Clint grimaced. “Good thing it isn’t up to you either way.”
“Oh, yeah? And what makes you think that?”
I giggled bitterly. “Because you don’t get to control me.”
All four of the boys looked over at me and I clung tightly to Clint. I didn’t know what to do. I didn't know what the right move was. Mom taught me to always stand up for myself. But what the hell was I supposed to do in a situation like this? I didn’t want to run. I didn’t want to abandon Clint. And yet, I knew I was the target. I knew if they got through Clint, I’d be in a hell of a lot of trouble.
I whispered. “What should we do?”
Clint peered over his shoulder. “Stay there and do as I ask.”
One of the boys grinned. “An obedient girl. I like that in my women.”
I scoffed. “Good thing I’m not your woman, then.”
“I think we could change that. I hear you like bad boy dick.”
“I guess that takes you out of the running, then.”
The boy lunged at me and Clint jumped in the way. He stood toe to toe with him, staring him down as his chest puffed out. The other three guys started laughing, filling the air with the smell of beer. I rested my forehead against Clint’s back, feeling him stiffening, tightening, shaking with fury. His fists balled up at his sides and the staredown began, each party waiting for the other to make a move.
Was it possible to stare them down until they sobered up? Until they got back into their car and left?
Where the hell is the patrol car that always comes through?
“Clint,” I whispered.
One of the boys chuckled. “Think your girl’s calling you.”
Clint nodded. “And don’t you forget who she belongs to.”
“I don’t think she belongs to anyone. She’s a free-spirited girl, right? The one who ran to your defense?”
“And if I remember correctly, you’re the asshole that knocked her down. Hurt her. And mark my words, you’ll pay for that.”
“Oh, she’s got some fluff. She’s good.”
I felt Clint lunge and I gripped his leather jacket. I pulled him back to me as the boys erupted into laughter. He shrugged me off, whipping around and glaring at me. I glared right back, silently screaming at him, telling him there was no way on fuck’s green earth he’d be able to take all four of them in a fight without them dragging me off in the process.
And when he drew in a deep breath, I watched his eyes soften.
“Look at that, boys! He’s whipped already.”
I heard the drunk assholes making whipping noises as they twirled their hands around in the air. Clint’s face flushed with anger and he grew another two inches as fury filled his veins. He whipped back around and I tightened my grip on his leather jacket, trying desperately to keep a hold on this situation. I had my purse with me. It hung off my shoulder. And if I slipped my hand in there, I could press the emergency button on my phone, calling for help before this escalated.
Clint growled. “The four of you need to leave. Now.”
Main Boy shook his head. “Eh, that doesn’t sit well with me. I mean, what if the little lady’s in trouble?”
I snickered. “I’m not. The only people I’d be in trouble with are the four of you.”
?
?But it would be the best kind of trouble.”
Clint grinned. “She gets plenty of that with me.”
“And from the looks of her curves, there’s plenty to go around. Sharing is caring, Clarke.”