CHAPTER 8 Rumors

  IAN'S POV

  Leah looked at me, her eyes pleading. I knew then that she was afraid, that she needed me to help her. And I wasn't going to let her down. "I'm fine," she said, but her voice shook. 

  "Everything's fine."

  "Really?" I said, my gaze locked on Aiden's. "Because it doesn't look fine to me. It looks like you're trying to force her to do something she doesn't want to do. And that's not okay."

  Aiden's face flushed, and he glared at me. "This is none of your business," he said, his voice icy. "Stay out of it."

  But I wasn't going to back down. "It is my business," I said, my voice hard. "Leah is my friend, and I won't let you hurt her."

  Aiden stood up, his hands clenched into fists. "I'm warning you," he said, his voice low and menacing. "Back off, or you'll regret it."

  I met his gaze, unafraid. "The only one who's going to regret anything is you," I said. "If you don't leave her alone, I'll make sure you pay for it."