Page 61 of Silver Tears

Ryan takes a step forward, so he’s back in my space. “He’s really what you want? Collings’ is not from our world, Milly. He doesn’t understand you like I do.”

“If you know what’s good for you, you’ll back off,” Eliza suggests to him, gesturing with her head to where the three Aces are standing, observing everything.

I swallow. This isn’t good.

“Ryan, just leave it, okay? Don’t make trouble,” I beg him, pleading with my eyes.

“We need to talk in private,” he insists, placing his hand at my elbow and trying to urge me off the dancefloor.

I attempt to jerk him off me, but he grips me tighter. “Ouch. Ryan, you’re hurting me. Let go!”

Seb knocks his arm away from me. “Did you just touch her!” He steps right up into Ryan’s face, pulling his shoulders back and clenching his fists. He moves so fast I didn’t see him come over.

Ryan half smirks at him. “I was just saying hello.”

Seb glares at him. The entire room has fallen silent as everyone watches the exchange with bated breath. “It looked like you man-handled her to me. She isn’t yours anymore, pal. You’d do well to remember that.”

Ryan scoffs, smiling in that over-confident way that I know will get Sebs back up even more. Seb is usually all smiles and charm, but the deadly look on his face right now reminds me who he is and the rumours that circulate about him and the two guys at his back.

“Relax, Collings. She’s all yours. I discarded her and moved on. She’s a little frigid prude, anyway. Tell me, has she put out for you, yet? If not, I wouldn’t hold my breath.”

“Fuck you,” I hiss, placing my drink down and moving to step up to him. Archer throws an arm out and stops me from getting any closer. He firmly shakes his head at me.

“Who the fuck do you think you are to think you can talk about my girlfriend like that?” Seb grinds out. “Maybe she didn’t put out because she knew what a dirty dick you have.”

Ryan snickers, folding his arms across his chest. “Like you can talk, Collings. Different girl every weekend, isn’t it? Milly will come crawling back to me when she realises you're just using her to piss off her family.”

Smack!

I hear what sounds like a bone crack as Ryan hits the floor and Seb follows him, raining his fist into his face. “I’ll fuck you up, Jones. No one speaks about her like that.” He growls as Ryan gets a feeble hit into Seb’s jaw.

I duck under Archer’s arm and rush over, grabbing a hold of Sebs’ arm just as he swings his elbow back, and it hits me hard in the right boob.

“Fuck!” I hiss, clutching at my boob. Seb’s head spins in my direction at the impact and he grimaces when he realises what has happened.

“Shit, precious. What the fuck!” He drops Ryan from where he clutches at his T-shirt and the idiot slumps to the floor with a groan.

Seb is up in my space, his face stricken with concern. “Never get behind a guy when he’s fighting, Mills. Fuck. I’m sorry.”

I shake off his apology. It is my stupid fault. I side glance into the room and see a sea of phones out, filming the encounter. Great! Now it’s going to be all over social media.

“Let’s just leave,” I plead. I’ve seriously had enough of this party and Ryan. “Please.”

Seb nods his head, kissing my forehead. He throws his arm over my shoulder, tucking me protectively into his side. He reaches for Ruby, grabbing her hand. “You’re coming too, girly.”

Ruby drops her empty cider bottle on to a side table as he tugs her along behind us. The rest follow closely behind us. The crowd once again parts for them as they wind their way through the house. No doubt this will be the talk of the Bay for the next couple of weeks. We head outside and Seb unlocks his car.

“Hey, Ruby. Ride with us,” Vee says, slipping her hand into my friends and guiding her towards her waiting car. Ruby looks over her shoulder at me and shrugs, going with the flow. Archer and Eliza climb into the back of Seb’s car. He opens the passenger door and fusses over me when I climb in, fastening my belt for me.

“I got hit in the boob. I’m not disabled,” I snap. I’m still reeling over everything that just went down. There’s also a small part of me that finds it hot that he stood up for me and put Ryan in his place. I mean, it was all for show, but even so.

I realise that we’re headed to the Savage mansion. I’d assumed we were going to the party Seb had told me about.

“Grab her some ice,” Seb barks to Archer as we all walk through into the kitchen. The Aces houses are a sight for sore eyes. All four mansions stand at the top of the highest hill in Hawk Bay; residing over the Bay and its inhabitants as a reminder of their power and influence. He lifts me by the waist and pops me on top of the kitchen worktop. “Sorry,” he mutters, cursing at himself under his breath.

I place my hand over his. “I’m fine. Stop fussing.”

Archer walks over and offers a towel filled with ice. Seb twists the towel to ensure the ice is secure before he hands it to me. If he thinks I’m getting my tits out in front of everyone, he’s mistaken. I reach out and wipe the blood off the side of his mouth where Ryan got one hit in. “You need cleaning up.”

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