Fighting to go on

Chapter 20

            I peeked around Ryan and spotted three guys standing in front of us. They were all average height and build, but they looked a little older then us, probably in their early twenties. The guy in the middle was obviously the leader, because he was the one who took a step forward. “Just hand over the girl and no one will get hurt,” he said snidely.

            I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. How cliché was that line? Ryan obviously didn’t find it the least bit amusing though. The hand on my waist gently pushed me until I was completely behind him again. Then he turned his full attention to the three people in front of him. “Fuck off,” he said in a low and deadly voice.

            The two guys who hadn’t stepped forward visibly flinched at the venom in Ryan’s tone, and the leader also had a moment of hesitation. But apparently he had a death wish, because he then smirked. “Nah, I’d rather fuck her,” he said.

            I felt Ryan coil and get ready to spring, so I quickly placed my hand on his arm. “Hey, let’s just go,” I said. “We can go to my place for the night.”

            My words had an immediate effect on him. Some of the tension drained out of his body and he turned his head to look at me over his shoulder. “Maybe you’re right,” he said. 

            I smiled and slid my hand down his arm until my fingers were curled around his fist. “Haven’t you learned that I’m always right?” I said teasingly.

            A tiny smile played at his lips. “Yes dear,” he said in a mocking tone.

            Apparently the leader of the three guys didn’t like being ignored, because he broke in again. “The only way either of you are leaving is if she comes with us,” he said menacingly.

            I closed my eyes and blew out a breath. “Bugger it,” I muttered. I opened my eyes and looked at Ryan again. “Don’t kill him,” I said, before removing my hand from him and taking a step back.

             A wicked gleam entered Ryan’s eyes. “No promises,” he replied. He removed his hand from my waist and from what I could tell, he crossed his arms over his chest. He slid his feet apart a little, settling into a stance that seemed casual, but I knew better. “I’m going to warn you once,” Ryan told the guys. “Back off and stay the hell away from me and my girlfriend.”

            I think the two guys that were still a few steps further back would have been more then willing to listen to him, but the leader obviously had a chip on his shoulder. “Who’s going to make us? There’s three of us and one of you.”

            “Matt, maybe we should just get out of here,” one of the other guys said. Smart boy.

            Matt, however, was not a smart boy. “Shut up Nick,” he snapped. “You and Oliver listen to me, not the other way around.”

            I couldn’t really see what happened next. I think Matt must have lunged at Ryan, because Ryan swung his arm back and his fist shot forward. There was a loud thwack, followed by a thud and then silence. I peered around Ryan again and saw Matt sprawled on the ground, out cold.

            I walked around Ryan and nudged the body with my foot. “Think he’s still alive?” I asked casually.

            Ryan stepped up beside me and looked down as well. “I think so,” he said. He crouched down and felt for a pulse. He stood up with a nod. “Yup, he’s still alive.” He looked over at Nick and Oliver. “Either of you want to try?”