Guarded

God, please let this night end. I step onto the balcony, leaving the horrendous music inside.

Some eighteenth birthday. A grand opening at a car dealership would be more fun. If I was allowed to go to such things.

Sigh. I lean against the rail wishing for a balcony collapse until I’m rudely interrupted.

“So… finally turning eighteen.” After saying a silent curse, I turn to find the leering eyes of Niall Murphy on me. Like a spooked animal, I freeze.

The bastard probably followed me out here. “Yep.” My reply to the man is curt if not frigid. I’m not going to this conversation any oxygen.

He steps closer. “Why aren’t you wearing a dress like Shauna tonight?”

My lips draw tight on their own. “Because I’m wearing this dress.”

The plain black one that would be more appropriate for my funeral. Given that mine is soon approaching, it seemed fitting.

He turns up his whiskey glass. A sizable amount disap pears. After making an ‘ah’ sound, Niall and licks his over sized lips suggestively.

Gag. Horrendous alcohol breath hits me when he speaks. “You’re just saving yourself for the man your father’s going to give you to.”

A choking sound threatens to erupt from my chest. “I’m not saving myself for anyone.” Crap. Wrong thing to say. That did not come out how I intended. Eyes venomous, he leans down, draws in a sniff next to my ear, and releases a hot, disgusting puff of air. “Now that’s the answer I wanted.”

As someone passes by the open French door, he stands up, pretending like nothing is happening.

Pig. This is my opening to dart away. Only Niall wraps a meaty hand around my arm.

I glare at his thick, scarred fingers. Niall is probably twenty years older than me. By the looks of him, it’s been twenty hard years.

Not sure if his face has been on the wrong side of a fist

too many times or it’s just the alcohol bottle he lives in that’s left him puffy and ugly as a bullfrog.

I almost smile. Thank god he’s not one of the truly influential players in the Chicago syndicates. That means my father won’t give me to him.

But that doesn’t mean he won’t try to do something awful.

I need to get away before he drags me off into a dark corner and does something horrible.

My almost smile turns into a mask that hides my fear. “I suggest you let go, this isn’t the place for unwanted advances.”

“Unwanted?” His color flashes red like there’s a switch for his face. “I’ve seen the way you look at me.”

I snort and probably push the wrong button when I say, “I’m sorry. Did you confuse my dislike for something else?”

Maybe I’m craving my own funeral more than I thought.

He glares at me for a beat before he chuckles darkly. “I’ve always liked your forked tongue. Now, why don’t we take a visit to the bathroom where you can use it for sucking me off. After that, I’ll pop that cherry and give you a proper birthday spanking.”

I’m so shocked I have to snap my mouth shut. Is this happening in the middle of a party? God, and is this what’s going to be happening now that I’m of age?

I knew it would be bad. I didn’t expect this level of disgust.

I’m so stunned, I can only stare at the oversized jerk as steam builds inside my head.

When his hand tightens, I issue a demand. “Let go of

me, Niall. I’m not going anywhere with you. I’m sure you don’t want my father to notice you manhandling me.”

A wave of heat and pulsing energy sweeps up my right side. A sharp, dominant voice booms between us. “The lady said let go.”

I almost sag. A tremor runs through me. Thank god. Kieran, the head bodyguard gives Niall a look that could melt steel.

Niall’s exhale is sharp. “Why don’t you mind your own business?”

Kieran steps closer. “You seem to forget that Ms. Coghlan’s well-being is my business.”

“Go do something else,” Niall says in an off-hand tone. Oh. No. Kieran’s cool and calm, and deadly looking. I’ve always thought the one you should fear most is the one that seems calm on the outside.

“Take your hand off of her.”

“If I don’t…” Niall challenges. “You go over the rail of the balcony.” There’s a standoff. I’m shaking. My knees feel like water. The thought of Niall flying off the balcony and drag ging me with him makes me momentarily breathless.

Kieran flicks dark, hard eyes to me. “Don’t be afraid, my Carra.”

My Carra. Those two words slice through me with heat. Getting face to face with Niall, Kieran says in a deadly, low voice, “If you don’t let go, I’ll break every bone in your body before I show you the mercy of throwing you to your death.”

I’m not sure what’s about to happen. But I know that I never want Kieran mad at me.

They breathe at each other. I can’t breathe at all. Niall’s hand falls away.

“Go inside,” Kieran orders. I leap into motion.