He’s walking toward us, and his eyes are locked on Wade, his whole body tense, and he looks like he’s going to hit someone. Almost lethal.
Wade scoffs, but I see the flicker of hesitation in his eyes because Finn is an unknown. He’s not a classmate from back home, who are the only people Wade knows, and the same people he bullies.
“Look who finally showed up,” Wade says with fake laughter in his voice. “I don’t remember anyone inviting you to this conversation, Johanson.”
Finn doesn’t even blink. He steps between us, and it pushes Wade back with nothing but sheer force of presence.
“Walk away,” Finn says, voice like gravel. “Before I make you.”
Wade’s mouth tightens. “You gonna hit me too, tough guy? Add another suspension to your record?”
My heart lurches, but Finn doesn’t so much as flinch.
“Try me,” Finn growls. “She’s my wife, she’s mine and you’d better remember that, because I protect what’s mine.”
The air cracked like a whip, and Finn is one wrong move away from exploding.
Wade stares him down for another long second, but he’s a coward at heart and backs off, muttering under his breath, “Not worth it.”
Then he turns and stalks off down the hallway, leaving my whole body shaking from the adrenaline dump. My air comes out in a whoosh. I didn’t even realize I wasn’t breathing.
Finn watches him until he’s gone, then finally turns to me.
“You okay?” His voice softens, but there’s still a bite of anger in it.
I take a step back, chest tight. “What the hell was that, Finn?” I search his eyes, they’re steely and cold.
He blinks, thrown off by the sharpness in my voice, or the attitude, I’m not sure which, but I made my point. I’m pissed.
“I just—he wouldn’t leave you alone. This is the second time he’s shown up, and he wants to get you alone. He’s stalking you, and you froze, Kate. I wasn’t gonna let him?—”
“What the hell was that?” My voice comes out sharp, breathless from more than just that kiss.
“I handled it,” he says, his voice cool, steady.
“Handled it?” I glare at him, heat rising in my chest. “You didn’thandleanything. You bulldozed in here like some caveman, spoke of me like I couldn’t speak for myself, and picked a fight that wasn’t yours to start.”
His jaw ticks, but he doesn’t back down.
“I’m not gonna stand there and watch him get his hands on you,” he growls, eyes dark. “Not happening.”
My blood boils hotter.
“I didn’tneedyou to save me, Finn,” I snap, planting both hands on my hips. “I can take care of myself. I’ve been doing it long before you came around.”
“That wasn’t taking care of yourself,” he bites back, voice low and sharp. “That was you sitting there, frozen, letting him inch closer and closer while you waited for what? Is he starting to mouth off again? Grab you? Maybe kiss you?”
“I had it under control,” I lie, though we both know I was too stunned to move fast enough.
He steps closer, but his eyes narrow. “You didn’t look like you had it under control, princess.”
God, that title, like I’m fragile—his tone—everything about him in this moment has my heart slamming against my ribs in equal parts fury and something I can’t even pinpoint.
“Don’t twist this and make it about me. You don’t get to play the hero here, Finn. You don’t get to control every situation just because it makesyouuncomfortable.”
He stares at me, but I can’t read him. “I’m not controlling you. I’m protectingwhat’s mine.”
Ah, there it is. I’m his possession.
