.
33
KANE
“The fuck is wrong with you, man? That’s Grim’s girl. You’re lucky he only punched you.” Lopez nudges me with his fist.
“Ari is not his girl. Not anymore,” I seethe.
Rooker laughs at me mockingly. He pats my shoulder, then gives it a hard squeeze.
“Ari willalways beGrim’s girl.”
I shake my head, wiping the blood off the tip of my nose. Motherfucker got me good.
“He granted you mercy,” Rooker says, disappointed.
“Damn, did he break your nose?” Lopez smirks. He thinks everything is a fucking joke.
“Clean up your act. Admiral Ravenmore doesn’t need to hear about this. As for your spot on the team, you’ll be lucky if you’re on the next mission with us. Danny will never work with you again.”
“I don’t give a fuck.”
“Clean up your fucking act. I’ve never seen you act like this. What the fuck is wrong with you? Risking your career for a girl? Stop thinking with your dick.”
“She’s not just any girl, and I loved her first,” I spit with rage, trying to slow down the bleeding from my nose.
“You’re right, she’s not. She’s Paul’s sister. And Grim’s girl.Know your place, son.” Rooker squeezes my shoulder and I shrug him off.
“Dude, you’re bleeding all over your uniform.” Lopez hands me a napkin, and I clean myself up.
