I don’t like the way he says my last name, but I especially don’t like how tan suit is half-leading, half-carrying my girl to the curved staircase at the back of the room. Angel struggles to escape, and I’m ready to start throwing punches.
“Get off me.” My jaw is clenched.
Grabbing his wrists, I shove him back, but he’s strong and ready for a fight. Just as fast, he grabs me again, clutching my arms and shoving me towards the door.
“I said, get out of my house.” His voice is a snarl, and our faces are close.
Black eyes clash with mine. I don’t know why this is happening, but I’ll be damned if I let him come at me or treat his sister this way.
“I came here to make friends,” I grunt out the words, pushing against his grip. “But if your guy doesn’t take his hands off Angel, I’m going to kill him.”
“I’d expect nothing less of you,” Beto snaps, reminding me of a Doberman pinscher.
Our altercation is drifting through the room, and the kids on the dance floor have started to notice the commotion as well as the guests lining the walls. The music keeps playing, but nobody’s dancing. They’re forming a ring around us, and I can feel their eyes watching.
In my peripheral, I see Angel struggling against Mateo, and red fills my vision. “If you don’t call off that asshole—”
“Mateo is following my orders, which is what you’re about to do.”
“Beto, stop!” Angel makes a lunge to get past Mateo, but he catches her clumsily, causing her to fall to the floor.
She goes down hard against the polished stone, letting out a little cry of pain. Fire blazes in my chest, and I shove Beto off me with all my strength. He crashes against the wall, and I’m across the room, grabbing Mateo by the shoulder from where he’s bent over, trying to help her up.
I haul him up, landing a solid punch to his cheek.
“Fuck!” He falls back against the wall, crushing a small table and sending a vase of flowers flying.
Pain blasts through my hand, but I don’t care. I’ve got one focus, and it’s my girl. “Are you hurt?” Leaning down, I scoop her up.
She’s trembling, and her skirt is torn. Her eyeliner is smudged from her tears, and a knife twists in my stomach at the sight.
Now I’m fucking furious.
“Carmie!” A small voice wails from the opposite side of the room, and rapid footsteps close the distance as Sofia runs to her.
Angel leans down to pick up her niece, who’s also crying. “What’s happening Carmie? Why is everybody fighting?”
“Beto, for lord’s sake!” Valeria rushes to where we are, and she looks on the verge of tears herself. “Stop this now! You’re ruining Lo’s quinceañeara.”
Beto’s gaze flickers to where my hands are on his sister’s waist. He’s breathing hard, and I know he doesn’t give a shit if anyone’s crying or if he’s ruining the party.
“Get your hands off my sister.” It’s a menacing sound, low and cold.
Angel steps up beside me, putting her hand on my arm. “I brought Deacon here to meet you. To make friends. If you talk to him, you’ll see he’s good. You’ll like him.”
Her voice is pleading, but I see the ice in her brother’s eyes. Everything inside me tenses, preparing to fight.
“We do not make friends with Drings.” He’s breathing fast, his voice gravelly. “He is not welcome here.”
Mateo is beside him, glaring at me with hatred in his eyes. I see what looks like the start of a shiner at the top of his cheek, and it makes me smile. I’m ready to give them a matching set.
“Then I’m not welcome here.” Angel’s voice turns hard, and I glance down at her. Her amber eyes flicker with golden fire, and the strength I’ve always known she possessed rises in her posture.
Sofia’s arm tightens
around her cousin’s neck, and Angel’s pretty eyes meet mine. I see the tears threatening to reappear, and I take her wrist, leading her towards the stairs. “Listen…” My voice is low and gentle. “I’m going to go now. Take Sofia upstairs, and I’ll call you later.”
Her slim hand touches the front of my chest, and she inhales sharply. “No. Deacon—”