Page 77 of The Innocent

“What are you doing here?” His tone was harsher than intended. This whole scene had him on the brink of losing control.

“Um.” She glanced over at Gent, which only heightened his anger. Why the fuck was she looking to him as some type of savior or ally?

Jekyll stepped in front of her, blocking her view of Gent. Her gaze traveled up his chest, locking in on his stare.

“Gent invited me.” Her voice was shaky, and he took a deep breath, trying to calm down. The last thing he wanted was her to be scared of him.

“We ran into each other at Barry’s. Figured since she was staying in Killcreek, why not have her come to the party,” Gent said. “As my date.”

Imogene’s mouth fell open, her eyes widened, and he heard the harsh gasp. She leaned past him.

“It’s not a date!”

Jekyll turned to find Gent smirking. “It’s not? Are you sure? ’Cause it kind of feels like a date.”

Jekyll clenched his jaw, knowing at this point Gent was now fucking with Imogene too. No one was safe around this psychotic asshole.

She shook her head, darting her eyes between him and Gent. “He didn’t pick me up. It’s not a date.”

Gent burst out laughing, and Jekyll glanced up at the ceiling trying to regain control of his anger.

He jerked his stare back to Imogene. She gave a shaky smile, shifting her gaze between him and Gent.

“Gent?” Cross sidled up next to him. “Need a word with you. Now.”

Gent stood, rounding Imogene’s back. The smile playing on his lips had Jekyll straightening his back and balling his fists. He was dangerously close to her, and Jekyll didn’t like it.

Cross grabbed the back of his cut, pushing him forward. “I should’ve fucking let Wraith kill you.”

Jekyll was watching them cross the room when he felt her hand on his arm. His muscles tightened instantly.

“I’m sorry. Gent said you wouldn’t mind if I came to the party.”

I bet he did.

“But um” —She cleared her throat and pulled her hand away, slipping off the stool— “It’s clear from your expression that you do mind, so” —she hooked her thumb over her shoulder— “I’ll leave.”

She moved an inch, and he shot out his arm, curling his hand over her hip. She stilled and glanced up, and he leaned closer, leaving only a small gap between them.

This was a mistake. A huge fucking one. And still…he didn’t hesitate.

“You’re not going anywhere.”

Chapter Ten

This is awkward.

For all her excitement when he told her to stay, it was quickly dwindling. Jekyll was being an attentive host. Kind of. After the incredibly uncomfortable and tense moment with Gent, Jekyll ordered her to grab her drink. He led her through the crowds, and into the back. It must’ve been an addition to the original house. It was a huge room, reminding her more of a banquet hall than a MC clubhouse. Even for the size, it was packed with people.

His steps were much longer than hers, and she had to speed walk just to keep up with him. It cut down on her time to check out her surroundings until they stopped a few feet from the large cage in the center of the room. Two men were boxing.

She cocked her head. Intense boxing. She was pretty sure they were breaking dozens of rules. There weren’t any gloves, no referee, and lots of blood. When one of the men fell to the ground, the other gave a sharp kick to his ribs. Imogene winced, unknowingly inching closer to Jekyll and inadvertently bumping his arm.

“You don’t like fights?”

She pointed to the cage. “I’m pretty sure kicking someone when they’re down is illegal.”

“Not here.”