Page 45 of Total Abandon

When we step out of the back of the Town Car thirty minutes later, the sidewalk outside Abyss Nightclub on 7thAvenue is packed with people. I clock two private security agents dressed in black standing next to the petite frame of Mia Walker, who is scowling in the direction of two NYPD police officers outside the club.

“He was groping my friend!” I hear a raspy voice I recognize all too well and my head snaps sideways, zeroing in. Standing between two officers with her hands on her hips, is Chloe. Her face is set to a disbelieving scowl, her full lips downturned. Chase is nextto her, his hands gesturing in front of his chest as he speaks to the officers. I stride through the crowd of spectators, anger fizzling bright in my chest, right up to them.

“What’s going on?” I bite out, glaring between them all.

Chloe’s eyes capture mine, going a little round at the edges as she gapes. “What are you doing here?”

“Sir, please step back.” One of the officers, a short, squat guy with a moustache, tries to fence me away.

Standing my ground, I rise to my full height, towering over him. “That is my fiancée, so I suggest you tell me what is happening.”

I see recognition flare in his eyes before he takes a half step back. “Sir, your fiancée is being detained on suspicion of assaulting a man with a chair.”

What the fuck?

“It barely touched him!” Chloe scoffs, rolling her eyes.

I shoot her a warning glare so heated that even she cows a little, stubborn as she is. This woman will be the death of me. “Detained?” I ask, twisting my neck to see Mason stooped over his wife, deep in conversation. Thank fuck I’m not seeing any paparazzi. The last thing we need is this splashed over the front of tomorrow's papers.

“Questioned,” the other officer interjects.

“Detained or questioned, which is it?” I snap, pulling my phone out of my pocket. I bring up my contacts, searching for who I want, and hit dial, holding it to my ear.

“Well, at this time we’re just trying to ascertain—”

“Glen, it’s Zeke Guerra. Remember that favor I did you last year?” I cut the officer off as the line connects. A scowl pinches at the stout man’s face at being dismissed and he opens his mouth to chew me out, which is laughable considering I can see clear over his balding head. “Well, I’m about to call in my chit,” I reply down the line once I hear Glen’s assent. Holding my phone out to the guy, I quirk my brow. “The state attorney would like a word with you, officer.”

Moustache splutters, his wide eyes bouncing from me to the phone and back again. He takes it slowly like it might detonate and holds it to his ear.

“I don’t need you to—” Chloe starts indignantly, but I cut her off.

“For the love of god, woman, just shut the fuck up for once in your life,” I growl, ignoring Chase’s snicker. My fingers itch to pull her to me and kiss that outraged look off her face. We lock eyes, hers glassy and mine stern, battling silently over the murmured conversation happening to my left. She snaps her jaw shut and looks away haughtily, crossing her arms in front of her chest and turning her nose up. My lips twitch with amusement, but then I clock what she’s wearing and almost sink to my fucking knees.

A fire red silk dress that hugs every inch of her body stops just below the knee. The plunging neckline shows off more than a generous amount of creamy, freckled cleavage. My eyes drop to her feet, strapped into six-inch red stilettos that I want wrapped around my head all night. The grinding of my teeth is audible as my dick leaps to attention. Fuck. She’s a fucking siren and I’m suddenly aware of how many men surround us. How many men must have had their eyes on her tonight. How fucking close Chase is standing.

“Move,” I bark out at Chase, not even giving him a second to react before I insert myself between them. Sliding my arm around her waist and tugging her to my side, I suppress a growl when I realize the dress is backless. Tequila-laced peaches invade my nostrils.

“Yes, sir. Understood, sir.” Moustache frowns as he ends the call, handing my phone back.

It’s clear from the look on his face no one is going to be arrested here this evening. “I trust everything is in order?”

“I…apologize, Mr. Guerra. You’re free to go.” He nods, his cheeks ruddy.

I begin to guide Chloe away without another word, but she pulls herself loose from my grip stubbornly. Overestimating her balance, she wobbles on her heels and all but pinwheels her arms to stay upright. “Whoops.” She giggles to herself as I grip her arm to steady her.

“Just how much have you had to drink?” My jaw sets in a hard line as I start to guide her through the crowd again, clearing a path through the bystanders with the weight of my glower alone.

“None of your business,Dad,” Chloe snorts, trying and failing to snatch her arm away.

“What is it with you two and the daddy issues?” Chase drawls from behind as we reach the others, and I’ve never wanted to smack the guy more. He’s my friend and I’d do anything for him. But fuck me, it would be satisfying. A hand swipes across my shoulder, and I hear a muffled curse.

“What was that for?” Chase whines, staring at his brother and rubbing the back of his head. Blinking between the two, I realize he just got a good old-fashioned clip around the ear from the older Walker.

“For not being there when someone was trying to grope my wife,” Mason growls, his nostrils flaring as he stares down Chase.

“What, a guy can’t piss?” Chase grumbles, rolling his eyes.

“Okay, enough.” Mia sighs with a smile, placing a warning hand on her husband's chest.