SILAS

I watched Mathew’s hand snake around Maya’s waist. I was a second too slow. My fingers had only brushed her sleeve before he was pulling her into his space. Seeing his hand on her, the casual, entitled way he gripped her, made my jaw tighten.

I didn't wait. I stepped forward and jerked Maya away from him, pulling her against my side. My arm locked around her waist to keep her there. I needed her away from him, away from that look in his eyes.

"She is not swappable.” I looked Mathew dead in the eye, letting the warning hang there. "She is my—”

I was going to say...