Her mouth dropped open.
Right at that moment, the sprinklers went off overhead. A fast, furious spray that poured out, and she lifted her hands over her head instinctively.
Desperate cries broke from the patrons. The women jumped to their feet and their high heels clicked as they rushed for the exits. Some of the men tried to cover the fleeing ladies with their expensive coats. General chaos ensued.
Someone shoved into Jacqueline, and she staggered back a step even as her wet clothes began to stick to her body. Her eyes narrowed against the fall of water, and she saw that Remy had leapt from his chair and hauled Preston to his feet.
They were—
“I believe the word ‘exit’ was your cue, Jacqueline,” a man’s voice said from right beside her as strong fingers curled around her elbow. “And when I create a glorious distraction like all of these sprinklers exploding with water, that’s a sign that you need tomove.”
Constantine didn’t give her a chance to argue. He used his grip to pull her along in his wake, even as he made a production of grousing and muttering about the sprinklers, acting just like all the other men who were rushing from the room.
Everyone was rushing out. Everyone but Remy and Preston.
***
Remy blinked the water out of his eyes and glared at his prey. Preston Guidry was a sniveling bastard of a man, and he would love nothing more than to give the guy the ass kicking he so richly deserved. “She’s not a whore. Just because she didn’t want to fuck you, it doesn’t mean you get to talk shit about her.”
“Guards!” Preston yelled. “Security!”
“Get a clue, would you? Everyone ran out. It’s just you and me, and no one is coming to your rescue.” At least, not within the next few minutes. Remy knew that he had Constantine to thank for the timely distraction.
He knew I lost my control, so he sent the water to cool my ass down.And to clear the room, so there would be no pesky witnesses to what Remy was about to say or do.
Preston grabbed his champagne flute and smashed it on the side of the table. Then he shoved the broken end straight toward Remy.
“Are you freaking kidding me?” Remy dodged, grabbed Preston’s wrist, and twisted until the other man howled.
The broken glass fell onto the table.
“You are out of your league,” Remy told him. “I give nightmares to men a hell of a lot tougher than you.”
“Help!” Preston cried.
“So used to your hired guns protecting you. Here’s a life lesson. I can get past them. Look around, I’m past them right now.” Though he knew they’d be charging in soon.So I need to hurry along.“You try to hurt Jacqueline ever again, and I will get past them once more. I’ll come for you.”
Water poured down Preston’s cheeks. Soaked his expensive clothes. “I’m not scared of you,” he whispered.
“That just means you’re not smart enough to realize that you should be terrified.”
But Preston’s gaze jumped to something—someone?—right over Remy’s shoulder.
Preston smiled. “You’re a lowlife piece of shit. When I takeyouout, I’ll be legend.”
Someone is behind me.“Only in your tiny mind, jackass.” He released Preston, grabbed the broken champagne flute, and spun around just as a giant fist came flying toward his face.
Since he knew Jacqueline had specifically worried about his face—and because he was rather partial to it, himself—he ducked, then sliced out with the broken flute.
“Aaaah!” His attacker stumbled back and slipped, his feet skidding in the water on the floor. The man slammed down on his ass.
That’s how you handle guys who like to attack when your back is turned.Remy whirled back for Preston and shoved the broken flute against his neck. “I could slit your throat in less time than it would take for your goon to get back to his feet.”
Preston’s eyes were the size of saucers.
“Where is the safe?”
“M-my house! Second floor. Hidden room behind a bookcase.”