Raw [#Wattys2015]

Chapter 25

"Looks to me like my woman forgot her manners," he seethes into my ear, while pushing the back of my skull against the hard wooden wall. My eyes widen as I feel the large splinters digging into my head

The sound of the air escaping through the space between his dirty fingers is all I can hear. My mind is racing, but is not seeming to land on any particular thing so it seems blank and I've apparently forgotten how to use most of my senses because my body is completely frozen.

His grip on the front of my face tightens suddenly, making me wince as the pressure on my jaw transitions into pain, then all at once is gone. My body jerks forward as his hand gripping my hip is forcefully jerked away and I stumble on unsteady feet. I catch my balance along the air conditioning unit while immediately noticing James shoving Jeremy away from me. He rights his footing, then stands with his body positioned in front of me, facing a furious, ball-fisted Jeremy. Before I can really assimilate what is happening, although I have a pretty good idea, Jeremy charges towards James, knocking him backward into a bar table next to me.

"James!" I shriek loudly just as the table legs buckle underneath the weight of their bodies slamming into it. Jeremy lands over top of James amidst the broken table pieces and fallen bar stoold and swings his balled fist towards his face.

Luckily, James seems to anticipate his move and manages to dodge his punch, while somehow twisting himself around and locking Jeremy's body in a very unnatural and painful looking hold.

"Get the fuck off of me pretty boy!" Jeremy screams, freeing one of his arms and punching James in the side of the ribs.

"James!" I scream again, lunging toward them. "Jeremy stop it!" I yell, reaching out to grab him and missing by what feels like a mile as someone wraps both of their arms around my waist and lifts me off my feet.

"No ma'am, you are not getting in the middle of that." Matty grunts while clumsily pulling to the side.

"Matthew Keller! Let me go!" I shout. "Why did you let James go? I thought you were holding him back!" I struggle against his arms, which are locked securely around my waist.

"Rory, calm down." Matty scoffs with an irritating chuckle. "James isn't going to let that asshole hurt him. Have you seen that guy? He could take two of Jeremy with his eyes closed!"

"Matthew! No! Jeremy is punching him in the side! He is going to hurt him!" I push my hands down against Matthew's hands, trying to break his hold. "James! James! Matty, please let me go!"

James' body has turned and is covering Jeremy's body entirely, rendering him immobile in what looks like some type of wrestling move. His muscles are bulging and the tendons in his neck are popping out through his struggle. Men have gathered around the fight, watching for now, but seem interested in what is going on. This is Jeremy's crowd, will they join in? Will they help him fight James?

"James!" I call out again, kicking my legs frantically.

His head snaps in my direction and I can see that he is seething. His body jerks forward as Jeremy tries to take this opportunity to break free. "Matthew, get her the hell out of here. Right no–"

His words are cut off as he is pummeled to the floor by a random, scruffy-bearded bar patron.

"Shit! James! Please no!" I screech, loud enough to strain my vocal cords.

Matthew finally legs go of me now that James seems to be in need of some help and runs to James' side, so I follow him and quickly position myself between Jeremy and James, who is now rolling around on the floor with the guy who knocked him over.