Page 41 of Bria and the Tiger

“I told you to leave.” Hudson’s voice reverberated above her.

The wolf shifter ignored Hudson. He stared unblinkingly at Jace as the tiger shifter stepped closer. “Take your hand off of her. I won’t ask again.”

“And if I don’t?” Patrick said.

Jace bared his fangs at him. “I’ll kill you, wolf shifter.”

Judd joined them. “What’s the fucking problem here?”

“No problem,” Jace said. “This asshole was just leaving.”

The wolf shifter studied him for a moment longer before releasing Bria’s arm. She slid out of the booth and Jace immediately pulled her into his embrace. She didn’t object, letting him slide his arm around her waist in a possessive grip.

“Leave,” Hudson said.

“Yeah, I’m leaving,” Patrick snarled. He slid out of the booth and Rosalie made a low moan of fright when his hot gaze fell on her. “Fucking human bitch.”

He took a step toward her and the heavy arm of the polar bear shifter circled around her. He pulled her up tight against his body, a low growl erupting from his chest.

“Buddy, you are getting on my last fucking nerve,” Judd said. “Get the fuck out now or I swear to God I’ll fucking ban your ass from this place for life.”

The wolf shifter snarled at him and Judd growled, his big body swelling.

“You want to fucking do this?” Judd said. “You think you can beat me?” His body swelled even more, and Patrick gave him an uncertain look before pushing past him.

“Fuck you, and fuck this place.”

He stalked toward the door, Judd following closely behind him.

Feeling a little shaky, Rosalie leaned against Hudson’s hard warmth. She smiled up at him. “Thank you.”

“You’re touching me again,” he said gruffly.

The polar bear made a valid point but even if she did let go, she wasn’t going anywhere. His arm was still around her, his hand holding her against him like she belonged to him.

“Lady, you’re touching me,” he repeated.

She stared down at his big hand cupping her hip for a second before saying, “Um, you’re touching me too.”

His hand tightened almost painfully before he muttered something under his breath and released her. He pulled free of her grip and stepped back so fast, she would have fallen if not for Jace catching her by the upper arm.

“You okay, Rosie?”

“Yes, thank you.” She watched the retreating back of the polar bear shifter before turning around. “Are you okay?”

Jace still had his arm around Bria’s waist but when Rosalie’s gaze lingered on his arm, he dropped it and stepped away from Bria.

“Fine. Sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

“That’s okay. I just - sometimes I forget that you’re a shifter.” She gave him a faint smile. “Bria, are you all right?”

“Don’t worry about me,” Bria said. She took Rosalie’s hand and squeezed it. “Did that asshole hurt you?”

“No, uh, the bartender helped me in the hallway so, um, I was fine.” Her gaze wandered back to Hudson. He was standing behind the bar and when he saw her staring at him, glared irritably at her before turning away.

“Okay, well, I guess I’m gonna go home and block Patrick’s number from my phone,” Bria said.

“Stay and have a drink with us,” Jace said.

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