Bad Bad Girl

“Get her the fuck out of here! Travis, get your bitch out of here this instant!” Caine shouted.

“What the hell is she doing here? I didn’t invite that fucking lunatic!” Coley screamed.

The man that was holding her back was trying to calm her down with little avail.

Sara wiggled her way out of her captor’s arms and tried to pounce on me again. “You fucking whore! You wanted him all along! You are nothing but a dirty, fucking…”

Caine put his hand out to block her attack and in the most forbidding voice I had ever heard, shouted, “Don’t ever come near her again!” Sara froze in fear. I don’t think Caine would have hit her, but his voice and his posture were scary enough.

A man was making his way through the crowd and grabbed Sara by the arm. Caine obviously recognized him and shot daggers in his direction.

“Travis, get her out of here this instant! Get some control over your woman or I will!”

“I’m sorry, Caine. I’ll make sure this doesn’t ever happen again,” Travis replied. He looked at Sara with anger in his eyes and said, “Sara, we’re leaving.”

Sara violently pulled her arm away. “I will not!” She turned toward me and shouted, “Stop hiding behind Caine you little cowardly whore!”

Before I even had a chance to respond, Travis grabbed Sara by the arm and slapped her ass hard. Wide-eyed, she turned toward him. I couldn’t tell if her shock was the pain, or the fact he gave her a single spank in public. Travis smacked her ass one more time and glared a warning so severe it was clear what would happen if Sara continued her tirade. Sara took a few moments to assess Travis’s face and then lowered her eyes. She took the very public display of discipline as a warning that more was to come if she continued.

Travis pulled Sara through the crowd without saying another word and stormed out the front door. Obviously, her new boyfriend was livid with Sara and didn’t want to continue the scene any further.

Caine turned toward me and scanned my face and body with his eyes. “Jesus, Neely, are you all right? Are you hurt?”

Coley, Kendall and Rebecca all came rushing over asking the same questions. I was overwhelmed, and I was embarrassed by all the attention.

“I’m fine. Just a little shocked, I guess. Please, just get back to the party,” I pleaded.

Caine picked up on my discomfort. “Come on. Let’s go get a breath of fresh air. Excuse us.” He led me to the patio.

When we were outside, he pulled me into a tight embrace. “I’m so sorry, Neely. I’m so sorry. I should have been there. I shouldn’t have left you alone,” Caine apologized.

“It’s not your fault,” I murmured against his chest. Feeling his warm body against mine made me want to snuggle closer. Even after being attacked, I felt safe and calm in his embrace. I did enjoy the extra attention I was getting from him.

“Do you want to go home?” he asked, concerned. He lightly brushed his fingertips along my jaw. How a man so strong could be so gentle boggled my mind.

“No, not at all. I don’t want what she did to ruin this party. Can we please just go inside and act like this whole scene didn’t happen?”

Caine furrowed his brows and scanned my face with his worried eyes. “Are you sure you’re all right? Do you hurt anywhere?”

I smiled to reassure him. “I’m fine. Embarrassed and pissed at Sara, but I’m fine.” I noticed Caine was still shaking. “What about you? Are you all right?”

Caine ran his fingers through his hair and took a deep breath. “Not really. It was the worst feeling to see what was happening and not be able to get there quick enough. Jesus, Neely, she slammed your head into the wall!”

I stood on tiptoe and kissed him softly on his lips. “It’s over now. I have a tough head, I guess.” I laughed but stopped when I realized Caine didn’t find my comment funny. “I’m all right, I promise,” I assured.

I looked through the window to see my concerned friends starring out at us. “It looks like we have an audience. We better go inside and put everyone’s minds at ease,” I stated.

“Fine, but I don’t want you to leave my side. Are we clear?” Caine ordered.

I nodded and smiled. “That’s the best idea I’ve heard all night.”

16

“I swear I didn’t invite that nut! I am so sorry,” Coley apologized.

Caine poured us both a drink as he looked at his anxious sister. “It’s not your fault. She’s dating Travis now, and Travis is a pretty good friend to everyone.”

“Travis really is a good guy,” Matt defended.

“I can’t believe she attacked you,” Coley exclaimed as she approached and gave me a hug.