I try to focus on Bree so I don’t look at the balcony where Landon is all over Ashtyn. This inner battle to leave her alone is being lost, because I’d like nothing better than to switch places with the guy.
The night was going just fine until Ashtyn showed up with her boyfriend.
Bree rubs against me again as if I’m her personal stripper pole. She’s a good dancer. When Bree asked me to come out with her and Monika and Trey, I thought it would be a relief to have one night without Ashtyn acting like I’m ruining her life.
Hell, in reality it’s the other way around. I glance up at the balcony, unable to stop myself. I expect to see Ashtyn snuggled up all cozy with Landon on that red couch.
But Ashtyn doesn’t look happy to be sitting next to her boyfriend. Landon’s got his fingers tightly wrapped around Ashtyn’s arm. It looks like she’s trying to pull away, but he’s got a solid hold and won’t release her. She looks alarmed and upset and . . . she winces in pain.
Fuck!
With rage firing an adrenaline rush, I shove through the crowd and rush to the stairs. There’s no way I’m about to let him hurt her on my watch. I don’t give a shit if she wants me to stay out of her business.
I eye the big bouncer blocking the roped-off VIP section leading to the second story. “Two chicks are fightin’ over there.” I point to the center of the room. “You better get there quick, ’cause I think one of ’em is gettin’ her dress ripped off her.”
The bouncer abandons his post. I jump the VIP rope. As I take the stairs two at a time, I see Ashtyn rake her nails clear down her boyfriend’s cheek.
Landon drops her arm as he touches his face and realizes she’s cut him. She stands proud and tall, eyeing him in disgust. His gaze darts left and right, taking notice of everyone staring. He’s pissed now and has his hand raised as if he’s about to hit her.
I rush toward Ashtyn and plant myself between her and Landon before he has a chance to touch her. “Lay a hand on her and I’ll kick the everlovin’ shit out of you,” I say with a vengeance, my hands in fists at my sides ready to fight.
“You want a piece of me?” Landon challenges, shoving me. He looks me up and down as if I’m insignificant.
I shove back. “Man, I’ve wanted a piece of you since I first met you,” I say. This is the point of no return. McKnight isn’t about to back down, and there’s no way in hell I’m letting him get away with hurting Ashtyn.
“Get your hands off me!” Ashtyn screams from behind me. Her frantic voice jerks my attention to her.
Panic jolts through me as I see her being held by one of Bonk’s friends. She’s trying to claw and kick her way out of his grip, but the dude is twice her size.
When my head is turned, McKnight lands a solid right hook to my jaw. Shit, that hurt. I lost focus and made myself vulnerable. If there’s one thing I learned fighting in Regents’ boxing club, it’s never take your eyes off your opponent.
Time to get back in the game.
I punch Landon and make sure he’s on the floor before I glance back at Ashtyn. Bonk is barreling toward me with fury written all over his face and five guys backing him. I lunge for the guy holding Ashtyn, but Bonk and his posse cut me off.
“That’s the guy who took the picture,” Bonk announces to his friends. He aims a punch at me, but I’m too fast and dodge his fist.
I land a solid one to his side, but his friends pull me away. They restrain me while I struggle and Bonk pummels me. I fight to get loose, but there’s like six guys holding me. I can’t get free. Bonk is having a field day. I taste my own blood from my busted lip, and even though I get a good kick in and Bonk flies backward, it doesn’t matter because another one of his friends is right there to pick up where he left off.
I know how to dodge punches, but not with four guys holding me back. I’m breathing hard and starting to get dizzy. Then Trey and a bunch of guys on the Fremont football team join the fight. They rip the guys off me and start pummeling their rivals. The entire balcony is in chaos, with fists flying and security trying to break it up.
I scan the crowd desperately for Ashtyn. She’s managed to break free of the guy who’d been holding her, so I get between her and the fighting and lead her to an alcove. “Stay here,” I tell her, then turn to help Trey and the guys.
I should know better than to trust that Ashtyn will listen to me, because I see her clutch at Bonk’s arm as he’s about to fight Victor. I grab Bonk and pull him back, hoping that Ashtyn will be scared enough to go back to the alcove.
“Are you ever gonna listen to me?” I ask her.
She shakes her head and says simply, “No.”