He shouldn’t be here. He’d supposedly moved not long after you’d finally found the strength to end the relationship. You’d fooled yourself into thinking that you were healing from what he had put you through, when in reality you were only feeling safe because you didn’t have to see him. But now, as he walks into Kelce’s party, your pulse starts to race, your body trembles and your throat feels drier than the Sahara Desert. Just that brief glimpse was enough to trigger your flight response. You had to remind yourself that you weren’t alone. You were with Rafe. You pressed closer to Rafe, taking comfort in the heat of his body against yours. Rafe wouldn’t let anything happen to you. Rafe would keep you safe. You just hoped Rafe’s presence beside you would be enough for your ex to stay far away from you tonight. You had never given Rafe the full details of that relationship, and you knew if you had to tonight, you’d probably break down.

Rafe can feel the way your spine stiffens underneath his large hand pressed against the small of your back. He can also feel the way your body starts to tremble, and see the look of panic in your eyes. It wasn’t like you to be scared, you always carried yourself with confidence. But something had spooked you, and he wanted to know what. His eyes cast over the crowd in the direction your eyes are focused. He tightens his grip around your waist as he identifies the threat. Your ex Pierce. He didn’t know the guy, had only seen him at a few parties with you when the two of you were dating.

He had always felt like there was more to the guy than meets the eye. You’d never seemed comfortable around him, even flinching when his hands would touch you. He had noticed anytime you brought up Pierce, your eyes would dart around nervously like you expected the guy to spring up. Your facial expression would darken, and you’d quickly change the subject. If someone happened to mention Pierce’s name, you’d shut down and cling to him. He had his suspicions about why you wouldn’t talk about him, and he hated them.

Pierce, clearly had some kind of death wish, as he was making his way over to you and Rafe. As your nails dug deeper into Rafe’s skin, his anger towards the guy only grew. You were the light of his life, and he would be damned if he was going to let the guy get close enough to trigger you more. Rafe moves in front of you, using his broad shoulders to block you from Pierce’s view.

“Pierce. I’ve been dying to meet you.” Rafe growls, his fists clench as he steps towards him, not stopping until he’s right in front of him, face to face. He knows you hate it when he fights, but he has to protect you.

“You think you can hurt my girlfriend and get away with it?” He doesn’t even wait for the guy to answer. He rears back and slams his fist hard into Pierce’s face, smiling when he hears the crack of bone. He tackles Pierce to the ground, punching him repeatedly. The sense of satisfaction he gets out of hurting this scumbag loser, makes his heart race. Everyone around has backed up, eyes focused on the fight. Chants of ‘get him, Rafe,’ echo all around. Apparently, this guy had no fans. Rafe grabs him by the hair and slams his head against the floor. He’s readying to throw another punch, enjoying the bruises that are forming, when he feels arms grasp him and pull him off Pierce.

Pierce backs away, and Rafe fights against his friend restraining him. Then his eyes land on your face, and he can see tears falling. He shakes his head, raising his hands to let his friend know he was done fighting. He looks down at Pierce and gives him a deathly glare.

“Stay away from her. Don’t even look at her. If I see you close to her, I’ll make sure you never can so much as breathe the same air as her. He gives him one last kick to the stomach, letting him know the threat was real, before backing up and going to you.