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I level my gaze, brow arched as she fucking gives it to him, just like he deserves. I bet it feels good too.

Chandler rubs a hand along his mouth before dropping it and laughing again. This time, it sounds a little more maniacal. “You’re such a righteous fucking bitch, Lennon.”

Oh fuck no.

Now, that I can’t allow.

In two short strides, I stop in front of him, closing the distance between us. “I suggest you watch your fucking mouth when you speak to her.”

“Oh yeah? And what are you going to do about it, trailer trash?” he snarls.

My lip curls into a menacing smirk. “If you want to find out, then let me know, pretty boy.”

The air crackles around us, heated tension stealing all the oxygen from the hallway. He’s lost the fucking plot if he thinks that I’m going to stand here and let him disrespect Lennon. He can insult me all day. But her? Not happening.

Suddenly, a hand slips between us, shoving me away from him as her father steps between us. “What is going on?”

I’m quiet, leaving the answer to that question up to the asshole standing across from me.

His jaw works as he contemplates his answer. “Just a friendly little conversation with the degenerate that’s been having sex with your daughter.”

Lennon’s breath hitches at the same time that her father’s eyes narrow into slits, landing on me with a hard, lethal look that should feel intimidating. Maybe it would be to someone else, but not me.

Fuck him.

“Is this a joke, Lennon?” her father hisses quietly, leaning into where we’re standing, his gaze darting around the room like someone’s going to jump out and tell him he’s being punked, or worse, overhear such a scandal.

“You know how important this gala is. You know how much rides on the donations, yet you’re out here making a scene with these two while they’re measuring their dicks? ”

I snort. Mine’s bigger. Obviously.

“Do you even care that Chandler is the one who started it? That Chandler is the one who said vile, disrespectful things about me? Do you even care at all?” Her voice wavers, and I hate that they have this effect on her.

It does nothing to quell the simmering rage that has my blood boiling.

“This is not the place, Lennon. I truly do not know why you’ve suddenly started to act so childish and obstinate.

But this silly little rebellion ends today.

This—” He sweeps a hand toward me. “—ends today. I am not going to have it. Walk away and handle this later. Do not cause a bigger scene.” His voice is low, authoritative, and for a second, I’m worried she might back down, that she might cower to the narcissistic asshole.

But instead, she squares her shoulders and lifts her chin, jaw tense as she grits her teeth together.

I watch, transfixed by her. “Contrary to what you might think, Dad, my life doesn’t revolve around you and what you want.

I have my own feelings, my own dreams, my own needs .

Saint is my boyfriend, and if you’re making me choose…

I’m going to choose him. Every single time.

You’ll lose me. Is that something you’re prepared for? ”

“You are my daughter, and you are a Rousseau . You will behave like a Rousseau, and you will not embarrass our family any further than you already have, Lennon. You will not be traipsing around town with this trash any longer. Do I make myself clear?” His words drip with venom, face bright red with fury.

She wanted to hit him where it hurts, and she did exactly that by refusing to play the part.

When he reaches for her arm like he’s going to drag her out of the room, I step forward, blocking him. “Don’t touch her.”

His face goes slack as he stares at me, then behind me at Lennon, before he takes a step closer. “I don’t know who the hell you think you are, but this is a matter between my daughter and me. I suggest you back the fuck up before I have you thrown out like the trash you are. “

A chuckle rumbles from my chest, devoid of all humor.

I’m about two seconds from giving security a real fucking reason to throw me out when Lennon steps between us, placing a hand on my chest and pushing me back slightly.

“He’s right, this isn’t the time or the place.

I’ve said everything that I had to say. He’s made his choice, and I’ve made mine. ”

For a second, he looks like he’s going to say something back. Something fucking stupid, if I had to guess, but ultimately, he says nothing.

She’s right. He did make a choice, and unsurprisingly, yet again, he hasn’t chosen his daughter.

Lennon captures my hand in hers, her fingers tightening in mine as I throw both of them one last look before we start to walk away.

“You know, Lennon…” Chandler mumbles behind us, “If you ever get tired of fucking the help , I’ll be here. I can fuck you like the dirty, washed-up cock slut you are now. I should’ve taken what I was owed when I had the fucking chance.”

I don’t even fucking think as I drop her hand, spinning toward him.

I vaguely hear her calling my name as I storm over to him, vaguely notice her father stepping forward when I make it to him.

And then my fist is flying, my knuckles smashing into Chandler’s face so hard that his head whips to the side, and he staggers backward, clutching his nose, which I hope to fucking God I just broke.

Surprisingly, he doesn’t go down. He spits a stream of bloodied saliva near my feet and then charges at me, his arms hitting my waist as he tackles me to the ground with a grunt.

It takes nothing to flip him over until I’m straddling his torso, and this time, I hit him harder, my fist connecting with his cheekbone, blood pouring from the split skin.

Hearing him say that shit about the girl I love was too fucking far.

It’s not just the shit that he said but how he’s treated her, the shit that he’s done to hurt her.

Three hits in, my arms are grabbed by someone, and I’m wrenched off him, my chest heaving as they drag me away, leaving him on the floor, covered in blood and groaning.

“Saint, oh my God.” Lennon collides against me, her hands moving over my face, my head, my neck as she checks for injuries.

I force my eyes to hers. “I’m good, baby, I’m good. He didn’t even get a fucking hit on me.”

Because he’s a worthless pussy.

Out of my periphery, I see three police officers heading our way, and I exhale slowly. I knew it would happen, but it was well fucking worth it. Her gaze follows mine, and she draws the same conclusion.

When she looks back at me, there are tears welling in her eyes, and I fight against the security guards holding me back because I need to hold her. I need to wipe away the tears.

“Saint, I’m scared. I-I…”

I drop my forehead against hers. “I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me, Golden Girl. I’ll gladly sit in a jail cell if it means that piece of shit got what he deserves.” Fuck, the insinuation in his words about what he should’ve done to her makes me blind with rage again.

I pull back and press a kiss to her lips before the security guard yanks me away from her, and I feel the cold bite of metal along my wrists as I’m handcuffed and my rights are read.

I don’t regret it.

Not a single fucking second.

Lennon follows closely behind the officer as he hauls me toward the exit, but before I let him pull me through the door, I turn to her father, who’s just as guilty, if not more, in all of this.

“Unlike you, I will always put your daughter first. There’s nothing in this world I wouldn’t do for her.

No line I wouldn’t cross. One day, she’s going to find out about all the fucked-up, disgusting shit you’ve done to get ahead, and you know who’s going to be there when she does? Me , motherfucker.”