I snarled. “Fuck off.”
Another boy snickered. “She’s got spunk. I like spunk.”
The boy staring at Clint grinned. “I hate spunk.”
Clint grimaced. “Good thing it isn’t up to you either way.”
“Oh, yeah? And what makes you think that?”
I giggled bitterly. “Because you don’t get to control me.”
All four of the boys looked over at me and I clung tightly to Clint. I didn’t know what to do. I didn't know what the right move was. Mom taught me to always stand up for myself. But what the hell was I supposed to do in a situation like this? I didn’t want to run. I didn’t want to abandon Clint. And yet, I knew I was the target. I knew if they got through Clint, I’d be in a hell of a lot of trouble.
I whispered. “What should we do?”
Clint peered over his shoulder. “Stay there and do as I ask.”
One of the boys grinned. “An obedient girl. I like that in my women.”
I scoffed. “Good thing I’m not your woman, then.”
“I think we could change that. I hear you like bad boy dick.”
“I guess that takes you out of the running, then.”
The boy lunged at me and Clint jumped in the way. He stood toe to toe with him, staring him down as his chest puffed out. The other three guys started laughing, filling the air with the smell of beer. I rested my forehead against Clint’s back, feeling him stiffening, tightening, shaking with fury. His fists balled up at his sides and the staredown began, each party waiting for the other to make a move.
Was it possible to stare them down until they sobered up? Until they got back into their car and left?
Where the hell is the patrol car that always comes through?
“Clint,” I whispered.
One of the boys chuckled. “Think your girl’s calling you.”
Clint nodded. “And don’t you forget who she belongs to.”
“I don’t think she belongs to anyone. She’s a free-spirited girl, right? The one who ran to your defense?”
“And if I remember correctly, you’re the asshole that knocked her down. Hurt her. And mark my words, you’ll pay for that.”
“Oh, she’s got some fluff. She’s good.”
I felt Clint lunge and I gripped his leather jacket. I pulled him back to me as the boys erupted into laughter. He shrugged me off, whipping around and glaring at me. I glared right back, silently screaming at him, telling him there was no way on fuck’s green earth he’d be able to take all four of them in a fight without them dragging me off in the process.
And when he drew in a deep breath, I watched his eyes soften.
“Look at that, boys! He’s whipped already.”
I heard the drunk assholes making whipping noises as they twirled their hands around in the air. Clint’s face flushed with anger and he grew another two inches as fury filled his veins. He whipped back around and I tightened my grip on his leather jacket, trying desperately to keep a hold on this situation. I had my purse with me. It hung off my shoulder. And if I slipped my hand in there, I could press the emergency button on my phone, calling for help before this escalated.
Clint growled. “The four of you need to leave. Now.”
Main Boy shook his head. “Eh, that doesn’t sit well with me. I mean, what if the little lady’s in trouble?”
I snickered. “I’m not. The only people I’d be in trouble with are the four of you.”
“But it would be the best kind of trouble.”
Clint grinned. “She gets plenty of that with me.”
“And from the looks of her curves, there’s plenty to go around. Sharing is caring, Clarke.”
I wrangled Clint back again, feeling him trying to tug away from me. I slipped out from behind him and pressed my hands into his stomach, getting him to back up. I almost had him backed up, too. Until I felt a pair of hands on my hips. A pair of hands that weren’t Clint’s.
And he lost his fucking mind.
“What the fuck are you doing, touching my girl?”
“Clint! No!”
He lunged around me, slapping the boy’s hands away. I whipped around with wide eyes, watching as Clint went straight for the boy’s neck. His three goons wrapped their arms around Clint, dragging him back before tossing him onto the ground. And as I stood there, with a gasp falling from my lips, Main Boy looked straight at me.
“You ready to try a real man?”
Clint shot up from the ground. “You don’t speak with her. At all.”
“That right, sexy? You don’t wanna talk to a man like me?”
I scoffed. “Hardly.”
“Even if I know I can throw it down better than your measly little man here can?”
