Page 61 of Fourth Wheel
He peers up at me from under the bill of his hat, his face red, and his eyes hazy.
“Get your hands off her,” I demand, my voice carrying over the sounds of the bar.
The handsy asshole smirks, then looks over to Maddie before turning back to me.
When our eyes meet, he blinks several times, almost like he can’t believe what he’s seeing.
“Holy shit. Holy fucking shit.” His expression is wild as he searches my face, his words loud and sloppy. “How’re you already back on your feet, you crazy fucker? I thought you might end up dead after that beating.”
I tense with realization, and my brain riots with indecision. My heart leaps into my throat as I inhale, calm my nerves, and figure out a way to get toher.
This must be Andrew Adley. The man—if one could call him that—who made sport of leading his friends in a ten against one assault on my brother. Thecowardwho threatened my girl with the promise of unwanted attention after she stepped in and put a stop to his antics.
No fucking way.
I watch, helpless, as Adley leans in and whispers something in her ear. Maddie’s face twists in disgust, and she bats his hand away again, squirming out of his hold and hopping off the barstool in one swift motion.
Her eyes find mine again from across the bar top, and I make her a silent vow that I know she understands.
You’re safe. I won’t let anything stand in the way of keeping you safe.
“Get out,” I command.
Adley looks me up and down and laughs. “Yeah right, bar boy. You can’t kick me out. My picture’s on the goddamn wall hanging over your head. I’m a paying customer, just like this bitch over here.” He cocks his head to the side, to where Maddie’s standing, trapped in place because of the crowd.
I don’t bother replying. Instead, I stalk toward the end of the bar without taking my eyes off my girl. I elbow through the crowd, laser focused on my target. When I reach her, I can’t get her behind me fast enough.
“I said get out,” I spit at Adley, gripping Maddie’s hand as I guide her backward toward the bar.
He smirks again, assessing me lazily like he doesn’t have a care in the world. “What are you? Her dad?” He looks past me then, directing his next comment at Maddie.
“Did you forget to tell Daddy we had a deal? I told you not to wander off last weekend. You still gotta pay up with that pussy.”
She tightens her grip on my hand, but it does nothing to stop my reaction.
“Tristan!” I holler to get his attention, pointing to Maddie and aggressively shoving her in his direction. “Get her behind the bar. Now.” I turn back to see the shock in her expression, but I have to make sure she’s safe.
I turn back and stride forward two steps, then wind up with a right hook that lands squarely on Adley’s temple. He stumbles back, crashing into a group of girls who have boyfriends that are apparently as protective as me.
Someone screams, “Fight!” as chaos ensues on all sides. Bodies move at once, some trying to get away from the commotion, others clamoring to be in the middle of the action. It’s impossible for me to move in any direction.
I glance back and see Maddie standing next to Tristan behind the bar. I also see Jake storming over toward the chaos I just caused.
Enough stools are now vacated that I can hop the bar, just barely clearing it as Jake comes to a halt in front of me.
“What the fuck is happening?” he demands as he grabs for his bullhorn.
I meet his enraged gaze with a surly stare. There’s not enough time or truth to explain anything now. Not with a fight breaking out on the floor.
Jake jumps onto the bar, knocking over drinks in the process. He sounds the horn for several seconds, and one of the other guys pauses the music. I move to stand next to Maddie, desperate to ensure she’s unharmed.
“You’re okay,” I murmur into her mass of blond waves as I slink one arm around her stomach and pull her into my side. She melts into my touch, but her breathing is ragged as she tries to keep her composure.
“I’ve got you,” I whisper, rubbing what I hope feels like comforting circles along her hip. We’re both laser focused on the man standing on top of the bar, commanding everyone’s attention.
“What the fuck do ya’ll think you’re doing starting a fight inmybar?”
Adley steps forward, unsteady on his feet, looking like he’s taken a few more hits since I landed the first punch.
