Chapter 25
A group of men closed in on Tessa. Unable to see, she couldn’t tell what was happening; only the chaos around her registered. Fear twisted through her, and she folded in on herself.
Just as they went to lift her, a figure cut between them and caught the nearest man’s wrist.
The man yelped in pain, then snarled, “Who the hell are you? Get off me!”
Zachary sneered and slammed his foot into the man’s chest, knocking him off his feet. The man crashed into a table, causing the bottles and glasses to explode on impact.
The patrons in the booth recoiled, scrambling away as if afraid that the fight might reach them.
Security at the bar hurried over as soon as they caught wind of it. But as soon as they recognized Derek and the group of wealthy young men, they held back, reluctant to intervene.
Derek fixed Zachary with a glare. “Who the hell are you? This isn’t your problem. Walk away now, or you’ll regret it!”
Zachary met his gaze with icy disdain but said nothing. Instead, he turned and crouched beside Tessa, reaching out to pull her to
him
Tessa let out a sharp cry and flinched away. She was soaked and reeking of alcohol, her clothes in disarray and panic written all over her face.
Pain darkened Zachary’s eyes as he looked at her. “Tess, it’s me. Don’t be afraid. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
“Zachary?” Tessa hesitated, lifting her head. Her gaze was clear but distant, as if she couldn’t quite see him.
Zachary went still. “Tess, what’s wrong with your eyes?”
Tears welled in Tessa’s eyes, turning them red. She hugged herself tightly and said nothing.
Zachary shrugged off his coat and wrapped it around her without saying another word. He gently guided her to a chair, his hand wrapping around her shoulders.
“Stay here. I’ll handle things, then we’ll leave,” he murmured.
Something in his voice steadied her. She nodded and drew the coat tighter around herself.
Derek frowned at the sight.
“Who are you? What’s your thing with Tessa? She’s a married woman. Are you seriously messing around with Mr. Ziegler’s wife?” Derek’s voice was sharp and accusatory.
Zachary met Derek’s gaze, his eyes cold. “Are you the one who threw a drink on her?”
The challenge in his tone made Derek smirk. He raised his chin, defiant.
+15 Bonus
“Yeah, I am. What’s it to you? Are you going to play the hero? Who the hell do you think you are? Do you even know who I am?” he
snapped,
“What are you, 12? Listing your résumé before throwing a punch?” Zachary quipped, scorn dripping from his words.
Derek’s face darkened. “What did you just say to me?”
Zachary shot him an icy glare, then suddenly drove his foot into him. His movement was too fast for Derek or the others to react. Before they could process what had happened, the kick had already sent Derek flying.
“Mr. Gallagher!” the group shouted in alarm. They rushed forward to help Derek, who was now disheveled.
Derek staggered as he steadied himself, his face contorted with rage. “You son of a bitch!”
He ripped free from the others and lunged at Zachary. But for all his usual bravado, Derek was no fighter. Zachary sidestepped the attack with ease and even threw a punch in return.
Derek had never felt so humiliated in his life. He was seething, ready to explode. “Get him! Who the hell does he think he is?”
The rest of them charged in. The sound of fists landing, objects breaking, and angry yells flooded the air.
Terrified, Tessa hugged herself and shrank behind the bar, too frightened to make a sound.
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