Madison leans into Cole and my lips curl over my teeth. The two of them looked perfect together.
Her beauty, with fiery hair and a pert little mouth. The perfect contrast to his muscular and more full stature. With his deep cheekbones and sharp jawline set in a straight line. That ever-present cocky expression on his face. They complement one another well.
Taking a step without looking in either direction, I cross the street. A set of tires loudly screeching to a stop. Inches from hitting me.
A car door slams as someone rounds the vehicle. Grabbing my elbow, I was still in too much shock to hear what the voice was saying.
I should be lying underneath the flashy red car. Flat as a pancake, but I wasn’t.
Glancing down, I realize I’m fine. A bubble of hysterical relief swims out in the form of shaky laughter.
I was alright. I snicker again.
“Are you okay?” the voice repeats, shaking my arm.
I blink, looking up. Xander?
His brows pinched together deep in worry. “Rory, I didn’t see you—you came out of nowhere.”
“It’s my fault,” I speak. “I wasn’t paying attention.”
Concern crosses his face. “Are you sure?” he asks.
“I’m fine.” I give him a small grin, reassuring him.
Xander looks at his car, swallowing, then back at me. Doing a quick once-over to make sure I was good.
He scratches at the back of his ear, chortling nervously. “Uh, I mean, if you wanted a ride, all you had to do was ask. No need to run into traffic.”
The edges of my mouth raise, not enough to be a full smile, but enough that it seems to ease his worry.
He opens his mouth to say something else. Eyes widening when he’s suddenly yanked from behind by the collar of his blazer.
“Watch where you’re going, fucker!” Cole spits, not even trying to rein in his temper.
The veins in his neck, thick and pulsating. Winding their way under his collarbone and down to the exposed parts of his arms and hands.
He grabs Xander, fisting his shirt, and snarls into his face. Iceman’s breath heaves in an irregular pattern. As uneven as my heart rate currently was.
This Cole was different than the time in the gym or the jewelry store. This person had a murderous, out of focus, glint in their eye.
Deadly and dangerous. Not a good combination.
Cole bares his teeth. “You could have killed her!” he huffs out, shoving at Xander’s chest.
He was on the defense. Angry and injecting himself in front of the threat, blocking me.
“I didn’t see her before it was almost too late.”
Cole does it again, and again Xander takes it. Stumbling back a few steps. Regret swimming in his eyes when he glances at me.
Wrong move.
“Don’t look at her!” Cole threatens, irate. “You don’t get to look sympathetic after what you almost did.”
“She came out of nowhere—” The words dying on Xander’s tongue as Cole’s arm shoots out, grabbing him by the throat. Homicidal.
He leans in. “Whatdid you say?”