his feet to march over and claim possession. He only shook his head and ignored how I still had a hand trapping my arm, a large body holding me in place.
I twisted back to find green eyes locked on my face again, Jacob’s mouth held in a brilliant smile that I was sure had seduced dozens of women.
“See? I told you he wouldn’t save you.”
His fingers loosened, but just as I moved to pull away, he swept out with an arm, wrapped it over my shoulder and tugged me closer against him.
Bile shot up my throat to feel his body heat mix with mine, my entire body shaking because I wasn’t sure just what form of entertainment I would be tonight.
“Calm down before you snap in two,” he teased. “Lucky for you, I’m just fucking with you. Kind of.”
He canted his head, a playful twinkle replacing the darkness I’d recognized behind his eyes earlier.
“You’re not our entertainment. But you are his. And he’s been drinking, which is my fault. It’s always my fault. I should apologize for that now.”
His eyes danced between Callan and me, his voice lowering into a conspiratorial whisper.
“So, if I were you, I’d be sure to behave. It’s best not to disturb the beast, if you know what I mean. Callan isn’t always thinking straight when alcohol is involved. Plus, he’s preparing for a fight. Always a dangerous time. It’s when his temper is most on edge.”
His body was a concrete wall against mine, hard and overbearing. I couldn’t have broken away if I’d fought as hard as I possibly could. Instead, I withered in defeat next to him, allowed his words to sink beneath my skin and wrap my bones.
“Why are you telling me this?”
Another quick glance in Callan’s direction before he said, “He’s my best friend. My brother in every way that matters. And if you do anything that distracts him in the next two days, I’ll personally hunt you down to make you regret it. Not that I have anything against you. Not like him. But I do love him, and I’ll do whatever it takes to protect the people I love. Do you understand?”
“No.”
“Good,” he grinned, his hand tapping my hip once. “I’m glad we cleared that up.”
I was beginning to think Jacob had been hit one too many times in the head. He wasn’t making sense.
Two men walked past us to leave, their shoulders brushing mine since I was held in place so close to the door. Both glared down at me as they passed, violence written into their eyes like it was an essential part of them. I shrank against Jacob, but then remembered that he was as dangerous as the rest.
It only made him chuckle.
“Are we friends now? Do I make you feel safe?”
“No.”
The corner of his lip tugged up, his boyish demeanor at war with the threat that rolled off him.
“Good. You shouldn’t trust me. Not when it comes to him.”
He nudged his chin at the door.
“The men who just left were Benny and Connor. Benny is too old to fight now, but that doesn’t mean he’s not lethal. He’s killed twenty men that I know of. And Connor is new, hasn’t fought yet, but he will soon.”
My gaze shot to his.
Brows tugging together, he smirked.
“You didn’t know we killed? Callan’s killed the most, but only because you made him the way he is.”
Denial shot through me, infecting my blood.
“I didn’t make him anything.”
With a smile as sharp as a knife blade, he rolled his eyes.
“Don’t lie. I know all Callan’s secrets.”
His free hand shot out to trap my chin. Turning my face so that I would look at Callan, Jacob whispered, “He’s trying to ignore you, but it’s eating him up inside. And you need to be a good little servant by making it up to him. You see that bruise on his cheek? I gave that to him.”
I jerked my face away and stared up at him.
“Your point?”
Anger bled into the humor behind his eyes.
“That never happens. I’m good, but he’s better. Except he’s distracted because of you. I can’t let that continue. So, I’m sorry if this is a dick move, but he’s far more valuable than you.”
He moved his arm to release me, his hand catching my shoulder to shove me to the floor. I landed hard on my palms and knees, the unforgiving marble shooting pain up my legs and arms. A quiet grunt fell from my lips, the sudden movement catching the