Page 2 of Between Regrets and Promises

“I’ve seen way too many domestic cases, and she has the signs written all over her. The way he jerked her toward the bar and how she cowered around him makes it more than obvious,” I say, my voice shaking with anger. Manipulation combined with a controlling personality can lead to abuse—orworse.

Her boyfriend orders another beer before stumbling to the table.

“What’re you looking at, you pussy ass bitch?” he asks, his voice laced with arrogance. “Wanna try me again?”

My brows shoot up. The fucking audacity. He’s goddamn lucky we’re in a public place right now, or I’d lay him flat on his back.

Liam steps in the way, hovering over Weston like a statue to put space between us. Considering he’s built like the Hulk and was a bouncer through college, he’s the last person anyone wants to fight.

The music in the room fades away, and all I can hear is my heart pumping blood through my body. Hunter tries to calm the situation, but it’s already escalated. The last thing I want to do is ruin Hayden and Savannah’s reception, so I step back.

Weston releases a maniacal laugh and raises his voice, garnering the attention of some of the guests. He’s intoxicated and out of control. “Where’s my whore at? I’m ready to get the fuck out of this lame-ass party.”

Hunter stiffens, and I can tell he’s ready to kick him out. Weston glances around again, his eyes are bloodshot. The fact that he’s already shit-faced makes me fear what Sophie has already dealt with today. Sophie’s reclusion and not acting like herself makes so much sense. She’s afraid of him, of what he’ll do, and the bruises on her face and swollen eye are proof of that. My nostrils flare, and I clench my teeth, anger mixing with my adrenaline. Balling my hands into fists, I try to calm down, but I want to kick this motherfucker’s face inside out.

“Did you hit her?” I ask flat out. I’m not going to play games with him.

“What the fuck is it to you?” He steps around Liam and gives me an evil grin. Stepping closer, he lowers his voice. “And I’ll do it again if she gets in my way.” Then he slams his palms against my chest, causing me to stumble back slightly before he walks out of the room, laughing. Though I shouldn’t allow myemotions to take over, I stalk after him. Hunter and Liam follow me into the hallway.

“Hey!” I shout from behind Weston as he exits the main doors that lead outside. Once I’m outside, I continue, “Don’t you ever lay another fucking hand on her,” I warn him with Hunter and Liam standing behind me.

“Or what?” He spins around and faces us. “What’re you assholes gonna do about it? Push me around again, you pussy? Pfft. You should mind your own damn business or else…” Weston sizes me up and straightens his shoulders as if he’s ready for a brawl. Unfortunately for him, I know how to fight, having had a boxing trainer for years. I may be slender, but my hands and body are weapons.

“You like punching so much, why don’t you hit someone your own size?”

“That all you got?” He stumbles as he takes a step closer.

“Don’t make me have to tell you again. This is your official warning: you touch her again, and you’ll be dealing with me.”

“With all of us,” Liam adds, stepping to my side with his arms crossed over his broad chest. He wasn’t a bar bouncer all through college for nothing.

Weston scoffs, rolling his eyes as if our threats mean nothing to him. He moves closer again, and the smell of alcohol oozes from him. “Keep it up, and she’ll be dead before you have the chance to save her,” he says with zero emotion in his voice. His words immediately cause me to see red, and I lose control of my actions. My anger guides me forward, closing the gap between us, daring him to throw the first punch.

Do it, motherfucker. Hit me.I puff out my chest, hoping his drunken ass does it.

Weston narrows his eyes and raises his arms. He swings at me, grazing my cheek enough to feel, but it barely makes a dent as I step back slightly.

“Bad idea, fuckface.” I lift my hands before he can even register it. My fist connects with his jaw, causing an ear-piercing crack. It should’ve knocked him out flat on his ass, but somehow, he only stumbles. When he regains his footing, it’s as if he snaps like a crazed psychopath. His pupils are full of rage, and he transforms from human to monster in seconds. I allow him to swing at me again, but he misses when I move. He tries again, but I throw another punch. This time, my fist smashes into his nose, and Weston releases a strangled cry as he curls down and covers his face. As soon as I do, Hunter and Liam pull me away, but I don’t budge. I need to make sure he stays down this time. Just when I think the asshole is done, and I step back to walk away, Weston fidgets and reaches behind his back.

“Hey!” he shouts, grabbing our attention, and that’s when I find a Glock pointed directly at me.

Where the fuck did that come from?I freeze, my heart pounding so hard I’m sure he can hear it.

“Now what, pussy boy?” He turns to the side and spits out blood. “You brought your fists to a fuckin’ gun fight.” Blood drips from his nose and lips that are split open and swollen, and his eye is nearly sealed shut. I slowly hold up my hands, hoping he’s not crazy enough to shoot me but knowing he just might be. You don’t pull a gun on someone unless you plan to use it, and I’m not stupid enough to call his bluff.

That insane cackle returns, piercing through me. I glance over and see Hunter and Liam standing behind me, both with their arms up too, and realize the situation I got them into.Fuck.

I think about Sophie’s beautiful face and how amazing she is, and how long she’s been with this terror of a man. I wonder how many nights she’s gone to bed scared of him, or worse, scared for her life. Just the thought of him hurting her has me seething all over again. She’s the reason I confronted him in the firstplace, because she deserves better than this piece of shit who lays his hands on her.

“Not so brave now, are ya?” He steadies his hand, continuing to aim at me. I look down the barrel, hoping these aren’t my last moments alive.

“Just put the gun down, Weston,” Hunter says calmly. “You don’t have to do this.”

“Shut the fuck up,” Weston snaps. “If any of you says another goddamn word…I’m pulling the fuckin’ trigger. Three bullets is all I’ll need for each one of you.”

My blood pumps faster when he narrows his eyes at me. I’ve seen enough shit to know what happens next. In my mind, I can imagine it all so vividly, the evidence they’ll collect, and the pictures they’ll take when they find my splattered brains on the concrete. Everything seems to happen in slow motion, but whatever I do next has to be calculated with no sudden movements.

The gun clicks as he chambers a round, and the sound echoes in my ear.

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