5. Couple’s Fight

“Let go of me, you…you brute!” Sky screamed, her voice drowned by the loud music.

Charlie sighed but didn’t release her arm. “Outside,” he said. He kept his voice low but sharp.

“No,” she shot back instantly, planting her heels into the floor.

Stubborn as ever.

Charlie leaned in close enough that he caught the scent of her perfume. It hit him before he could stop it, something soft and sweet, like vanilla and jasmine.

He gritted his teeth. “You’re making this harder than it needs to be.”

Sky twisted in his grip, glaring up at him, her green eyes flashing like sparks under the club lights. “You’re making this humiliating! Let go of me before I…before I scream!”

Charlie almost laughed. “And blow your cover?”

Her jaw dropped. “You…ugh! You’re such a jerk!”

Before Charlie could answer, a hand landed on his shoulder.

“Hey, man,” a male voice cut in. “Maybe let the lady go?”

Charlie turned slowly. The guy Sky was dancing with stood behind him, jaw set, trying to look brave despite being at least half a head shorter.

Sky said nothing but her eyes widened.

Charlie studied him for a moment, expression unreadable. Then he loosened the grip on Sky’s arm, but didn’t let go. “Who are you?”

“Leo,” he said, puffing out his chest. “You think you can just drag a lady out of clubs?”

Charlie snorted. “A lady?”

Leo’s jaw tightened. “You heard me, man. Let her go, or I’m calling the cops.”

That actually made Charlie laugh. “You’re welcome to try,” he said calmly.

Leo’s hand went to his pocket, fumbling for his phone. “Yeah? Watch me.”

Sky’s stomach dropped. “Leo, don’t…”

Charlie stepped forward just enough to make Leo freeze. His voice stayed level, but something cold edged his tone. “You call them, and you’re the one going to jail.”

Leo blinked, confused. “What? For what?”

Charlie’s mouth curved slightly. “For trying to hit on a minor.”

Leo froze, eyes darting to Sky. “She’s not…wait, what?”

Sky groaned, dragging a hand down her face. “Oh my god, Charlie, could you not announce that to the entire club?”

Charlie ignored her. His gaze stayed locked on Leo, steady and unflinching. “She’s seventeen. Which means this little club adventure you’re part of? Illegal. So go ahead, call the cops. Let’s see who they take first.”

Leo’s face went pale. “Seventeen?”

Sky rolled her eyes. “Relax. It’s not like I was—”

Leo stepped back, looking mortified. “Okay, no, no, nope. I’m not getting arrested tonight.”

Charlie tilted his head. “Smart choice.”

Leo raised his hands. “Look, man, I didn’t know! I swear, I thought she was—”

“Yeah,” Charlie interrupted, voice still low. “You thought. Now think about walking away before I help you decide.”

Sky smacked Charlie’s arm. “You’re scaring him!”

“That’s the point,” Charlie said.

Leo took another step back. “Okay, okay, I’m gone. No problem. You two have…whatever this is.” He gestured awkwardly between them before disappearing into the crowd like a man escaping a crime scene.

Sky whirled on Charlie, cheeks flushed. “You’re unbelievable!”

Charlie looked down at her, expression flat. “You’re welcome for not letting some creep take you home.”

“I wasn’t in danger!” she hissed.

Charlie exhaled slowly, rubbing a hand over his face. “Let’s go, Sky.”

She bit her lower lip, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment or maybe anger. “I am staying.”

Alright, if that’s how she is going to play.

Before Sky could even blink, his arm wrapped around her waist.

“Wait…hey!” she yelped, kicking her legs as he lifted her clean off the ground and slung her over his shoulder like she weighed nothing. “Put me down, you absolute caveman!”

Charlie started walking toward the exit, completely unfazed by the barrage of fists pounding against his back. “You’ve had enough fun for one night,” he said.

“I just got here!” she cried, smacking his shoulder.

“You weren’t supposed to be here in the first place,” Charlie said.

A few people turned to look, half amused, half entertained. One girl holding a drink grinned and said, “Couple’s fight?”

“Not a couple!” Sky yelled. “He’s my bodyguard!”

Charlie kept walking, his tone calm. “You’re not helping your case, Princess.”

“Stop calling me that!” she fumed. “And put me down before I…before I bite you!”

He raised an eyebrow, glancing over his shoulder. “You bite me, and I’m telling your father about this.”

“You wouldn’t!”

“I would.”

By the time they reached the door, Sky was still wriggling like a cat in a bath, furious and flustered. Charlie nodded politely to the bouncer, who stepped aside immediately. Good thing he had thought of briefing him before.

Outside, the cool air hit them both. Sky twisted again, trying to wiggle free. “Put me down, or I swear I’ll…”

He stopped beside his car, finally setting her on her feet.

Sky stumbled a little, catching her balance before spinning around to glare at him. “You are the worst human being I’ve ever met!”

Charlie adjusted his sleeves, completely unbothered. “Good thing I’m not here to be liked.”

“You embarrassed me!” she shouted. “In front of everyone!”

“You embarrassed yourself, sneaking into a club you had no business being in.”

“I was just dancing!”

“With a grown man.”

“He was nice!”

“He was drunk.”

Sky froze, mouth opening and closing before she crossed her arms tightly over her chest. “I hate you.”

Charlie looked away to unlock the car and tried not to let her words affect him. He kept his voice even, quiet. “I will live.”

Sky stomped her heel against the pavement. “You can’t keep treating me like a child!”

He turned, meeting her glare head-on. “Then stop acting like one.”

Her breath caught. For a second, she looked stunned. Then her chin lifted stubbornly, her green eyes sparking again. “You’re such a robot. Do you ever feel anything, or do you just exist to ruin people’s lives?”

Charlie opened the passenger door. “Get in the car.”

“No,” she snapped.

He arched a brow. “You want me to carry you again?”

Her mouth fell open. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“I would.”

For a heartbeat, they stared at each other. Her fury burning, his expression cool. Then she huffed, brushing past him and climbing into the car.

Charlie closed the door behind her before circling to the driver’s side. When he slid in, Sky had already turned her body toward the window, arms crossed, lips pressed tight.

The drive was thick with tense silence.

Sky sat turned toward the window, arms crossed, still fuming.

Charlie grinned quietly. This wasn’t the first time he had to deal with Sky’s tantrum and won’t be the last.

After a long moment, she muttered, “Where’s Mila?”

“She’s fine,” he said.

Sky turned sharply. “What do you mean fine? Where is she?”

“She’s still at the club,” Charlie said evenly. “Marco is escorting her to her car.”

Sky’s jaw dropped. “What?”

“I wasn’t about to leave her alone in that place,” he said. “She was panicking when she realized you were gone. I made sure she got out safely.”

“She doesn’t know Marco!” Sky’s voice rose an octave. “Charlie, she’s going to freak out! You can’t just unleash Mafia guys on civilians!”

“He will just walk her to her car,” he said simply. “And warn her not to help you sneak out again.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” she squealed.

Charlie’s lips twitched. “No.”