Addicted (Addicted Trilogy Book 1) by S. Nelson Page B

bothering me.”
    “Yeah, look where that got you,” he scoffed. “You
have to be more careful when you go out, Sara. There are a lot of people out here
who will take advantage of you, even hurt you.”
    He doesn’t
know how well I already know that last part.
    “I know. I misjudged the situation I guess. It
won’t happen again.”
    “You’re damn right it won’t. I won’t let it.” His
breathing had slowed from before, but the look of anger was still very palpable
in his stare.
    “How are you going to prevent it? It was simple luck you happened to be here tonight. Right?”
I watched his face, trying to gauge his reaction. “Please tell me it was just a
coincidence, Alek.”
    There was some hesitation on his part before he
finally answered. “Yes, of course it was a coincidence I was here. But good thing
I showed up when I did or who knows what he would have done to you.”
    His words made me shudder, even though I had the
very same thought not moments before.
    Alexa poked her head outside the door again, saving
me from saying something I might’ve regretted. “Hey, I called the cops. They
should be here any minute, Sara.” Then she went right back inside without
giving me any time to respond.
    I started shaking my head, not wanting to deal with
it anymore.
    “You better not even think of not dealing with the
cops. You’re going to press charges on that asshole.” He looked so resolute, I
knew there was no use arguing with him.
    “Fine, I’ll wait for the police and give them my
statement.”
    “And press charges!”
    Huffing out a frustrated breath, I responded. “Yes,
Alek. And press charges.” God, this guy
never gives up.

~7~
    Alek

 
    My heart rammed against my ribs. I was fearful it
would never slow back down—not as long as she was in my life, at least. That
woman was going to be the death of me. I just knew it. But I wouldn’t have it
any other way.
    Since the very first time I’d laid eyes on her, I
knew she was destined to be mine and I would do everything in my power to
protect her, even from herself. I’d never experienced any of those feelings
before, and I’d had my share of women. There was something about Sara which
called to me, beckoning me from afar…and up close. I knew I came off as intense
and overbearing, but I wasn’t about to apologize for trying to keep her safe.
    After she was done speaking with the cops, they
went into the bar to escort the guy out so he could tell his side of the story.
They found him back in action, drinking, and hitting on some poor unsuspecting
woman.
    Asshole .
    His version of the story was he was going to the
men’s room and Sara had approached and started kissing him. Then when I showed
up and saw them, I lost it.
    Sara had to hold me back from pouncing on the
bastard right in front of the officers. Both of her hands were on my arm,
trying her best to pull me back toward the edge of the curb. I could have
easily broken free and tackled the fucker, but I refrained, even though I struggled
with my decision. Well, until she rose up on her tippy toes and whispered in my
ear, “Don’t do it, Alek. I need you here with me.”
    Her words calmed my struggle, both inside and out.
    The police escorted the creep down to the station
for more questioning and to let him sober up. They informed us they would get
in touch with her if they needed any more information. I had to remind her to
tell them she wished to press charges, something I was sure she didn’t want to
do, but I all but forced her hand.
    “Come on. I’ll give you a ride home.” I laced my fingers with hers and
started toward my car, which was parked two spaces down from
where we were standing. The ride I’d chosen to bring that night was my black
Aston Martin. It was a luxurious vehicle, and once I’d noticed the way Sara looked
at it, I knew I’d made the right choice. Even though she tried to seem
unaffected by me,
I loved the fact I could impress her, even if it was with a hunk