Torn - Cynthia Eden Page 0,5

. . .

Clenching his back teeth, Wade whirled away. Victoria was a grown woman. More than capable of looking after herself. He strode toward the exit.

But something is wrong. I’ve seen pain in her eyes lately. Pain that she tries to hide from everyone else.

He stilled. His gaze cut to the left. Yeah, that was a woman nearly having sex up against the wall. This club was all about the fast hookups. Strangers in the dark. He knew because . . .

I’ve been here before.

Wade looked back over his shoulder, but Victoria was gone. So was the blond guy. Real alarm shot through Wade as his gaze flew over the packed dance floor.

He didn’t see Victoria, not anywhere.

Wade started searching the shadows. It had just been a moment. Where the hell was she? He rushed up to the bar and slammed his hands down on the bar top.

A bored-­looking bartender glanced his way. The guy was sporting what looked like a freshly styled Mohawk.

“The sexy redhead in the short skirt,” Wade bit out. “Where did she go?”

The bartender jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “Headed out the back door.”

Wade shoved away from the bar and hurried toward the door.

“I don’t think they want to be bothered!” the bartender yelled after him.

Screw that. Victoria couldn’t just run off into the night with some stranger. Considering the business they were in, she knew just how dangerous that behavior could be.

He shoved open the back door and it bounced against the brick wall. More shadows waited for him. Shadows and stench—­it reeked out there, smelling of old booze and cigarettes. It was not Victoria’s scene. She was fine wine. She was flowers. She was seduction.

And he still wasn’t seeing her. Wade rushed forward. He turned to the right, saw the narrow alley and the couple locked in a hard embrace.

The man had the woman up against the wall. Her hands were on his shoulders and—­

“Victoria.” Her name tore from Wade before he could get enough control back to stop himself.

The man whirled to face him. Same big blond guy. And, apparently, he was a guy who liked to fight—­because he whirled and lunged at Wade with his fists clenched.

“Stop!” Victoria cried. He’d know her voice anywhere.

She’d been making out with that jerk.

Wade glared at the guy. It was too dark for him to see the man’s expression clearly. They were close to the same height and build, but Wade didn’t doubt he’d be able to take the creep down.

“You need to get the hell out of here,” the man told him. His voice was a low growl.

“Actually,” Wade fired right back, “I will be leaving. With Victoria.”

The fellow cursed. “The hell you—­”

“Easy, Flynn. I know. He’s my . . . partner at work.” Victoria pushed between them. Her hand slid across Wade’s chest, and heat singed him. “Why are you here?” she asked him.

I followed you. I’ve got some issues. More than some. “Maybe I’m here for the same reason you are,” he said instead. “A fast fuck in the dark.”

She flinched. Then said, very clearly and flatly, “We were kissing, not fucking . . . in case you couldn’t tell the difference.”

Oh, hell. He hadn’t meant to hurt her. Jealousy makes me such an ass. Hurting Victoria was the last thing he ever wanted to do. His voice softened as he said, “It’s time for us to go home, Victoria.” And yeah, he emphasized the us because he wasn’t leaving without her.

“Vik . . .” The other man rolled back his shoulders. Vik . . . Wade realized that the blond man wasn’t a stranger to Victoria. There was too much intimacy in his voice. “Who is this joker? And do you want me to kick his ass?”

I’d like to see you try. What had she called the guy? Flynn? Freaking Flynn. He hated the man.

“I told you, he’s my partner at work. And . . . Wade’s a friend, too,” Victoria said. “Sorry, Flynn, but I have to go.” Her right hand was on Wade’s chest but her left was on Flynn’s, and Wade really wanted her to stop touching the guy. “Go back inside. I’m all right with him, really.”

The blond guy’s hand rose. Slid over her cheek. “You know where I am. When you need me, find me. I’ll always come when you call.”

She doesn’t need you.

And then he just . . . walked away. Just left Victoria in the alley.

Victoria didn’t speak for a few moments. She did