Page 12 of Prospect
"You don't have to do that, Sam. I'll be okay," Sofia insists.
Shaking my head, I tell her, "No. I'll take you." I turn to the group. "We'll be on in a minute." The guys give me a look of approval as we head in separate directions.
I'm standing outside the restaurant where Sofia went in to use the restroom when a chick with bleach blonde hair and a shit ton of makeup on her face comes sauntering in my direction with an exaggerated sway to her hips. She and her friend have been eye fucking me the past couple of minutes, and I knew one of them was bound to approach me; even though nothing about the look on my face says I'm interested.
"Hi there," the blonde say batting her eyelashes.
Sighing, I give her my attention. "Not interested."
"Oh, come on now. You look like you're here for a good time. We can have some fun together. Maybe take me back to your clubhouse."
Jesus fucking Christ. This must be what the guys were talking about when they said a lot of women come into town looking to hook up with a biker. "It's not going to happen—get lost." It's not like me to be so rude to a female, but I'll be damned if my girl comes out here and is faced with this shit. Sofia's feelings are the only ones that matter right now. The blonde sneers, turns her nose in the air and toters back over toward her friend. A beat later Sofia appears from inside the restaurant.
"Thanks for waiting for me."
"I'd wait forever for you, Firefly."
As we push through the crowd, I notice Sofia's unease. Over to our right, I spot an alleyway that I know cuts through the block supplying a shortcut to the pavilion. Tugging on her hand, I lead us down the alley.
Once we are about halfway down the alley a voice calls out behind us. "Look who the fuck we have here." Turning I see three guys. One is the same man that was kicked out of Charlie's the other day. "You remember me, asshole," he taunts strolling in mine and Sofia's direction. "Is this the guy who broke your nose, Johnny?" his friend asks.
"Sure as fuck is. I think the asshole needs a taste of his own medicine."
Sofia has a death grip on my hand, and a look of fear on her face as the three men continue their advance. Oh, hell no. These motherfuckers don't realize just how bad they screwed up. Ushering my girl behind me, I stand to my full height. "It would be in your best interest to turn the fuck around and walk back the same way you came," I warn my voice low and even. Turning to Sofia, I gesture for her to get out of here. Not heeding my warning the guy whose nose I busted advances on me and takes a swing. Ducking, I avoid the punch. Instead, I deliver a solid blow to his gut, then bring my booted foot up to his chest and send him to the ground. Leaning over the man who is now laying flat on his back; the same man who dare scare my girl, I fist his shirt and deliver another blow to his face. "You piece of fuckin' shit," I seethe. Just as I raise my fist once again, I hear Sofia cry out behind me.
"Sam, look out!"
I turn just in time to see the man's buddy fly at my back. Before he has a chance to sucker punch me, Logan comes out of nowhere, tackling him to the ground.
Chapter six
Sofia
Within seconds the rest of The Kings men arrive. Just as another man rushes in trying to peel Sam off his friend, Gabriel grabs the guy by the collar of his Polo shirt, yanking him back. His feet dangle as Gabriel lifts him a couple of inches off the ground before slamming his body to the ground, knocking the breath from the man's lungs. To my left, Logan hovers over the second man. My eyes shift back to Sam who delivers a sharp blow to his target’s rib cage bringing him to his knees. Immediately, Jake steps in. Clasping his hand over Sam's shoulder, he instructs him to stop. "That's enough, son."
I watch as Logan and Gabriel step back allowing the guy's buddies to pick their battered friend off the ground by the arms, then watch them scuffle away never looking back.
Once again, my eyes fall on Sam. Jake and the men are talking with him in hushed tones a couple of yards away. Jake's body partially obstructs his face as he stares at the ground, nodding a few times at whatever is being said to him. I've never seen Sam so angry. The moment he lifts his head he zeros in on me. My eyes lock with his and instantly I watch his rage subsides, and his expression softens as tension leaves his body. Standing here among the other women, Sam is the only person I focus on as he stalks toward me. My heart continues to race even though the confrontation with those men has ended. Stopping in front of me, Sam takes my face in the palms of his hands.
"You okay?" his touch calms my nerves yet lights my skin on fire at the same time.
I part my lips sucking in a breath. "I'm okay," I assure him.
"You sure?" he searches my eyes for the truth.
I nod. "Promise."
Someone's throat clears, snapping us both from the little bubble we've created. "Now, what do you say we get on that pontoon Quinn's dad loaned us for the night and get ready to watch the fireworks show?" Jake announces grabbing Grace around her waist.
Sam glances down at me and grins before dropping his hands. Letting others lead the way we fall back a few steps behind them. "I'm sorry I put you in that situation back there, Firefly."
"They started it, Sam."
"The look on your face," he pauses, "Fear. I don't like it beautiful. It won't happen again."
Doing something I never do, I slip my hand in his. "I knew you wouldn't let anything happen to me. I feel safe with you, Sam. I'm more relieved you're okay and the other guys showed up when they did," I confess.
Silence falls between us as we walk along the pebbled shoreline on our way to the boat launch. The boat finally comes into view. Stopping, everyone boards the pontoon. After sitting down on the bench seat along the railing, Sam notices me shiver when the wind gusts.
