Leo cuts in, “She’s telling you the truth.”
Zander jerks an arm free and lunges for him, but Jake hauls him back. Both my arms shoot out so that I’m standing between Zander and Leo, one hand on each of their chests. It’s a ridiculous thing to do. If they want to fight, I’m physically incapable of stopping them. But I can’t just stand here and do nothing.
“Zander, stop,” I plead.
But it’s as though I’m not even there. He hisses at Leo, “Like you wouldn’t fuck her if you could.”
Leo, thank god, is too much of a gentleman to respond to that. With his feet firmly planted and his shoulders squared, his body language saysenough.
Confident in Leo’s self-control, I turn all my attention to Zander. In contrast, his eyes are wild and his whole body is coiled tight, ready to spring. I dare to touch him. “Zander.”
He yanks me up against him and shouts at Leo, “She’s mine! Do you hear me? Mine! So just stay the fuck away from her!”
“It’s okay,” I tell Zander, stroking his hot face. “I’m yours. Everyone knows I’m yours.”
He’s got a vise grip around my ribs, and I have to push against him to get a good breath. I feel his growl as he hollers over my head, “Why the fuck are you still here?”
I look behind me to find Leo still standing by the counter, alert and defensive. His eyes flit to me and I read them loud and clear. He’s not leaving until he’s sure I’ll be okay. I give him a slight nod and even manage a faint smile. A smile he doesn’t return. Instead, he unclenches his jaw, sucks in a sharp breath, and turns to go.
Like a greedy kid with a favorite toy, Zander clasps me to his chest. “Who the fuck does he think he is? If he touches you again, I’ll break his face.”
I can feel my wings hanging, limp and mangled, down my back. Zander has destroyed them.
CHAPTER NINE
Once Leo’s gone,the party resumes. Without the potential for a fight, no one cares about Zander and me. I don’t feel like drinking or dancing anymore, so when Zander spins me around and ushers me toward his room, I don’t protest. He holds onto me as if I might make a break for it, like I’m a suspect he’s taking in for questioning.
As he steers me up the stairs, I barely notice the other people passing us on their way down. Not until someone grabs my free arm and jerks me to a standstill.
It’s beautiful Peyton, wearing an ugly sneer. “Tell your little slut friend we don’t let trash into KPT.”
She’s gone before her meaning sinks in, but when it does, I groan.Oh god no, Liv. Don’t tell me she’s caught you with Braden.Zander is still trying to get me up the steps, but all I want to do is collapse right here and cry. Somehow, I keep the tears at bay until we’re alone in his room.
He paces while I drop onto the bed. “Who is he and why are you hanging out with him?”
Leo. Half an hour ago I was with him, content and safe andrelaxed. Now I’m swimming in jealousy and anger. Everyone else’s, not mine.
I let out a sob. “He’s just a friend.” Mindlessly, I reach for my amethyst, remembering just in time that I don’t want Zander to notice it.
He scoffs. “He doesn’t want to be yourfriend.”
“Yes, he does!” Leo said so himself.I’m not looking to date or anything. “Lara’s full of shit.”
Zander scowls, bewildered. “Who said anything about Lara?”
Wait, what? “She wasn’t telling you a bunch of bullshit?”
“No.” His lip curls in distaste.
Oh. Then who was?
He stops stalking and glowers down at me. “Stay away from him.”
“But he’s my friend.” And I need him.
“You have me. And Liv.” Zander waves a hand to encompass the house and everyone in it. “And you have all the guys. Why do you need any other friends?”
At the mention of Liv, I flash back to the encounter with Peyton on the stairs. I shake my head and choke on another sob. “They’re not gonna let Liv into KPT.”
