Page 118 of The Obvious Check
Then his voice cuts through it, lazy and lethal.
“You’ve got a fiancé now, right? That’s why you came in here flashing cash and an attitude that’d be better put behind the bar, not in my face.”
He smirks like he knows exactly where to aim and how deep to twist the knife as his gaze drifts down to my ring. I shouldn’t have worn it, but I’d made a promise to myself that I’d never take it off.
“It’s Cade Bright, isn’t it?”
My body stills. One second. Two. That’s all it takes for him to see it.
“I knew it. That guy has been obsessed with you since he first saw you dancing. Real pervert. Only asks for you and sits by the side, watching you like a panting dog. Likehispanting dog. Stanley Biscuit, right?”
I freeze again. How the hell does he know our dog’s name?
My expression makes him laugh, low and cold.
“You really think I haven’t been keeping tabs, Savannah? You think I didn’t notice when you stopped crashing behind the chicken joint and started staying in a real neighborhood?”
My stomach flips. He knows. He’salwaysknown.
Luke takes a step forward. “You should know that playing house with a guy like that never ends well. People like Cade, they’ve got a chip on their shoulders. Think they can take whatever they want and there won’t be consequences.”
“Don’t talk about him like that,” I say in a feeble attempt to sound brave.
He chuckles and tilts his head. “All I’m saying is, there’s a thing about consequences. They always come due.”
I take a step back, anger flaring through me. “You touch him, and I swear—”
“You’llwhat?”His grin widens. “Run to the cops? Try to play the victim? You do that, and you’ll never see Adley again. You’ll be right back to sleeping in your car before the week’s out if you're lucky. A jail cell if you’re not.”
“Jail?”
“Prostitution is illegal, darling.”
“I’m not—”
“Please. Who do you think they’re going to believe? A reputable business owner”—he gestures to himself with mock pride—“or a washed-up little whore with a track record of bad decisions and a filthy stage name?”
I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.
“Either way, when the world turns its back on you,again,you’ll come crawling right back here, begging to dance for me like the good little girl you used to be.”
“No.” My voice is shaking, but I mean it. “That’s not going to happen.”
I turn toward the door, but I don’t make it. A thick arm wraps around my waist from behind and yanks me back so fast mybreath catches in my throat. I try to get away by kicking and screaming, but it’s useless. Mark is built like a linebacker.
“Luke, please. Stop!” I shout, struggling as Mark drags me past the bar, toward the back hallway and the rooms I swore I’d never step foot in again.
Luke doesn’t rush. He just watches, cool and composed, as he follows us like he’s heading to a business meeting. “You should’ve known better than to come in here and think you could just walk away. Withhim,no less. I’m going to have to have a talk with him.”
“Don’t touch him,” I cry, my voice cracking. “Please, Luke. Please don’t hurt him!”
Mark tightens his grip.
“Shh,” Mark breathes.
“Keep screaming, and I’ll send my boys to pay him a visit. Him and that little mutt. Let’s see how cute your living room looks splattered in blood.” The venom behind Luke’s words is chilling.
I thrash harder. Tears blur my vision as I dig my nails into Mark’s arms, twisting my body, hoping somehow, I can break free, but it’s no use.
