Page 40 of The King Contract
“If you’re referring to the woman who asked me for a photo, I didn’t say no,bro,” I reply. “I said I’d prefer not to in the middle of my meal.”
I sense Millie looking between the two of us, and her hand squeezes my arm.
“You’re a wash-up anyway,” the guy snickers.
Heat prickles under my collar, but I school my expression the best I can. “Again. Your insults are second-to-none. Now, please excuse us.”
The guy steps forward, blocking our path. “You are such a cocky piece of shit. You ride a surfboard and think you’re better than everyone else?”
“I don’t think I’m better than everyone else.” I meet his daring gaze. “But IknowI’m better than you. Move out of my way, dickhead.”
The guy’s eyes flash with fury and I notice his two buddies shift behind him. “What did you say?”
“Are you stupidanddeaf?” I spit.
I know that look. I can sense the urge to fight in anyone. It takes one to know one, after all. Fiery heat pumps through my veins and my fingers flex instinctively, my body bracing for receiving or throwing a hit that’ll unleash venom and power only a primal fight can. This guy’s after a fight and I’m happy to give it to him.
The guy’s a bit shorter than me, but he looks solid under his fancy dinner attire. I have agility on my side though, and speed which no one ever sees coming.
“Noah.” Millie’s voice is a gentle, calming reminder cutting through the storm brewing in my chest. Her fingers entwine with mine and she tugs down on my hand. “Let’s go.”
My instinct to jump into a fight should be alarming, but all I can think about is tackling this guy to the ground. “Noah,” Millie repeats. There’s no panic in her voice, just a firm plea. A steadfast tone.
I turn to the right and am met with wide brown eyes. She nods encouragement and pulls me away from the danger at the edge of my fingertips
“Listen to your keeper,” the man jeers as I turn away. “I hear she’s good at taking care of charity cases and cancer patients. Maybe she’ll nurse you onyourdeathbed, too.”
White hot rage envelops me, and I turn back, but before I can reach him, Millie steps ahead and slaps him sharply across the face. Her eyes narrow with laser-focus and her chest heaves with shallow breaths, the sound of her palm hitting his cheek echoing into the night. The surprise on the guy’s friends faces likelymimics my own, the three of us stilling as Millie stares down the ringleader, who’s holding his cheek in apparent shock.
“Say that again,” she seethes. “I dare you.”
I slowly step forward, interjecting before this goes any further. The guy’s friends must be thinking the same, because they pull their buddy back. I flash them a look, grateful they don’t want this to escalate. We don’t need any further violence, even though seconds ago I was aching for it. “Millie, let’s go.”
Millie’s eyes are glistening, her jaw clenched so hard it’s pulsating. She lets me steer her away, my arm wrapped around her shoulders as we make our way silently to my car.
Once we climb inside, the tension is razor-sharp. I glance at Millie, who’s staring wide-eyed out the windscreen. “Are you okay?”
“I slapped someone.”
“Yes, you did.” I nod. “It was badass.”
She glances at me. “That’sassault.I can’t believe I did that.”
Millie’s panic-stricken face unnerves me, and I reach out, placing a hand on her cheek. She turns her head to face me properly. “Listen to me. Take a deep breath.”
Her wide eyes blink a few times, so I take a deep breath, motioning for her to follow my lead, and she does. “Another,” I order.
Her focus stays on my eyes, drifting to my lips to follow my cues to breathe. Her breathing gradually slows into longer, deeper drags, her eyes softening as she becomes more aware of her surroundings. It’s one of the more intimate things I’ve done with a woman, staring into her soul and helping bring her back down to Earth so she doesn’t spiral out of control.
“Thank you,” she whispers. Her eyes are still glistening, and I pray she doesn’t cry. I can’t handle it when women cry.
I remove my hand from her face and her head falls into her hands. “I’m sorry. You wanted my help to clean up your image and I did the one thing you’re trying to avoid.”
“Maybe we’re more alike than you think.” She looks up and I give her my best reassuring grin. “I love the fact my fake woman stands up for herself.”
“With violence?” she cries, her bottom lip trembling. “I don’t know what came over me. I’m so ashamed.”
“Hey, don’t do this to yourself.” I lean over and take her hands in mine. “Yeah, look, violence isn’t always thebestsolution, but in this situation? I think it was warranted. He made comments about your character and your aunt. I was seconds away from punching him myself. You beat me to it.”
