Page 109 of Forever Cursed

As I reach for my bag, he wraps his hand around my wrist and pulls me into him. Forcing me against his chest, he looks down at me.

“Tell me you don’t feel it,” he whispers before moving in to kiss me.

Feet shuffle, and I know Rome is making a charge to save me, but I’m not a damsel in distress or a prize to be won.

Pressing my hands against his chest, I push Malik hard, making him stumble backward.

“What don’t you fucking get?!” I shout at him as Rome comes to an abrupt stop. “You aren’t Rome. You’ll neverbeRome. Not to your team and certainly not with me. If you ever touch me again, I will kick you in the balls so hard you’ll taste them in yourmouth! Do you understand me?” My throat is raw from raising my voice. I don’t often yell, but when I do, I mean it.

I pin Malik with a glare.

He stares at me, unsure what to do next. His eyes are blank, no fear, just confusion. Like I had the audacity to push him away.

“I said, do you understand?”

Without responding, Malik turns on his heels and walks out the door, leaving me stuck between fury and vulnerability.

Chapter Forty-Nine

Rome

Iwasn’t watching them the entire time. I promised Chrissy I wouldn’t and that I would behave. It was only when he put his hands on her that I moved, ready to shove him through the window and pummel his face in. She didn’t want him to kiss her, and why would she? He’s gross, and his intentions are slimy.

Like the coward he is, he scrambled out the door, leaving the three of us in shock.

Malik tried to kiss my girl.Mygirl. In front of me. He didn’t care. He wanted her, and he’s not learning his fucking lesson. He’ll never get my wildflower. She doesn’t want him. He isn’t worthy of someone like her.

“Are you okay?” I ask quietly, unsure where her mind is at.

When she nods subtly, I reach for her.

“Can I hug you?”

“Please,” she mumbles, her voice cracking as her chest heaves.

Without wasting another moment, I wrap my arms around her, holding her tightly against my chest. She continues to work on catching her breath.

Gwen appears, and I meet her worried expression and give her a nod, telling her that she’s okay. She presses her lipstogether before walking over to the front door and deadbolting it.

“You’re okay,” I whisper as I kiss the top of Chrissy’s curls. “You’re safe.”

Her arms find their way around my waist, and she embraces me back.

“I won’t let anyone hurt you or touch you.”

She nods and nuzzles closer. I run my hands up and down her back in an attempt to soothe her.

“It’s you and me, right?”

With another nod, she looks up at me and releases a shaky breath. “Right.”

“That’s my girl.”

I kiss her forehead as a car parks outside the café. Max, Ash, and Zack are here.

“Your brother is here. Do you want me to get him?”

She grips me tighter, not budging from her spot.

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