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“So? I’m doing him a service.”

“Just like when you were arrested in high school for punching someone?”

I was about to kick Gabriel’s ass too. But then the man behind me laughed.

“And here he is, once again. I knew you liked to be rescued. You’re the damsel in distress type.”

Gabriel blinked and then frowned. “What did you just say?” he asked.

“I had a good reason,” I hissed. “Let me go so I can finish the job.”

“Finish what? There’s no way you’ll land a hit on me.”

“Because I’m too weak?”

“Because you’re all talk.” He leaned forward. “I have a feeling you’re the bratty type. You want to be held down and told what to do. Come back to my hotel and I’ll show you what you need.”

My teeth ground and I turned to Gabriel, raising one eyebrow.

See? my look told him.

The war he was fighting was obvious in his eyes, and then he let me go.

“You know what? Do your worst.”

“Like she can—” The idiot was too busy gloating.

I didn’t waste any time. My fist landed right against his stupid smile. He jerked back and wiped his mouth. He turned to me with wide eyes.

“What the⁠—”

“You said I couldn’t land a hit.”

“That was flirting!”

“Don’t flirt with me when my pubes are thicker than your hairline! Fuck you!”

“Fucking small towns!” he snapped, wiping at his mouth again. “You’re crazy! All of you!”

I felt a wall at my back. I knew it was Gabriel. He would let me fight this—I knew he would. But he was here as support too.

Solid, real support.

I wanted to shiver for a different reason now.

The man shook his head. “You’ll regret this.”

That was all he said before he ran to his car.

After he drove off, I laughed. “What’s he gonna do, hit on me again?”

“I think he learned his lesson this time.”

“Don’t ever try to stop me again.” I pointed at Gabriel.

“I just didn’t want you to get in trouble.”

“Were you worried about me?”