Page 14 of Justice

Really? Was it that surprising that a man as handsome as Sebastian might touch the likes of me? I bristled again. All these alpha males were going to turn me into a cactus before the night was through. “Hello?! Are any of you going to answer me? Or have you all lost your marbles?”

Lucky recovered first, his voice low as he stepped closer. “You want Sebastian to stay?”

I faltered, my hand slipping slightly from Sebastian’s. He stiffened before pulling out of my grip entirely.

I swallowed, trying not to feel the sting of rejection. “I don’t think he should leave unless he wants to. We’re just talking. What’s wrong with that?”

“Nothing.” Lucky’s face softened. “Literally nothing at all. We’ll go and dance.”

Lucky sauntered off into the crowd, his two boyfriends following on his heels like well-trained guard dogs.

I sighed. Lucky truly deserved his name.

“What about the rest of you?” I turned my smile on those on the opposite side of the bar. “Can Sebastian have a drink now? Or are you going to explain to me why he needs to leave?”

Mori and River exchanged a look before the latter shrugged. “Fine. If he behaves, he can stay.”

“I am capable of behaving in polite society.” Sebastian’s tone cut like a knife.

“I’ll believe it when I see it.” River gave Sebastian one more withering look before stalking away. Mori poured a healthy amount of gin into a glass, slamming it down on the counter before joining his boyfriend.

“I’m sorry about them,” I said as I perched back on my stool. “They’re normally so welcoming.”

Sebastian was eyeballing the glass of gin Mori had left. “Maybe it’s best if I leave.”

My heart sank. There was me standing up to the others for him, and Sebastian didn’t even want to be here. “Of course. You don’t need to keep me company. I’m sure you have better things to do.”

“I do have better things to do. Many better things.”

I twisted on my stool, picking up the bellini River had put on the bar top before things had gone south. “Okay, you go do them then. I’m going to finish my drink, then I’ll dance some more.”

I didn’t look around. I didn’t want to watch Sebastian leave.

To my utter surprise though, a long-suffering sigh cut through the air before Sebastian’s profile appeared in my periphery. “They don’t like me talking to you.”

“That makes sense.”

“Does it?”

“Of course.” I took a sip of my drink before offering Sebastian a small smile. “You’re far too good for me.”

Sebastian’s lips twitched. For a split second, I wondered if I was going to get a smile from him. “You’re joking.”

“Why would I be joking?”

I went to lift my glass, but Sebastian stopped me. One of his long, slender fingers touched my wrist, resting on my pulse point. Could he feel my heart racing? Fudge, I hoped not. That’d be embarrassing. He was barely touching me but my whole body was responding like he’d stripped me naked.

“You must be joking because I’m not too good for you. That implies there’s something in me that’s worthwhile.”

My head was spinning. What was Sebastian trying to tell me? “I don’t believe that. Everyone has good lurking somewhere. It might be hidden, but it’s there.”

Sebastian’s lips twisted, but there was no humour in it. “Really? Everyone?”

The man from a night not dissimilar to this one reappeared in my mind.

I pulled my hand back, tucking them both into my lap.

“Not everyone is good, Matty. Least of all me. I’m ruthless. Unforgiving. That’s why everyone wanted me to leave. That’s why River is watching us so closely. Why Dagon and Dimitri are hovering at the edge of the dance floor. They’re protecting you. From me. I’m an evil…person. Someone you should stay far away from.”

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