Nick’s grip on my arms stayed firm, steadying me as I stood there, my chest rising and falling quickly, my mind scrambling to catch up with everything that just happened. The way Elias had looked at me, had sent chills straight through me. But now, with Nick standing between us, his presence felt like a solid wall, I finally let myself breathe.
Elias scoffed, shaking his head. “Oh, great. And now your guard dog shows up.” He crossed his arms, his smirk returning, though it didn’t mask the frustration simmering just beneath. “Do you expect this guy to fight me?”
Nick didn’t rise to the bait. His head tilted slightly as he kept his gaze on Elias. “I asked you a question.” His fingers twitched slightly like he was fighting the urge not to do something dangerous, something he knew he shouldn