My eyes narrowed. “Sex isn’t what I’m after.”
The boys laughed at me as they leaned back against their car. Clint got in front of me again, blocking my body from their reach. I turned a little to the side, concealing my hand as it slipped into my purse, silently rummaging around for my phone.
Main Boy grinned. “So, entertain me. What is it you’re after?”
I shrugged. “Not you four, that’s for sure.”
“And what about us do you not like?”
“Other than your overall assholeish nature, your ugly looks, your disgusting demeanors, and your pompous attitudes?”
He shrugged. “Yeah. Sure. Other than those.”
I grinned. “I don’t like small dicks.”
Main Boy lunged off his car and Clint stepped in front of him, toe to toe again, though I knew he was upset with me. I pulled my hand out of my purse quickly, sliding my phone into my back pocket. Then I dropped my purse to the ground, trying to act like I was scared out of my mind to conceal what had just happened.
Just a few more shielded seconds, Clint. Work with me here.
I saw Clint’s shoulders stiffen but his hands slowly unclenched. As he backed away from the guy, making his way back for me, I caught his eyes and saw the nervousness growing in them. His eyes darted around in the darkness, looking for a way out. He hugged me close and kissed the top of my head, then moved his lips to my ear.
“I’ll pay for this statement later, but keep your fucking mouth shut, Rae.”
I had a bad feeling about this. And so did Clint. He was nervous, which made me even more nervous. He turned back around, giving me darkness to stand in. And slowly, I slipped my hand around my back.
Main Boy’s voice boomed. “You know what I think?”
Clint sighed. “What do you think, dickweed?”
“I think we’ve been chatting long enough. I came here for a good time, and I’m not leaving until I get one.”
Then, as my finger found the red emergency button, I watched Main Boy rush for Clint.
38
Clinton
I reached my arms out and fisted the guy’s shirt as he came for me. I backed him all the way up to his car as Rae let out a yelp. I had to get these guys away from her. They were predatory, and they announced it well enough with their eyes. My bike was close. Really close. And the key was already in the ignition. I pinned that asshole to the hood of his car to give myself time to think. A well-placed knee to the groin turned his buddies’ attention away from Rae and to me.
“Get him, guys.”
As they ambushed me, I heard Rae calling out. The crunch of dead grass could be heard, and I hoped she was climbing into that fucking tree, doing her best to get away from these assholes. They ripped me away from the guy I had pinned to the hood of the car, tossing me back to my bike. And as I fell to the concrete, I gazed up at my getaway, hoping with all my might they’d follow me and leave Rae alone.
Piss them off first. They’ll follow you then.
“That all you got?” I asked.
I leapt off the ground, poised for a fight as their main guy hunched over, grabbing his balls like a little bitch.
I grinned. “Because if that’s all you got, there’s no way in hell you’ll please a girl like Rae. She needs something a little… thicker.”
“Clint! Shut up and come on already!”
Her voice sounded far away, and I hoped that meant she was running. Another guy rushed toward me and I clotheslined him, preparing myself to throw another punch. The fight began and I hit them everywhere I could, making sure not to leave my bike. They kept coming at me with punches. With elbows. With snarky remarks about all the things they’d do to Rae once they got their hands on her.
I wasn’t having any of it.
I ran myself into one guy’s stomach, picking him up off the ground. I body-slammed him into the hood of the car, then moved just before another one kicked me. I heard the headlight shatter before the lighting dimmed around us. A yelp told me that glass had raked right across someone’s skin. I chuckled to myself as I whipped around, lifting my legs to donkey kick the asshole headed for me.
And since I couldn't see Rae, I took that as a good sign.
“You guys really are pathetic!” I grunted. “This is easier than last week!”
“You’re gonna die tonight, asshole.”
The growling voice told me it was time. I bolted for my bike, praying to any god that might be listening for help in abating Rae’s anger. Because I knew she’d be angry at me. Spitfire angry. But I had to get these assholes away from her. I had to keep her safe.
And whatever that took, I was willing to do it.