Page 31 of Back to You
Vincent grimaced.“I really hope you won’t.I wouldn’t put it past Lou to use that against you, and I don’t want anything to happen to you.”It couldn’t be worse than what Vincent’s father had done, but still.
“I don’t think Lou auctions rare shifters,” Ronan pointed out.
“God, I hope not.Honestly, he’s not smart enough to do something like that.He’s just an asshole.”
“Then I can deal with him with no problem.”
Vincent nodded.He knew that Ronan could deal with Lou.That didn’t mean he wanted him to have to do it.
Vincent was afraid of losing Ronan again.He especially didn’t want to lose Ronan to fuckingLou, who was nothing more than a bully.
They fell silent as Vincent drove them to Peter’s apartment.Vincent had told his friend that he could stay at his place for as long as he wanted and needed to, yet Peter had gone home, where he knew Lou was waiting because the asshole had basically moved himself in without asking Peter if he could.Why had Peter gone back?Vincent was happy because it meant that he’d finally reached his breaking point, but at the same time, it felt like Peter had been hurting himself willingly.
They’d have to have a conversation about that.It would be hard for Vincent not to sayI told you so, but he wouldn’t.He was pretty sure that Peter had known this was how things would end with Lou, anyway, and there had to be a reason he’d still been willing to try.What that reason was, was anyone’s guess, but it didn’t matter.Lou was in the past, or rather, he would be as soon as Vincent took care of him.
He parked in front of the apartment building and rushed inside without checking that Ronan was following him.He knew his mate was.He didn’t have to ask.He heard screaming before he even reached the right floor.He was ready to fight by the time he did, and he kind of hoped that Lou would give him a reason to hit him.Vincent wasn’t normally a violent person, but some people really brought it out in him.
Peter was nowhere to be seen when they reached his apartment door, but the door was open, and a shoe came sailing out of it.Ronan pulled Vincent back so he wouldn’t get hit, and they peeked in together.
Lou had his back to them.He was holding up his hands, while Peter, who was in front of him, was throwing things at him.The t-shirt he threw next didn’t go far, but the book after it hit Lou on the thigh.
“It wasn’t my fault,” Lou said.
“Oh?Please tell me how it wasmyfault thatyoucheated on me.”
“You suck in bed, babe.I had to get what I needed somewhere else, but you’re the only one I love.”
Peter threw another shoe at Lou’s head.This time, it landed, and Vincent would have laughed if Lou hadn’t taken the opportunity to launch himself forward.
Vincent moved without thinking, but he didn’t get there first.No, Ronan did.
He grabbed Lou’s arm and pulled him back.Lou yelped, but Ronan ignored him and dragged him out of the apartment, slamming him against the wall in the hallway.
Vincent turned to Peter, who was staring at Lou and Ronan as if he’d seen a ghost.In a way, he had.He hadn’t seen Ronan since he’d vanished four years ago.
“What the fuck is happening?”Lou bellowed.“Who the fuck is this guy?”
Vincent grinned.“This is my mate, Ronan.Ronan, this is Peter’s ex.”
“I’m not his ex,” Lou argued.
“You are,” Peter said as he stepped forward.
“Baby, please.”
“Don’tbabyme.I never should have let things go as long as I did, but I’m done now.If I ever see you again, I’ll call Ronan and make sure he makes it hurt.”
Lou attempted to fight Ronan’s hold, but Ronan was stronger than a human.He slammed Lou against the wall again, then leaned closer to murmur something into his ear.That seemed to be enough because when Ronan let go, Lou scrambled to get as far away from him as possible.
Vincent knew that Ronan had things in hand, so he turned to Peter and opened his arms.Peter dove between them, and Vincent felt his friend’s tears dampen his skin.
“I’m sorry I interrupted your date,” Peter murmured.
“You never have to be sorry about that.Both Ronan and I wanted to be here for you.”And that was another sign that Ronan might have changed, but not that much.It was time for Vincent to let go of his fears and give Ronan and their relationship a real chance.
He felt he was finally ready for it.
Chapter Six
