Butterfly's Year

11. Knights in shining armor

– A bitch is threatening me – the blond man wheezed, still being choked by Victor's clenched fists on his collar.

Alec didn't react in any way, he just gave me a questioning look.

– You're leaving now – I announced calmly. – And you might not find the door, so it's probably best if you escort him there. Let him go, Vic! – I hissed.

Alec didn't ask any questions. He simply grabbed the blond man by the scruff and led him out of the room, and although the guy didn't put up much of a fight, he kept glaring at me furiously until they disappeared through the exit.

– Paulina. Are you okay? – Victor rushed over to me and started inspecting me as if I were his car and he was checking for scratches.

– What are you doing here? – I began, bewildered, because I had no idea how he found me. – How did you...? Alec! – I shot an accusatory look at the guard who had just returned. – Did you call him?

I glared at him, and when he looked down, I knew it was his doing.

To hell with all these overprotective men! Did I ask him to call anyone? Did I need help? No! But he knew better, of course!

– And he did the right thing – Victor declared, giving Alec a look full of appreciation. – You can't wander around alone at night. It's dangerous.

– You should look after her better – Alec said, clearly pleased that Victor approved of his intervention. – The guy was furious.

– Paulina – Victor addressed me in a tone usually reserved for disobedient children. – You know I don't like it when you disappear after dark or talk to strangers.

– He wasn't a stranger – I replied matter-of-factly, holding back a comment about his and Alec's overprotectiveness towards me. – He's the blond guy who once gave you a black eye here. And I'm not a child to be watched over.

Victor furrowed his brow, but it didn't take him long to connect the dots.

– That bastard? – he growled, as if he hadn't heard my last sentence. – Why were you talking to him? What did he want from you?

– He approached me – I said, shrugging innocently. – And he didn't do anything to me.

– But he could have – Alec interjected. – You shouldn't leave her alone like that.

I shot him an indignant look because we always played on the same team, but I didn't have time to say anything because Vic spoke first.

– I've told her a thousand times – he huffed, giving me an accusatory look. – Paulina, you're not invincible. Eventually, someone will be too strong and too cunning. Don't talk to strange, horny men when you're alone.

– Exactly – Alec agreed. – You shouldn't put yourself at risk for fun. I know you're tough, but sometimes I worry about you – he said, sending me a weary, almost disapproving look. – I thought that when you met someone, you'd stop doing this. For him.

The little creature living inside me already had its helmet and boxing gloves on, ready to fight anyone who dared challenge my self-sufficiency, but I just clenched my hands into fists.

– I wasn't putting myself at risk – I replied bitterly. – I was sitting quietly, and he sat down next to me.

– Why didn't you go straight upstairs to Mira? – Victor asked in a tone as if he were speaking to a child who didn't quite grasp reality. – You could have had a drink there too.

Clenched fists, however, were not enough.

– Stop treating me like a porcelain doll! – I snapped, because his patronizing tone was starting to seriously irritate me.

– Pula, he's worried about you – Alec had to add his two cents.

– Exactly – Victor agreed. – I worry about you because I know your limitations and I know there are situations where you won't be able to handle it. And then it will be too late. I don't want to find you one day with your throat slit, raped, beaten, and abandoned in some dark alley.

– He's right – Alec continued to firmly support Victor, as if Victor had paid him for it. – You're just a woman.

The little creature living inside me stirred uneasily. What did that – just– mean?

– Just a woman?! – I retorted. – And who's saying that? How long have we known each other?

After all, Alec had known me for quite some time. He'd seen me handle more persistent guys here many times and never complained it was dangerous. How many times had he approached me, ready to confront yet another guy driven mad by excitement, only to find there was nothing left to do because I had already taken care of it myself? It wasn't until the esteemed Victor took me under his protective wing that something shifted in Alec's mind, making him unrecognizable.

Both Victor and Alec opened their mouths to say something, but Mira didn't let them get a word in.

– Gentlemen, enough – she sharply cut off the discussion. – Paulina is an adult and can take care of herself. She knows when and where it's safe for her. She doesn't need to be watched over every step of the way. And that guy is no longer allowed in here.

– I just want to... – Victor started, but Mirabela didn't let him finish this time either.

– I know you're worried about her – she interjected in her usual calm tone – but she has free will and is not stupid.

The little creature living inside me calmed down a bit. Finally, someone was speaking sense.

– Don't you think she's been through enough already?– Victor's voice carried a mix of concern and irritation. – She's had enough fear and suffering. I just want to protect her.

– And that's good – Mirabela praised him approvingly. – Protect her. But don't tell her what to do. She's not your property. If she gets angry, she'll do the opposite to spite you.

– She'll put herself in danger just to spite me? – Victor looked at Mira as if she were not all there. – The guy remembered her and approached her. That's not normal. I won't let some unstable type harass her.

– I wasn't in any danger – I interjected, annoyed that they were talking about me as if I weren't even there. – And he's not harassing me; I just happened to run into him at the bar. I was completely safe here. I even had a knife, which you so desperately wanted to take away from me.

– I've already told you that if someone wants to drag you out of here, they will – he growled, giving me a fierce look. – One day, Alec won't react in time. A small knife might not be enough. You can't treat grown, horny, and drunk men like little chihuahua dogs that will bark a bit and then let go. They don't think clearly.

– Speaking from personal experience? – I asked, unable to resist the jab.

– Yes – he muttered curtly. – And this is not a game. You can't play with them.

– I'm not playing – I protested, indignant. – I'm done with that.

– I'm not saying you're playing – he sighed heavily. – But you talk to them. You get into conversations, you let them touch you – he muttered, gently taking my still-reddened wrist.

I quickly hid my hand behind my back and gave him a defiant look.

– Victor. Paulina – Mira interjected in our conversation with an authoritative tone. – Resolve this at home. I'm sure you'll find a solution.

She gave us a meaningful look, which undoubtedly meant she was fed up with the discussion, so, reluctantly, I packed myself into Victor's car, though it was more him who put me in it, and we drove to that damn apartment.