Page 46 of By Invitation Only

“Some men are sick.”

I watched as Peyton looked down at the glass and then raised it to toast Jason. I broke out into a sprint, and just as the glass touched her lips, I pulled it away. The crowd around us fell silent, and I glared at Jason.

“What the fuck, dude?” he asked.

I took the glass of red liquid and shoved it in his face. “How about you take a sip?”

He tsked. “I got the drink for Peyton.”

“What are you doing, Booker?” Peyton asked at my side. “Give me my drink back.”

“No,” I clipped. “I want Jason here to take a sip first.”

“Dude.” He furrowed his eyebrows. “Give the lady back her drink.”

I got within an inch of his face. “Not until you take a sip.”

Peyton tugged at my arm. “Booker. Please.”

“Gorgeous,” I hissed. I didn’t have more to say as I stared Jason in the eyes.

He stepped back and turned his gaze to her. “I’ll get you another one.”

“The hell you will.” I grabbed his white tuxedo shirt with my free hand.

“Why are you acting like this?” Peyton asked.

“You should ask this wanker.”

He stared me down, not talking. I glared more, silently urging him to tell the truth. “You gonna fight me one handed?” Jason dared.

I chuckled. “You want me to?”

“No one is fighting. Booker, let him go. You’re causing a scene.” Peyton tugged at the arm that still held the glass.

“It’s better I cause a scene than you not remember this night.”

Her tug stilled. “What?”

I stepped closer to Jason, my chest connecting with his and hissed, “That’s right, motherfucker. I know what you do, and you’re not doing it to my girl.”

He laughed and wiggled out of my grasp. “Your girl? We were just getting acquainted. Looks like she didn’t choose you.”

My fist clenched hard around his shirt. “You think I’m going to let her anywhere near you from now on? I know, mate. I know!” I shoved the glass in front of his face.

“I don’t have to deal with this shit. She’s all yours.”

Yeah, she is.

He tried to break free from my grasp, and I let him go. I walked to the door, tossed the liquid out, and then set the empty glass on a black tray. All eyes were on me, including Randy’s who had walked up at some point.

“He was going to drug me?” Peyton whispered when I was near her again.

I sighed. “Yeah, gorgeous. That’s his MO.”

She sat in the empty chair, and I knelt down in front of her. “It’s okay.”

“It’s not okay,” she stated. “I never thought that could happen at a private club.”