“I, um, I’m going to the restroom,” I announced, needing to escape from his stare. “I’ll be right back.”
“Sure,” Jayme agreed easily. “But if I’m occupied when you get back, don’t be offended.”
She shot another heated stare in the dark stranger’s direction. I didn’t understand her attraction. He was obviously bad news. I blinked at her, baffled by her choice in men.
“Be careful,” I advised.
She tossed her long blonde hair over her shoulder with a little laugh. “What’s the fun in that?”
I shook my head slightly. “He’s all yours. I’ll hang out at the bar with Joseph to give you some space.”
“Thanks, girl.”
“Of course. But let me know if you decide to take that guy home. I don’t want you to leave with him alone.”
“Will do,” she promised. “I won’t go anywhere alone with a stranger. We can leave with you and Joseph in a few hours.” She gave me a sly smile. “We’ll make it a double date tonight.”
“Sounds good to me. See you soon.”
I wound my way through the crowded dance floor and got in line for the bathroom. There were three women in the short corridor ahead of me, but I didn’t mind. I hadn’t really needed to go, but I’d wanted the excuse to escape from the dark stranger’s stare. I wasn’t entirely comfortable leaving Jayme at his mercy, but she seemed happy enough with his attention. I wasn’t going to cockblock her.
“Are you Ashlyn?” I jolted at the rumbling, masculine voice. It was low and deep, and far too close.
I spun around on a soft gasp, and I found the dangerous stranger in my personal space. The bar was loud enough that I hadn’t heard his approach, but now that I was caught in his black stare, I was very aware of his nearness.
I took a step back, and my butt bumped into the wall. His lips curved up at the corners, his harsh eyes flashing with amusement.
“So, are you? You’re Ashlyn, right?” he prompted. He didn’t step toward me, but he leaned in, his bulk bearing down on me.
My breath stuttered in my throat, and my pulse hammered in my veins. The dark energy pulsing off him kissed my skin, curling around my body in insidious, velvety tendrils. I shivered, but I wasn’t cold.
“What do you want?” I squeaked. I felt thoroughly trapped, even though he wasn’t touching me. His intent stare and powerful aura were enough to pin me in place. “How do you know my name?”
“What the fuck are you doing here, Marco? Get away from her.”
I sucked in a relieved breath at the sound of Joseph’s furious growl. He was coming to my rescue again, and I’d never been more grateful for my knight in shining armor.
Then, something else registered. Marco. Joseph knew his name. He knew this intimidating man. I’d known Joseph wasn’t from my world; he wasn’t a student at Harvard. But I hadn’t imagined that the tender man I’d fallen for would associate with someone so overtly dangerous.
Marco’s lips curved farther, and he turned his coolly amused gaze on Joseph. “I’m just introducing myself to Ashlyn,” he said, nonchalant. “I heard you had a girlfriend. I wanted to meet her.”
“Outside. Now,” Joseph bit out.
“All right,” Marco agreed. I heaved in a deep breath when he finally stepped away from me, freeing me from his influence. He glanced back at me one more time, a sly smirk fixed on his face. “Goodbye, Ashlyn.”
Joseph snarled and took a step toward Marco. The frightening man raised his hands in a show of contrition. “Outside,” he prompted Joseph.
I didn’t want Joseph to leave with him. Marco was a threat, and I didn’t want him to hurt the man I loved.
Love. Yes, I was in love with Joseph. The idea of him being hurt made my stomach turn.
I reached out and grabbed his big hand, holding him back. “Don’t,” I begged. “Stay in here with me.”
He stared down at me, his expression drawn with pain that I didn’t understand. “I can’t,” he rasped. He leaned down and brushed a kiss over my lips. “I’m sorry. Stay inside. Don’t follow me.”
Somehow the words seemed heavier than a simple order not to follow him outside. My heart twisted, my stomach knotting with anxiety. Something was very wrong, and I didn’t understand why Joseph would go anywhere with Marco.
Before I could fully process what was happening, Joseph pulled his hand from mine and began making his way through the crowd, following Marco toward the exit. The man I loved disappeared into the night, leaving me behind.
Chapter Nine
Joseph
Rage coursed through my veins. Of course Marco had hunted me down. My best friend would never have allowed me to escape from my family. Even though he knew I hated it, I also knew that it’d been selfish for me to leave him behind in that hell.