AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I don’t care that you’re women, if I have to move you, I will.” His deadly tone warned he meant every word, but I knew he didn’t want to have to engage them physically.
The impending physical altercation was staved off by two new arrivals.
“What’s going on?” River’s tone was like knives, and I could have sworn the temperature rose by several degrees.
“Are you guys okay?” Sam stood beside her, eyes raking over my body as he assessed me. A brow quirked at what had to be my thoroughly disheveled—or freshly fucked, same thing—appearance.
“Fine, we were just leaving.” I lifted my chin at Illyria in challenge, but she was smart enough to know she’d lost whatever advantage she thought she had.
She nudged Xanaya with an elbow and they both reluctantly moved aside so Darrio and I could pass. For a second I thought she might try some shit as we went by, but she just glared daggers at me as I walked over to join River, Darrio’s hand still clutched tightly in mine.
“What happened in there?” My friend’s gaze was hard as she stared over my shoulder at the two women who’d gone out of their way to make enemies of us—mostly me—since our arrival at Divinity.
“Just up to their usual bullshit. I’ll tell you about it later.”
“Come on, let’s go outside and get a break from all this noise and you can tell me now.” I didn’t want River confronting Illyria and Xanaya, and that was exactly what she’d do if I told her everything. Still, I could use some distance from the situation, as well as the towering blond man beside her. His concern was plain, and I could feel my heart softening in spite of my anger.
“Alright,” I agreed, dropping Darrio’s hand, “let’s go.”
“Wait, Puff.” Sam stepped in front of me, cutting off my escape.
“For what?” Sam may have arrived in the nick of time tonight and prevented a disaster, but that didn’t absolve him of his betrayal.
“I just… you’re alright?”
“Fine.” Anguish flashed over his face, but I fought the instinct to comfort him.
He doesn’t deserve it.
I just had to keep reminding myself of that, since my resolve seemed to falter every time he got too close.
“Let’s go, Riv.” I needed to get my emotions under control, which meant I needed to leave the party, at least for a little while. It wouldn’t take much to set me off if Illyria came out and started some shit again.
The rush of adrenaline when I thought things might come to a head seemed to have burned off the lingering effects of the alcohol, leaving me with a headache and a heart full of regret. I followed River down the stairs, my still tipsy mind swirling with thoughts of my fractured relationships.
I felt two pairs of eyes boring into me until the door to the loft shut behind us.
