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I looked up at him, noticing his tall, lean physique. He wore glasses and was dressed in a lavish suit and looked like one of those guys Callum usually liked bullying at parties.
“Lucia,” I said, taking his hand.
His hold on my hand was light and gentle. He smiled and tried to take a shot. His ball ricocheted off the side, failing to hit the target.
“Bummer,” he muttered, straightening up. “You don’t mind playing with a loser like me, do you?” He grinned nervously.
I shook my head and chuckled. The company of a stranger was like a breath of fresh air. I didn’t have to step around shattered glass trying to communicate with him.
“Are you in college?” he asked as I took another shot.
“Not really,” I said, feeling a hint of embarrassment. “What about you?”
“I graduated from Dartmouth two years ago,” said Casey. “I’m interning at a law firm now.”
I gave a nod, knowing deep inside that Callum ruined all my chances of ever pursuing a career.
Casey touched my shoulder, making me look up. “Why do you look so down?” he asked, frowning slightly. “You don’t like lawyers?”
I shook my head. “It’s not that.”
“Then, what?” He stared at me intently, waiting for my answer.
“It’s just...I think I missed something amazing by not going to college. Life never gave me a chance and I just regret it. That’s all.”
“You know there’s no age limit for anything, right? You can always go to college if you want to.”
His words lifted my spirits and I found myself smiling at him.
“Want a drink?” he asked. “I was going to get a beer for myself.” He gestured at his empty bottle.
“Sure. I’ll have a beer too.”
I got the whole pool table to myself while Casey was gone. Taking the cue stick, I practiced several shots, thoroughly enjoying myself.
“Here, you go,” Casey’s voice sounded near me.
“Thanks,” I said, straightening up and accepting the beer from him. Putting the cue stick down, I was about to take a sip when hard fingers curled around my wrist, stopping me.
I stared up into Leon’s amber eyes.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he asked in a grim tone.
“Can’t I drink?” I asked confusedly.
He pried the bottle from my fingers and set it down. “You should know better than to accept drinks from a stranger.”
“Beat it,” Mikhail growled, staring Casey down.
Casey glared at him but after eyeing Leon, he decided it was best for him to scram than fight the two lethal men at my side. A deep-seated anger flared inside me. I pushed past Leon to get away from him but he grabbed my arm, pulling me against him.
“Let go of me!” I shouted.
“You’re getting mad at me for trying to protect you?”
I sneered. “You know who else claims to protect me? Callum! He drove away all my friends in the name of protecting me. I don’t need anyone’s fucking protection!”
“Hey, don’t get mad at him,” said Mikhail in a warmer tone. Moving closer, he wrapped an arm around my shoulder. “Want me to punch him in the guts for you, darling?”
