Page 30 of Fight For Me

I feel the bite of my nails digging into my palms as my fists tighten. “She’s only twenty-two,” I point out.

He snickers. “Good point. A little old for my taste.”

God, I want to kick this guy’s ass.

“I’d keep your distance if I were you,” I growl.

He shoots me a surprised look. “Oh, right. I forgot she’s like, an honorary member of your family.” Then he grins again. “But even you’ve got to admit that is one fine ass.”

I stand, knocking the chair over in my hurry. “I’m not kidding,” I say. “Stay the fuck away from her.”

It’s quiet for a moment in the kitchen, tension swirling thick between us. I don’t like the way he’s studying me, don’t like the appraising look in his eyes. And I definitely don’t like the smirk that settles over his features after a moment. “Ah. Now I get it.”

“Get what?”

He waves a lazy hand in my direction. “This whole…thing. The reason why you’re here.”

I take a step towards him, pleased that I have several inches on the asshole, and lower my voice to a menacing rasp. “The reason I’m here is to look out for my family and the people I care about. So I’ll say it again—stay the fuck away from Alex.”

“Wyatt?”

I spin around and see the girls have returned, Fox behind them. I don’t think they heard us, but from the perplexed looks on their faces they’re at least picking up on the anger radiating off me and the fact that I’m all up in this guy’s face.

“Everything okay?” Fox asks, gaze darting from me to Scott.

I can’t respond. I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut as I take in Alex’s outfit. She changed into this one-piece shorts and tank top thing. The fabric is silky, clinging to her body. The shorts show off a ton of leg and her belt draws my attention to her little waist. I swallow hard, forcing my eyes away, but not soon enough. Scott definitely noticed my reaction, and that fucker is practically sneering at me.

“We were just discussing the contract,” he says smoothly. He raises an eyebrow at me. “Which you still haven’t signed.”

I grab the pen off the table and scrawl my name. If there’d been any doubt in my mind that I was doing the right thing by staying here, it was obliterated in the last five minutes. There’s no way in fuck I’m leaving Alex alone with this guy. Ever.

Scott gives me one last smirk before turning his back on me. “Okay then,” he says to the girls and Fox. “We should get going. Crew’s all set up at the shop.”

Everly grabs Alex’s arm and squeals. “I can’t believe this is actually happening!”

“Believe it, babe,” Scott says in that smarmy drawl. He elbows his way in between the two girls, slipping his arms around their shoulders, and the urge to rip his limbs off is overwhelming. “I’m going to make you stars—just you wait.”

“This is so exciting,” Everly gushes, jumping up and down on her towering heels. Scott begins to lead them out of the kitchen, Fox trailing behind, and all I can concentrate on is that asshole’s hand on Alex’s back.

“See ya, Wyatt,” Fox calls over his shoulder.

I’m grabbing my keys and wallet from the kitchen counter before they’ve even made it halfway to the door. “Hold up,” I call to their retreating backs.

“Did you change your mind?” Everly asks, her face somehow lighting up even more.

“Yeah.” I lock eyes with Scott. “I want to see the shop.”

For a split second I think I see annoyance flash over his expression, but he smooths it out with his normal smarmy smirk. “Wonderful. Like I said, we’ll get some good footage of you guys showing the place off to your family.”

Unease curls in my belly. I have the sinking feeling that I’ve somehow revealed too much to this guy in only a few minutes.

But one look at his hand still on Alex’s back—far too low on her back—reminds me that it doesn’t matter. I’m not taking any chances when it comes to this douchebag. If Alex is going to be at the store with him, so am I.

* * *

I don’t knowa lot about Los Angeles retail, but even I can tell the store front is in a prime location. Smack dab in the middle of a bustling city street dotted with restaurants, bars, and shops, the foot traffic alone makes it obvious this is a great place for a clothing boutique.

A guy I’ve never seen before is standing in front of the store when we arrive. He looks nearly as excited as Everly, bouncing around like a hyper puppy. “You guys!” he calls, waving. “This is amazing! Look at this location! So perfect!”