Page 31 of Anger

This entire scene is toxic.

All I wanted to do was give her the tip owed to her, but I lost my mind with the need to touch her.

Stalking forward, I move to step around him, but the son of a bitch blocks my path.

We stare each other down, and I make the quick assessment that there’s nothing he can do to me. Yeah, we’re approximately the same size, and I’ll admit the guy is a little intimidating.

He’s dressed in all black, except for a ridiculous silver belt buckle that stands out. His jacket, shirt and slacks are all business, but his boots are definite shit-kickers that have been worn in through the years.

I can tell by looking at him that he’s not exactly hard, but not soft either. There’s no way in hell he’s lived the life I’ve lived, but that doesn’t mean he can’t hold his own.

His eyes meet mine, and he rounds his shoulders, as if that will send me running.

“How did you get back in the club?”

Sucks for him that I’m not the type to rat people out. Patrick’s ridiculous entry fees will be our little secret.

“Through the front door. How else? I’m leaving now. So if you’ll get the fuck out of my way, I’ll leave through that door, too.”

His stare narrows on me, but he refuses to let me pass.

My hands fist at my sides, but I refuse to knock him out of the way.

I don’t need more problems.

Especially in this place.

I hear a door open and close behind me.

Glancing over my shoulder, I watch Blue step out of the room, her eyes widening to see Granger and me together.

When I turn back to him, his eyes are observing Blue, something feral in his gaze as he stares at her before returning his attention to me.

Anger rushes through me from the way he watches her.

There’s something not quite right.

“She’s off limits,” he warns, his voice stern and unwavering. “And you need to leave.”

Laughter shakes my chest. “So I’ve been told. It’s a little difficult, though. You’re standing in my way.”

His stare hardens, a few tense seconds passing as he makes up his mind.

I’m fine with moving him.

And I think he’s wondering if I have the strength.

Thankfully, he decides to step aside and let me pass without the need to find out who would win.

Nodding at him, I step around then stalk through the second floor, down the stairs, and across the first floor to the front door.

Patrick pipes up as I pass.

“Learned your lesson finally? An eight hundred dollar entry fee is a little much if you only stay thirty minutes. Hope it was worth it.”

Stopping in place, I turn to look at him, the corner of my mouth tilting up.

“Actually, I think I spent around eighteen hundred. But who’s counting, right?”

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