Page 24 of Monster
I threw a startled glance at her.
“I...well, no not me, my ex-fiancé, who just happens to be Havoc's half-brother, got into debt with The Family. Havoc stepped up and pretended to be my man to try and keep me safe.”
I studied her in shock. The last thing I had expected from the English girl was to be involved in organised crime. It just went to prove how much looks could be deceiving. “And did it work?”
Darcie giggled. “God no, I got myself drugged and kidnapped. Havoc saved the day. And we have been together ever since.” She smiled fondly in the direction of her man. He caught her look and grinned at her. The look in his eyes was hot.
What was it about the men of the Savage Sons and that sexy predatory gaze?
“So, you're with him because you owe him one?” I couldn't help but ask. If Darcie and Havoc could make it work when there was nothing real between them then maybe there was hope for me and Monster.
“God no, I fell in love with him. It was crazy quick but it's real. I know he adores me and would do anything for me. Sometimes you just meet the right man and you know he’s yours forever. Havoc is my forever. Monster will be yours.”
“I doubt that,” I mumbled. “It's not like that between us.”
“Oh please, I've seen the way he looks at you, the way he touches you. Monster is a good man, deep down anyway, but he wouldn't have agreed to this unless he thought there was something between you.”
“He's doing it for money.”
Scratching her head, Darcie's smile slipped. “Well then, maybe that's all it is but I wouldn't count on it. The chemistry between you two is off the charts. Makes me horny just watching you look at each other across the room.”
I laughed. “Yeah, the sex is pretty fucking excellent,” I admitted with a smile.
“See, I knew it. Believe me, Angela, that's how it always starts with these guys. Sex is just the beginning.”
* * *
“Hey…”
Someone slammed into me from behind, sending me stumbling into Darcie. Our drinks spilled down our fronts. Angrily, I whirled around. “Hey! Watch where the fuck you are...” The words died on my lips as I came face to chest with a man who made Monster look short. My nose barely came up to the guy’s nipples even in my heels.
“Fuck off.” The stench of stale cigarettes and alcohol rolled off him, making me recoil. That's when I saw who was behind him. His bear-like paw was wrapped around her upper arm but Keeley was trying to get away from his grip, her eyes locked onto mine. The pleading in them was clear a day. Wherever this big beast of a man was trying to take her she didn't want to go.
“You ok, Keeley?” I kept my eyes locked on her tear-filled ones. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Darcie gesture wildly, no doubt trying to signal to Havoc that something was wrong. All I had to do was keep the big brute talking long enough for help to arrive.
“She's fine, we are just going somewhere more private.”
I ignored him. “You want to go with him?” The girl in front of me looked terrified. I had never seen such abject fear on a woman's face before. She shook her head. Her eyes pleaded with me to help her get out of this situation. Lifting my face up, I frowned. “I don't think she wants to go with you.” I kept my voice low and even. “Why don't you go and find a willing woman, the place is full of them.”
Something shifted in his face as he took me in. I didn't like the look at all. “You look fucking willing to me.” Holding Keeley in place with one hand, he brought the other one up to cup my breast. Behind me Darcie let out a yell, alerting the room to what was going on. And I was glad of it. The situation was getting out of hand quickly.
He was more than twice my size but I slapped him anyway, putting all my force behind it. I had never backed down from a fight in my life.
“Fucking bitch.” His fist connected with my jaw with the force of a sledgehammer. I toppled backwards, falling flat on my back as pain erupted from my face. Throwing up a hand, I tried desperately to shield my face before he was on me.
There was a sound like a charging animal and Monster was suddenly there. He was the smaller man, but he had speed on his side. Positioning himself between me and my attacker, he sent his head into the taller man's face. His nose exploded in a shower of blood but Monster didn't even slow.
“Here, let me help you up.” Darcie reached down, her eyes on the bruise I could already feel blossoming on my face. “You ok? Both of you?”
I shot a look at Keeley. The man Monster called Gio had his arm around her shoulders. “You ok?” I asked her.
She nodded. “I just want to get out of here. I hate this place.” She turned, hiding her tear-streaked face against Gio’s shirt and his arms went about her instantly.
“I'll drop you home,” he said gently.
I had a feeling Keeley wasn't talking about the party, but about the town as a whole and I couldn't blame her. Monster was right, she was a sweet girl. And sweet girls got hurt in places like that.
She didn't answer him, wiping a hand under her nose she turned to me. “You just got punched for me. Are you ok?”
