Page 92 of My Never
“I don’t see why you’re raising your hackles over a bit of pussy. It’s not even that great of a pussy,” Eric baits, contradicting everything he’s been telling me about wanting me back. He’s showing his true colors for sure. This is petty bullshit. Mark takes another step toward him, his eyes glinting with fire in the glow of the fireworks bursting above.
“If it wasn’t that great for you, then why. The. Fuck. Are you coming after it?” Mark’s voice takes on a menacing tone that I was not expecting.
“Mark, don’t,” Colin warns, stepping forward at the same time as I reach for Mark’s hand. He grasps onto it reassuringly, but he isn’t backing down. He stands taller.
“What did I tell you about bothering her when we had our last discussion in the grocery store? It was your choice to trash your relationship. You will never have her again. I will never let her go. That’s my future wife, and you will damn well respect her and leave her the fuck alone.”
My lungs cease to pull in any air. After a few seconds, I feel Colin squeeze my shoulder. It shocks my system, and I drag in breath greedily.
“Breathe, Ava. Don’t be so surprised,” Colin mutters under his breath.
“And if I don’t?” Eric asks with a haughty laugh.
“Stupid man…” Colin mumbles.
Mark steps forward again, letting go of my hand, and I suddenly remember the knife. I don’t want to cause him to look away from Eric though. He’s a loose enough cannon that I wouldn’t put it past him to jump the minute Mark looks away. Colin steps forward too.
“Back up, Ava,” Colin warns lowly.
“The knife, Colin,” I whisper frantically.
“Noted.”
Just as I take the step back, Eric steps forward into Mark’s personal space, and I hold my breath.
“Eric, I would think very carefully about your next move. You don’t want to see Mark unhinged, and that measly knife in your pocket won’t help you,” Colin says with a dangerous undercurrent, setting down his beer. He plans to step into this if it gets ugly, which is looking to be the case with every second that ticks by.
“Colin…” Sydney gasps, realizing shit’s getting real and she already almost lost him once. The mere idea of him jumping willingly into a knife fight has her on edge. Rightfully so. We all are.
Eric stupidly pulls out his knife and spins it between his fingers like he’s proud of his skills. He makes me sick. How the hell had I ever considered marrying this man? His buddy a few feet back, backs up. Another coward. Our guys are willing to step up to any looming threat. Eric steps forward and jabs the knife toward Mark’s stomach, and everyone gasps, their eyes not believing that this idiot just really stabbed at my man. Mark intercepts his wrist with his left hand and punches Eric straight in the face with his right hand.
“Wrong decision,” Mark grits out between his teeth as the sickening sound of bone crunching hits our ears. Blood splatters from Eric’s nose, running down his face. It only makes him look crazier.
Eric twists his captured wrist in a way that allows him to slice the knife across Mark’s arm, and he hisses in pain. I yelp behind my hands. Colin circles around the other side of Eric to divide his attention just as Eric takes advantage of the moment and swipes the knife along Mark’s abdomen before Mark can fully step out of the way.
Trystan’s deadly voice comes out of nowhere next to me, and I jump. I hadn’t even heard him come up behind me.
“If the fact that those two aren’t backing down doesn’t dissuade your decision to keep up with this nonsense, then you might want to take a harder look at me. They’ll take you down in about ten seconds together, but I will take you down in three. Drop the knife.”
“He’s right,” Mark huffs out. It’s taking everything in me not to run to him right now. I fight the urge to step forward, and Trystan senses it, holding his arm out to stop me.
“I’m sure we could do it in less than ten,” Colin states coolly. Garrett chuckles not far behind him. I love these men and how they show up for those they care about.
The firework show is lighting up the night sky in gorgeous hues. Loud bangs and flashes erupt here and there. I sense Trystan tense even more next to me and suddenly consider how this might be affecting him after his time overseas. He’s been immersed in battle. This couldn’t be worse timing for something like this to happen. Eric really needs to drop that fucking knife.
As if sensing my thoughts, Trystan mumbles toward me, “Don’t worry. I’m in control. I’ll only step in if I have to.” I exhale heavily, releasing another breath that I hadn’t realized I’d been holding.
Trystan takes another step forward, and Eric’s eyes widen, seeing how royally fucked he will be if he continues. All four of these men are rather impressively built with skill sets his knife can never compare to.
“FUCK!” Eric yells, turning to launch his knife out into the water.
Colin lets out an exasperated rumble from his throat because the knife was still open and that is his stretch of beach, but we know he’ll do his best to find it so nobody gets hurt.
“Now… get the fuck out of here,” Mark growls.
“Ted, let’s ditch this shitshow!” Eric yells as the two other guys meander toward the house.
“And Ted?!” Mark hollers to get his attention. Ted turns back, looking like he wants no part of any of this. “You’re no longer welcome around any of my family.” He holds his arms wide to signify we’re all included. “Especially my sister.”
