Page 36 of Knot Your Sugar

The table’s warmth vanishes in an instant. James straightens, jaw tight. Dorian's expression goes cold. Cole doesn't move, but every line of his body sharpens, a low, warning growl rising from deep in his chest like thunder rumbling just before a storm breaks.

"Max," Dorian says evenly, "you're representing your team. Consider what impression you’re leaving."

Max startles slightly, finally registering Dorian's presence. "Mr. Beaumont! Didn't see you there." He puts on a clumsy veneer of respect. "My apologies, sir. Just offering congratulations to the winners."

But then his eyes slide back to me, greasy, lingering. "No harm in appreciating the… talent." His hand snakes under the table, landing hot and heavy on my thigh.

I go rigid, every nerve lighting up in icy shock.

Then everything happens at once.

James and Dorian both start to rise, but Cole is faster.

In a blur, he grabs Max by the hair and slams his face into the table with a brutal thunk.

The entire pub falls silent.

"That's enough." Cole's voice is low and deadly calm. "You're going to apologize to Ms. Avery. Then you're going to leave."

"I—I’m s-sorry," Max stammers, his voice muffled against the wood, blood starting to trickle from his nose. "M’sorry. Outta line."

Cole releases him and shoves him toward the door. Max scrambles away, stumbling over chairs in his haste to escape, leaving a stunned silence in his wake. Slowly, conversations resume around the pub, though now punctuated by whispers and sideways glances.

"Are you alright?" Cole asks, turning back to me immediately, his eyes scanning my face with protective concern.

"Yes," I manage, my voice a little shaky but steadying. "I’m fine. Thank you, Cole."

Dorian lets out a slow breath, sinking back into his chair. "That was impressive, Cole. You handled that with... efficiency."

"Yeah," James echoes, his tone laced with a touch of admiration. "Nice work, man."

Cole's gaze remains fixed on me, steady and reassuring. "Just did what had to be done."

Something settles in my chest as I look at these three men… They didn’t hesitate. Not for a second.

I drain the last of my beer and push back my chair, the sudden weight of the day catching up with me all at once. “Well. I think I’ve officially maxed out my excitement quota. I’m heading home, need to be rested for tomorrow.”

"Allow me to walk you home," Cole says immediately. "Just to be sure our little friend isn't lurking about."

"Thank you, Cole. I’d appreciate that."

James grins. "Sweet dreams, Elena."

Dorian rises and takes my hand, brushing his lips softly over my knuckles. “Sleep well,” he murmurs, his gray eyes lingering on mine.

* * *

The night air feels deliciously cool against my flushed skin as we step out of the warm, noisy pub. Above, the sky is a sweep of black velvet, dusted with an impossible number of stars. Lakeview at night always feels a little magical.

"You sure you’re okay?" Cole asks again, his deep voice a comforting rumble in the sudden quiet.

"Honestly? Yes." And surprisingly, I am. Maybe a little creeped out, but okay. "Thank you again, Cole. For stepping in back there. That was… impressive."

He shrugs, dismissing it easily. "He crossed a line. Someone had to put him back on the right side of it." There's a finality in his tone that brooks no argument.

"Still. You didn't have to—"

"Some things you do because you have to," Cole interrupts softly. "Others because you want to." The words hang between us, heavy with implication.

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