“No. Just because you two don’t have to go home alone, doesn’t mean I should. I’m going to try and find someone for the night. I’ll see you later.” Before turning back to my drink, I catch the expression of devastation on her face.
“Seriously?” she argues.
“Seriously,” I mutter.
As she turns to walk away from me, someone blocks her path. At first, I register it as Hunter, so I don’t react. But then I hear a stranger’s voice in a low, husky tone.
“If he won’t go with you, I will.”
The hairs on the back of my neck stand up and chills run down my spine.
“No, thank you,” Isabel replies, trying to move around him, but he blocks her again. “Come on, sweetheart.”
“She said no, motherfucker,” I growl.
When his hands wrap around her waist, hauling her to his side against her will, I see red. There’s no bar, no club, no rules or decorum. There is only his hands on her and the look of helplessness and disgust on her face as she tries to pry herself out of his grasp.
I don’t remember standing up or marching toward him. All I know is one second I hear her scream and the next moment, he’s on the floor and my fist is throbbing.
“Drake!” she yelps, and I don’t know if she’s mad or scared, but suddenly, chaos ensues.
Security guards are hauling me toward the door, but I can’t see Isabel anymore, and it has me panicking. So I fight against their hold to get to her, which only makes them more aggressive. I’m not a small man by any means, and these three bouncers aren’t big enough to handle me in desperation mode. What starts as a couple arms around mine, as they try to drag me to the exit, quickly turns into a chokehold with my face pressed against the floor and a knee in my back.
“Get your fucking hands off of him,” a deep, familiar voice growls, and I lift my head just enough to see Hunter snarling in the face of one of the security guards.
“Tell him to calm the fuck down and we will,” the man argues.
“He was clearly defending me!” Isabel shrieks. I hate the terror in her voice. This is all my fault.
“Lady, back the fuck up,” one of the guards snaps at her, and there’s a scuffle again. This time, I have enough room to fight my way off the floor, and I jump up in time to see Hunter fighting with one of the men in all black.
God, when was the last time the two of us have been in a brawl—a long, fucking time, that’s how long. And definitely before Isabel.
I know how desperateIam to get her out of here. I can guarantee Hunter is even more so. So as much as I'd like to help him put these handsy guards in their place, my first objective is to get her the hell out of here.
I grab Isabel by the hand and latch a fist on Hunter’s collar as I drag both of them toward the bright red exit sign.
Hunter is still yelling threats at the bouncers as we make our way out into the warm night air, where it’s instantly quiet and muggy, the only sound being our own heavy breathing.
“Fuck that place!” Hunter barks.
“Are you okay?” I ask Isabel.
“I’m fine.”
“You’re shaking,” Hunter notices as he pulls her into his arms. I stifle the rising feeling of jealousy at the sight.
“Let’s just go, please,” she replies.
The hotel is only a few blocks away, and we walked here, so we head out on foot toward the hotel. We’re all still fuming about the altercation at the club.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have drunk that much,” I say, breaking the silence first.
“It’s not your fault,” Isabel replies, placing a hand on my arm.
“They need a two-drink limit,” Hunter grumbles. “And to vet their members better. That shit would never happen at Salacious.”
“Never,” I reply.