Page 51 of Cursed
“Let go of me, Brian.” I kept my voice low, not wanting to cause a scene.
He ignored me but tightened his fingers on my skin, his touch bruising.
Cain’s face, mostly covered by the mask, didn’t seem to change, but his icy attention landed on Brian’s hand, and, for a moment, his irises seemed to flash with darkness, a black cloud momentarily covering the sun.
“Release her.” Cain’s voice, quiet and low, snarled. “Or I will kill you.”
Brian, instead of being cowed, laughed then yanked me to his side.
I tried to twist from his grip, but he crushed my arm. “Stop, Brian. You’re hurting me.”
“No more than you hurt me.” Brian’s lip curled as he raked his gaze over my face, then he turned to Cain and pushed his index finger into the bigger man’s chest. “Get out of here, dickface. Phoebe’s not dancing with anyone else tonight.”
Clenching my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms, I raised a leg, ready to stomp on Brian’s foot.What an asshole.I knew he’d been angry since I’d dumped him, but to stoop to this level, like a wounded alpha needing to mark his territory, disgusted me.
Before I had time to crush his toes, Cain shot out a hand and gripped Brian’s lapels. “Let her go.” Cain’s voice was a deadly sword cutting through the music.
“Or what?” Alcohol wafted from Brian’s breath. Instead of loosening his hold on my arm, he dragged me against him, and I tried not to whimper. His punishing fingers were a vise slowly crushing my bones.
“Or you will die.” Cain’s gaze flicked to mine, to my imprisoned arm, then to Brian’s face. “And everyone else in here.”
Uneasiness tumbled in my stomach.
The song finished at the same time as Cain’s last sentence and his words seemed extra loud in the silence. Dancing couples stopped. Their attention became a heavy blanket settling over the three of us, smothering and cloying.
“Hey, Brian,” Kira said, darting a quick, wary glance to me. “Let’s go back to dancing, okay? You promised we’d dance all night if I wanted.”
Brian, ignoring everyone except Cain, pointedly gave Cain’s hands on his suit a disgusted glance. “I’m not scared of a man who hides his face all the time.” He glanced to me. “Is this your big, bad savior, Phoebe? Looks like a pussy.” Brian burped directly into Cain’s face.
“Stop it,” I hissed through the pain.
Cain clenched his jaw, released Brian, and took a backward step, closing his eyes as if in concentration or thought.
Is he really backing down?It was hard to believe, especially after the bravery he’d shown standing up to Brian the last time they’d met.
“See? Told ya he was a puss.” With a quick snatch of his free hand, Brian ripped the mask from Cain’s face, tossing it to the floor.
“That was your second mistake,” Cain growled through clenched teeth, holding a hand to his eye as if shielding half of his face.
“What a loser,” Brian said as he yanked me to follow him. “Now, let’sgo, Phoebe.”
“Stop being such a jerk.” I raked my nails down the back of his suit jacket and jerked my imprisoned hand against his iron grip, but he didn’t budge as he dragged me through the throng of stupefied onlookers. “What’s wrong with you? I’m not—”
“She’s going nowhere.” Moving like a wraith, Cain’s tall, muscular frame blocked Brian’s path, and he uncovered his face, lifting his chin. He locked his gaze onto mine, and I could almost hear him whisper,“Trust me, okay?”
I gave the barest hint of a nod, not sure if I was losing my mind at voices in my head or letting him know Ididtrust him for some strange reason.
Maybe it’s because even though he’s a petty thief, he’s never hurt me.
Murmuring started around the room as the crowd watched the two men.
Great. We’ve now become the talk of the school.But I couldn’t concentrate on them because my arm screamed for release.How long can a limb go without blood flow?
Cain’s tattoo seemed to glow under the low light, becoming tiny silver stars in the sea of his enchanting face. Even through my agony, I sucked in a breath. His strange beauty entranced me, making him a dark and predatory ancient god descended to Earth. Rage flashed in his gaze as he shoved himself closer to Brian’s chest, their faces only inches apart.
Brian’s breathing sped up, and he yanked me to stand beside him. The scent of alcohol on his breath made my eyes water.
Guess it explains why he’s acting like such a douche canoe tonight.
