Page 37 of Prince Charming

The bar came to a standstill. While his rage blasted out of control, boiling his blood until he only saw red mist, a schmuck begging for his worthless life. The need to pulverize this fucker was strong until Rider’s big palm clapped on his shoulder from behind.

“That’s enough, brother, see to your girl, she’s upset.”

The old ladies rallied around Marianna.

Tag wanted to kill.

But it was her broken voice that brought him to heel when he heard. “I think I should leave.”

“Honey, it’s okay. Let Tag handle this.” One of them told her.

He dropped the piece of piss, letting him fall to the floor, gasping for air. “Get the fuck out,” he warned, “don’t let me see you again.”

The guy got gone. His first wise decision.

A knot formed in his throat when he turned to clock eyes with her. “You okay, darlin’?”

“Da. But I think I would like to leave. I can go alone if you wish to stay.” There was no choice what he’d do. He hooked up her hand.

So proud of how she walked out with her chin held high.

But the moment the cold air hit, she deflated.

“I don’t know him, Tag. But… but he knows me, from that place.”

God, his heart broke for her and all he could do was grab her up.

“Don’t think of that asshole, darlin’. He’s no one and he won’t come near you again.”

“How…how many more recognize me? How many men have seen…” she didn’t finish the sentence. His brain did though, and he felt violently murderous on her behalf.

If Grigori were alive now, he’d track the motherfucker down and make swiss cheese out of his body.

“Shhh, Anna. You’ve done nothing wrong.”

He didn’t know if she believed him.

Would he ever get her to a point of trusting him?

He’d fight all her battles if he could.

Keep her safe.

Earn her trust.

Win her heart.

TWELVE

“A biker kiss makes everything better.” - Marianna

Shame and annoyance burned hot through Marianna until she wanted to pulverize the brick wall in front of her.

This was not her fault.

It was not her fault.

She wanted to claw her skin off, go back in time and be a different person.

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