Page 153 of Delicate Storm

Paige

Easton glances around the room and my chest flutters. As much as I’d love to see him beat the shit out of Christian after the little stunt he pulled… “I think it’s best if we leave.”

“Fuck, no.” Easton stands tall and for the first time I have absolutely no doubt that I’m in love with him. And I’d rather talk about that than confront my ex.

“He’s harmless.” Grabbing Easton’s hand, I turn to drag him away. “Let’s—”

“Who’s your friend?” Christian calls out and I cringe. We were so close.

I try to keep walking, but Easton stands firm and there is no way I’m moving him.

“Paigey baby, wait.”And…Christian’s drunk now. Great.

“Paigey baby?” Easton grates from beside me, and I squeeze his hand to calm him.

“He’s drunk, East. Can we please go?”

“Why did you call me? What did he do?”

“Let’s talk about it somewhere else.”

“Paige.”

“He sent an intimate photo of us to his friend, who happens to have a contact at the modeling agency I work for.”

“The fuck?” Easton pulls his hand from my grasp and steps forward as Christian greets us.

“You must be the new man Paige was talking about. If you need any tips on how to handle her, I’ve got plenty.”

Easton’s fists clench as he steps forward, but before he can open his mouth, I step between them. “What the hell, Christian?”

Hayley rushes forward, but I shake my head to stop her before turning to face Easton, securing my palms on his chest as I glance up at him.

“Please, Easton. He’s not worth it. I promise he didn’t hurt me—they’re just threats. I need to keep you out of it. Please let me do that.”

“Fuck, Paige.” His strained voice makes me even more determined to remove him from the situation. He’s not thinking clearly. Because if he was, he’d realize I’m right.

I push him back a few steps, and he reluctantly lets me guide him, but his eyes remain locked on Christian behind me. “Don’t make me drop to my knees and beg you,” I whisper, drawing his gaze. “Because I will. Right here in front of everyone. I’ll beg.”

A strangled groan releases from his throat, but his eyes alight with fire. “You’re playing dirty, Paige.”

“Take me home and I’ll show you how dirty I can be.”

“Why won’t you let me talk to him?”

“Because I’m worried about you. Please think about it.”

Easton sucks in a breath and I copy him, waiting to see what he does next. His eyes bounce between Christian’s and mine before he finally unclenches his fists and turns, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. “Let’s go.”

Thank God.I sigh in relief, my gaze bouncing around the room to find we haven’t drawn as much attention as I thought. Hayley catches my eye and waves, motioning for me to leave as her gaze flits to Christian. I glance back his way, ready for a triumphant smirk, but he’s frowning as he watches us, completely ignoring his fiancée beside him.

When we reach the door, a wave of air rushes into my lungs as though I’m finally able to breathe, and it’s only then that it hits me how badly that could have gone. Easton could have lost Isaac. Macy doesn’t need much ammunition to take him away. And I’ll bet she’s ready to pounce the second Easton files for custody.

Easton’s silent on the way to his truck, so I keep my mouth shut, but the second we reach it, he pushes me against the door, his hand curling around my throat as he forces me to look at him. “I have never wanted to hurt someone as much as I wanted to hurt that poor excuse of a man. Thank you.”

“Thank you?” My eyes widen as I stare up at him, at the same moment his hold on me softens.

“You were right. I couldn’t see past my rage. Don’t get me wrong. I would have hurt him for you, but it would have come at a cost.”

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