Page 79 of Show biz

“He was cocky,” I say hoarsely. Fuck, looks like I’m going through this door after all. Seán opens it wider like a gentleman, and I walk right through it.

Eighteen

TYLER

I’m a pretty calm person, but my chest is heaving as I watch the love of my life saunter out of the VIP section with Seán Fucking O’Brien after having stabbed one of his goons. The man deserved it too.

“Is she seriously going with him?” Mav asks, jaw dropping. He doesn’t know how tough Layla is yet. I don’t think he can handle her, nor does he deserve her.

“Yes, dick. Listen, I think I should go with her,” I tell one of the men glaring at us. There are four men holding us still, and I yank on my wrists that are firmly behind my back, stomping the fucker’s foot the way I saw my girl do it.

“Fuck,” he groans, kneeing me hard. The man in front of me rolls his eyes before punching me in the face. As if triggering the violence, Mav, Draven, Atlas, and I all get the shit kicked out of us. As they haul us back onto our feet, I realize they all were punched in places no one else can see.

It’s as if someone told them to rough them up if needed, but to avoid their faces. Apparently I’m exempt from the rule. Lucky fuckers.

They drag us out of the VIP area, tossing us into a small room before locking the door behind us.

“Fuckers,” I mutter. “What the hell does he want with Jordan?”

“That’s the million dollar question,” Atlas grunts. “Do you think Layla killed that guy?”

He wasn’t moving when we were dragged away, though someone was attempting to put pressure on the wound and move him.

“Oh yeah, he’s not going to make it. My girl dug deep.” I smirk. It doesn’t even bother me that Layla probably killed him. “Some people need to learn to not touch what doesn’t belong to them. Layla taught him an important lesson, though he may not live to appreciate it.”

“It doesn’t bother you how easily she went into defense mode?” Mav asks. “I didn’t know she could move like that.”

“My girl can protect herself,” Draven chuckles. He’s being more and more open about claiming her, and I love the looks of confusion on Mav and Atlas’ faces. Shifting, he winces as he touches his ribs.

They definitely didn’t go easy on us. “I appreciate that the training Layla has means she can do what’s necessary. I hope the fucker bleeds out, but he looked like some kind of enforcer, so old man O’Brien will probably be pretty pissed off about it.”

Breathing carefully, I lean against the wall and slowly slide down it. I’m not too proud to sit on the floor. Fucking ow.

“I don’t think he wants to hurt her,” I say as Draven follows my lead, sitting next to me on the tile. “I also trust Lay’s instincts. She looked at me before she walked out and told me she’d be fine. It was stupid of me to press for more.”

Mav groans as he drops to the ground as well, leaning on the wall across from me. It’s a damn small containment room.

“You have a lot of faith in her,” he sighs, rubbing his face. I’m jealous they avoided his face right now, because mine definitely hurts, and I can feel my right eye closing up. I’m lucky they didn’t break my glasses. Pulling them off, I check them, sighing in relief.

“A relationship is a two-way street, which is why you and Atlas fucked up. You didn’t trust my Little Flower to know her own desires or heart, and made her second guess everything. Even now…” I sigh.

I wasn’t planning on dropping truth bombs. Fuck a duck. Pain makes my tongue wag like an old lady.

Pressing my lips together, I ignore Atlas as he collapses onto his ass on the floor. We’re all going to need Advil and a hot shower after this to dull the pain of the ass beating we just received.

“Even now, what?” Atlas asks. “Enough gatekeeping. According to you, we ruined Layla Campbell. Lay it out for me like I’m a toddler.”

“There’s nothing wrong with her,” I growl. My nostrils flare in anger, and my hands fist. I’m not above attempting to kick Atlas’ ass, but he’s got a lot more muscle on me. I’d rather fuck with him in other ways.

I’m a nerd by trade, but I have my own flare of psychotic energy.

These fuckers are going to learn very soon. For now, I’m going to enjoy holding up the wall here.

“Thinking you ruined the beautiful woman who fearlessly walked into the lion’s den to help her uncle is exactly what’s wrong with you two,” I tell him, closing my eyes. There’s no way I’m falling asleep here, but it’ll help me think. “In some ways,your rejection made Layla stronger, while in others it made her overthink things.”

“I think she’s a badass,” Draven says softly. “I also get the feeling that she’s done taking your shit, gents. Get ready for a reckoning. Don your armor, because my girl isn’t going to pull her punches anymore.”

“I may deserve to be stabbed by her, the more I think about it,” Mav mutters. Slowly opening the eye that isn’t swelling, I look at him. He’s staring at his folded hands between his knees as he leans forward, looking pensive as he thinks.

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