Page 5 of The Merciless Don's Bride

I whirl around to find a man with greased-back hair and a smile sharp enough to cut. He’s cute though. So I indulge him for a second, dancing along. But as soon as he things I’m distracted, his hands begin to wander a little too far south. I catch his wrist before he can slide his fingers any lower giving him a sugar-sweet smile.

“Easy, cowboy.”

He laughs like he thinks I’m flirting. Like I’m impressed.

So dumb.

I peel away from him with a final flick of my hips, glancing at Chloe who is still lost in her own world. She needs some water to sober up and then we’re out of here. I walk towards Maxine who’s lips are pressed down in a frown.

“Would it kill you to let loose. Maxy?” I ask, one of my best friends whose caramel-toned skin and signature side-eye could stop traffic.

“Yes,” she replies without hesitation. “Can we go now?’

“I can’t believe you came all the way to Ibiza and you won’t even have one drink,” I mutter, signaling for the bartender. I ask for a glass of water and eh steps back to get it for me.

“I’m here to watch over you two and make sure you don’t get into any trouble.”

Her eyes are fixed on Chloe and I watch as her gaze turns sharper and she leans upright.

“Speaking of trouble,” she grits out, nodding towards our friend.

The greasy haired guy I was dancing with earlier is now prowling around Chloe. I watch her shake her head politely, trying to step away. then I see the asshole’s smile twist into something nasty. He tries to pull her closer but Chloe rips her hand away. Maxine and I are already walking over.

“I said no!” Chloe states, her voice small.

The asshole then makes a mistake. He mutters loud enough for us to hear over the music.

“Stupid bitch!”

Oh, hell no.

Something inside me snaps. Like a whip. I plaster on my best party-girl smile and saunter up to him, wrapping an arm around his shoulder like we’re old friends.

“Heyy, there you are!” I purr, my voice syrupy.

He blinks, confused but intrigued, his gaze sliding down my body like I’m dessert.So fucking predictable.

I nudge him toward the door.

“Come on, hotshot. Let’s get some air.”

He stumbles after me, eager as a puppy. I offer Maxine a quick look, nodding towards Chloe and silently asking that she take care of her. She mouths that I should be careful. But she knows I can handle myself.

Outside, the night air is thick and salty, buzzing with the sounds of distant music and rowdy tourists. I lead him down a side alley, just far enough from the entrance that no one will see. He doesn’t even notice how quiet it gets. How dark.

He’s too busy staring at my ass, my tits. Dumbass.

The second we’re alone, I spin on him, grabbing his wrist and wrenching his arm behind his back in one fluid move. He lets out a yelp of pain, trying to twist away, but I shove him face first against the stone wall.

“W-what the-?”

“Shut up.

My voice is low, cold, deadly. A far cry from the flirty little tease he thought he had a shot with. I lean in close, pressing my lips to his ear.

“You ever call a woman a bitch again,” I murmur, “And I won’t hesitate to break your fucking arm, got it? I have a black belt in Judo so you do not want to test me. Nod if you understand.”

He whimpers something that might be a yes before nodding frantically.

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