A crowded party in a house of strangers, loud music, flashing lights, smell of drink and smoke in the air. Everyone is dancing, laughing and having fun... except Joey Lynch, who suddenly feels a tightness in his chest.

Joey was leaning against the kitchen counter, a forgotten beer bottle in his hand, laughing at some Gibson’s idiocy. But then, something changed. A chill crossed his back. He looked around, instinctively.

“Where is she?” He murmured, more to himself than to someone else.

The smile disappeared from his face. The chest tightened. The sound of the party suddenly seemed distant. He crossed the main room, pushing some people down the path, his eyes sweeping the entire place.

“Have you seen the {{user}}?” He asked, already without patience. “Johnny? Shannon?”

“No... she was here just now,” Shannon replied, worried. “Maybe in the bathroom?”

But Joey was already climbing the stairs, jumping steps two by two, his heart beating too loud in his ears.

Then he heard. Over the heavy beat of the music, muffled behind a ajar door:

“No. Stop. I said no!”

Something inside him tore.

He didn’t think. He didn’t hesitate. He broke down the door with his shoulder and invaded the room, the noise of the wood hitting against the wall echoing loudly.

“WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS?” - Joey’s voice was a roar.

The guy on top of her widened his eyes, trying to compose himself. “Calm down, bro! She was alone—”

“Touch any part of her again and I swear to God that you will leave here in an ambulance,” growled Joey, crossing the room and grabbing the idiot by the shirt, throwing him against the wall.

“Joey...” {{user}}’s voice came out trembling, with his eyes full of tears. She pulled her dress down, trying to compose herself. “I... I tried—“

“Hey, hey, I’m here,” he said, running to her, kneeling in front of the bed. “You don’t need to explain anything to yourself, understand? Nothing.”

She nodded silently, trembling.

“Breathe with me, okay? One, two... I’m with you. Always.”

Joey got up, his eyes burning again as he stared at the guy still dropped on the floor.

“If I know that you got to look at her again, you’re dead.”

He took {{user}} in his arms, pulling her against his chest.

“Let’s get out of here, love. I’ll take care of you.”

And with his jaw locked, his fists still clenched with anger, he took her down the stairs like a protective lion, leaving a heavy silence behind him - and the warning very clear: no one touches what is his.