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The newcomer shot him a look but then turned back to me with a smile. I tried not to show my relief at his presence.
“Actually, you can browse,” I told him, my voice calm as I turned back to Marcus. “I think it’s time for you to go.”
Marcus’s jaw clenched, his face twisting with frustration as the man began browsing the racks.
The slight distraction allowed me a chance to breathe, but only for a second before the bell rang again.
Cole stepped inside, looking calm at first glance.
But as soon as he took in the scene—Marcus leaning over the register, a bouquet of roses on the counter, and my tense expression—his jaw tightened.
A dangerous glint darkened his green eyes.
His gaze flicked to the stranger, then back to Marcus, his mouth a hard line.
He strode to my side without a word, his hand brushing against my arm in a gesture that was reassuringly possessive.
“What’s going on here?” His voice was low, calm—but the edge was unmistakable.
Marcus’s smile returned, but now it was mocking.
“Nothing to worry about, Valen. Just catching up with Tori. Right, Tori?” Marcus asked.
I could feel Cole’s gaze on me, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Marcus, feeling a mixture of anger and fear.
“Marcus was just leaving,” I said firmly, hoping he’d take the hint.
Cole’s hand moved to rest on my shoulder, and his calm exterior began to crack as he looked back at Marcus.
“You heard her,” Cole told Marcus.
Marcus sneered, but he didn’t move.
“You think you can keep her, Valen?” he said, voice dripping with arrogance. “I’m not done here.”
Cole’s grip on my shoulder tightened slightly, his voice dangerously quiet.
“Listen carefully, Marcus. Tori and I are together, and she’s made it clear she doesn’t want you around. So if you have any respect for her—or yourself—you’ll leave. Now,” Cole said icily.
For a second, Marcus looked like he might argue.
Marcus lips curled into an ugly sneer, but then he stepped back, throwing one last glance at me, his eyes promising this wasn’t over.
He tossed the bouquet onto the counter before he finally strode out.
As soon as he was gone, Cole’s hand slid to my arm, turning me to face him.
His eyes searched mine, his jaw tight with worry and something else—something fierce and protective that took my breath away.
“Are you okay?” His voice was gentle, but the intensity in his gaze hadn’t lessened.
I let out a shaky breath, nodding. “Yeah. I’m okay.”
The man who’d been browsing cleared his throat awkwardly. “I, uh… I’ll come back another time.”
He quickly made his way out, leaving Cole and me alone in the quiet of the store.
Cole didn’t release his hold on me, though.