Tristan doesn't let any reaction show on his face. He stares at Hailey for a moment longer, until she's squirming under his all-seeing gaze. "And you're sure you want to leave with him?"
At that, Steve finally snaps out of his nervous stupor. He glares at the back of Tristan's head and steps around him to grab Hailey's hand again.
"What kind of question is that?" he snaps. "She just told you I'm her boyfriend. Of course she wants to leave with me."
Tristan ignores his comment and waits for Hailey to answer.
"Yes, I'm sure," Hailey confirms, her voice sounding stronger now. "I love him."
Tristan doesn't react but he doesn't ask her again.
Seemingly annoyed with the line of questioning, Steve tugs at Hailey's hand to try to move her toward the exit. "Come on, babe, let's go home." She smiles at Lucy and I by way of goodbye and turns to follow her boyfriend.
Except, Tristan steps into Steve's path before he can take more than a step. Steve stares up at the very tall, very intimidating man in front of him with more wide-eyed shock.
"I know what you are," Tristan says simply. "If you hurt her, I will know. So I suggest you don't."
We all stare at Tristan in stunned silence. Even though Steve doesn't know Tristan very well, the words are said in such a way that it's very clearly not an empty threat. Hailey just looks stunned, like she can’t believe she’s witnessing a fight break out over her.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Steve finally stammers. He goes to step around Tristan and, when he doesn't meet more resistance, pulls Hailey out of the bar with him.
Tristan watches them leave, his expression still not giving away any reaction. Finally, he turns to Lucy and I. "Your sister should break up with that guy," he says before walking away. Lucy and I follow his path back to the bar with wide eyes.
"Damn, I thought he was only protective yesterday because he wants to fuck you," Lucy mutters. "Guess he's just protective, period."
I whip my head around to glare at Lucy. "I already told you he doesn't want to fuck me," I growl.
She raises an eyebrow at me. "No, he definitely still wants to fuck you, but I'm saying that's not why he almost broke that guy's neck yesterday. Apparently, Tristan has as much of a mama bear streak as you do."
I frown and turn again to study my current roommate. He's joined Aiden and Max at the bar and is listening to whatever inane argument those two are currently involved in.
I never would've expected Tristan to be the protective type. In fact, he's always come off as the opposite: selfish, worried only about his career, and ignoring everyone else around him. I knew he had a soft spot for Jax, but I figured that was a reflection of the type of loyalty my best friend commands, not of Tristan himself. Apparently, I was wrong.
"I guess I should go thank him," I mutter to Lucy. With a nod and a swat to my ass, she wanders off to go find someone else to talk to.
I take a hesitant step toward the bar. Then it becomes two, and three, and the next thing I know I'm standing in front of Tristan.
He turns his even gaze toward me and raises a brow. I open my mouth to say something, but it's at that moment that Aiden notices me standing there.
"Hey, Remy!" he chirps happily. He stands up from where he's sitting at the bar and offers me the barstool. "I assume you want to ream Tristan out for whatever he just did. Here, take my seat. Max and I are heading back to the rest of the group now anyway."
I chuckle uncomfortably. "Uh, thanks." By the time I take the seat and turn toward Tristan, the boys are gone. "I, um, just wanted to say thank you for what you did. And said."
I stumble over the words. It feels awkward to aim them at Tristan.
He stares at me with his usual unyielding gaze, letting none of his feelings show. After a few moments, he asks, "Is she safe with him tonight?"
I turn my attention back to the cocktail I've been nursing for the past hour. I take a quick swig when I remember its existence. "Yeah," I answer easily and honestly. "They live together. And he's not abusive—or at least not physically. He's just kind of mean. I don't think she realizes the effect he has on her. But he would never hurt her. I'd never let him." Then something occurs to me, and I chuckle. "Plus, that crazy bitch has too many daggers in her purse to be in any real danger."
Tristan's in the middle of gesturing at the bartender when he turns back to me with a startled look. "Seriously? She carries daggers?"
I grin. "And a few knives. It's been a while since I've seen what's in her purse."
Tristan's lips twitch into a grin, then he nods in approval. "Smart girl," he mutters. "I figured she was okay, since I doubt Jax would let her be around anyone that's actually dangerous. But when I saw him with her, I just wanted to make sure."
I nod, nervously spinning the drink in front of me. "Well, thank you anyway," I murmur. "That was… really nice of you. You know, to threaten him and all."
The usual cocksure grin appears on Tristan's face. It will never not be disconcerting that he has only two expressions: arrogant and stoic. "What good is all this muscle and talent if I don't use it to boss people around once in a while?"