Chapter 6

Isabella's POV

"Hey pretty."

I turned. A guy with brown hair and a wide smile was standing too close to me. He held a red cup in each hand.

"I'm Mason," he said, loud over the music. "Want to dance?"

I didn't answer. My eyes were still on the stairs, looking for my brother. Daniel's tall. Daniel's always easy to find. But the room was full of heads and flashing lights, and I couldn't see him anywhere.

"Isabella." Betty pulled my arm. "Breathe. You're doing the thing."

"What thing?"

"The thing where you look like a scared rabbit. Daniel's not here. And even if he was, you're not a baby anymore. You're allowed to go to a party."

"I know."

"Then act like it."

I nodded. I was about to say something to Mason when I noticed Killian eyes on my skin. 

The tall girl he had been talking to stood alone by the stairs, looking confused. He didn't even look back at her. His eyes were dark, and his jaw was tight.

"Oh no," Betty whispered. "He looks angry.”

Killian started walking toward me and he stopped  right in front of me. He looked at my dress then at Mason, who was standing right beside me. Then his eyes dropped to Mason's hand, which was resting on my arm.

"What are you doing here?" Killian asked.

"Having fun," I said. "What does it look like?"

"Why are you wearing that?" He raised one of his brows. 

"Wearing what?"

"That." He waved his hand at my dress. "It's short. Everyone's looking at you."

"It's a dress, Killian."

"And why are you with him?" He didn't look at Mason when he said it. "Why is he holding your hand?"

"He's not holding my hand."

"He's touching you."

I pulled my arm away from Mason, mostly to prove a point. Then I crossed my arms and looked Killian right in the eye. "It's none of your business."

"It is my business."

"How?"

"Because your brother is my friend." He took a step closer. "Because you're practically my sister."

The word made me laugh, but there was no joy in it. It tasted bitter.

"I'm not your sister," I said. "We're not related. Not by blood, not by anything. You're a stranger to me."

"Isabella."

"You called me a baby this afternoon. You called me unripe. So don't stand here and act like you care who touches me." My voice was getting louder. A few people turned to look. I didn't care. "Get out of my face."

"I'm not leaving."

"Then I will."

I turned to go, but his hand caught my wrist. It was warm and firm, and I hated that my heart jumped. "You're coming with me. I'm taking you home."

"Let go."

"Not until you listen."

"Hey, man." Mason finally stepped in. He put his hand on Killian's shoulder. "Give it up. She knows what she wants. She's an adult. You're making a scene."

Killian turned his head very slowly. "Take your hand off me."

"I'm just saying-"

"Killian, stop!" I said. I pulled my wrist hard, and this time he let go. "You're not my babysitter. You don't get to walk up here and decide who I talk to. You don't have any right."

His face was tight. He looked like he wanted to say a hundred things. But he only said, quietly, "You don't understand."

"No. You don't." I put both hands on his chest and pushed him. He didn't move much, because he was too strong, but he stepped back. "I'm done. Stay away from me."

Then I grabbed Mason's hand. "Come on," I said. "Let's dance."

Mason grinned. He looked a little shocked, but he followed me. I didn't look back. I could feel Killian's eyes burning into my back, but I kept walking until we reached the middle of the room.

I danced. I made myself smile. I made myself laugh when Mason said something funny. Betty gave me a worried look from across the room, and I waved at her to say I was fine.

I wasn't fine.

"You want a drink?" Mason shouted.

"Sure."

He handed me one of the red cups. It was sweet and strong. I drank half of it quickly, because I wanted the heat in my chest to stop feeling like anger. We danced again. Then we had another drink. The music grew louder, and the room felt warmer.

Mason moved closer. His hand slid onto my back. I stiffened, but I didn't say anything.

I knew Killian was still watching. I could feel it. He stood by the wall now, with his arms crossed, and he didn't look away from me for one second. If I pushed Mason away, he would think I was scared. He would think he had been right. He would come over and take me home like a child.

I would not give him that.

So I let Mason's hand stay on my back. I kept smiling. But my stomach felt tight, and every time Mason leaned in to talk, I leaned away.

"You're so pretty," he said into my ear. His breath smelled like beer. "You know that?"

"Thanks."

"Let's go somewhere quieter."

"I'm okay here."

"Come on." His hand moved to my waist and squeezed. "Don't be shy."

"Stop." I tried to step back. "I said I'm okay here."

"Relax. I'm not going to hurt you."

Then he pulled me against him, and his face came down fast.

"No!" I turned my head. His mouth landed on my cheek, wet and heavy. I put my hands on his shoulders and pushed with all my strength, but he was bigger than me, and he only laughed and held on tighter. My heart was pounding. I felt small and stupid. 

"Mason, let go!"

"Don't pretend you don't want it-"

He never finished his words when a fist came out of nowhere and hit his jaw. The sound cracked over the music. Mason flew backward, knocked into two people, and crashed onto the floor. His cup rolled away, and sticky liquid spread across the boards.

Everything stopped. The people around us went quiet.

Killian stood in front of me, breathing hard, with his fist still tight. His knuckles were bleeding from the night before, and now they were bleeding again. He didn't look at me. He only stared at the boy on the floor, as if he was ready to hit him again.

My whole body was shaking.

"Killian!" I shouted.