Page 85 of The Originals

He watched Colleen fill two beers and place them on the bar. She glanced down the counter. When her gaze landed on his glass in need of a refill, she walked toward him and glanced up. A small smile played on her lips.

Fuck.

Colleen stopped in front of him, pointing to the glass. “Another, Jack?”

There was something in the way she said his name. It wasn’t the first time he noticed. Her voice hitched slightly. Colleen was sweet and kind to everyone, but only Jack got the breathy tone.

Jack put his hand over his glass. “I’m good, darlin’.”

Colleen raked her teeth over her bottom lip and stepped back, walking to the other end of the bar. And Jack watched.

“That’s right, motherfucker. You do your walk of shame.” Grain laughed as did quite a few others. The brother wasn’t known to let pass an opportunity ribbing another.

Jack sipped his bourbon watching Dunn walk past the bar. Usually Jack would offer some type of encouragement. After all,the fights at the club were all in fun. They weren’t personal. Except this time.

Dunn was followed by a few brothers. Mack and Dove were at his back with one of the club whores, Lyssa. She’d seemed to be spending more time with Dunn in the past few weeks.

“Cheap fucking shot,” Dunn muttered as he passed.

It was a cowardly move. If Dunn had something to say to Jack, he should be man enough to say it to his face. Dunn’s ego took a hit tonight, and had it been any other brother, Jack might’ve let it slide.

Jack shot up from his stool and glared at Dunn. “You have something you want to say to me?”

Dunn stopped and slowly turned. Jack watched as the seconds passed, and the man remained silent. Mack tapped him on the back. His VP was trying to diffuse the situation. Jack didn’t need any interference. If Dunn had something to say, he should say it.

Dunn shrugged off Lyssa who gripped his shoulder. “Cheap fucking shot. The fight was over.”

Jack narrowed his gaze. “Not for me. And just because it knocked you out doesn’t make it a cheap shot.”

Dunn opened his mouth but seemed to rethink whatever he was going to say. He glanced over Jack’s shoulder, and his jaw squared.

“Coll! Let’s fucking go. We’re leaving.”

Jack had no doubt with as much anger and rage Dunn had built up, he’d be taking it out on someone tonight given the chance. Jack wouldn’t allow that. He wasn’t letting her walk out of the clubhouse with Dunn. Jack was just about to make that known, but Colleen beat him to it.

“I’m going to stay.”

Jack’s back straightened when he heard her small voice from behind. Her voice was a little shaky, but she wasn’t unsure ofherself. That seemed to fuel Dunn’s fire, and he lunged toward the bar, his lips twisted, and his gaze darkened.

“No, you’re not. We’re fucking leaving.”

Jack drew in a breath, knowing he had to step in now before Dunn did something stupid like try to remove Colleen physically. That would put Jack over the edge. The beating he’d just given Dunn would look like a light tap compared to what he’d do to the man if he put his hands on Colleen again.

“She’s staying,” Jack said.

The room was drowned in silence. Dunn jerked his head in Jack’s direction.

“Says who?”

“Says me,” Jack said and sat on his stool, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. It was rare any of the members went against him.But every once in a while…

“Ain’t none of your business, Jack.”

Jack looked over at Colleen. She was wide-eyed with her eyes darting between both men. “I’m making it my business.”

“There’s a fucking code, brother, and she’s mine!” Dunn shouted.

Dunn’s claim had his blood boiling, but Jack kept his composure. He slowly turned around, lifted his cigarette, and eyed the man.