The whiskey burned as it went down my throat, but at least it calmed my nerves. Sitting at the bar, I was grateful that Annette had talked me into coming. Otherwise, I would have stayed home, just worrying about Abby. Annette was dancing with Elias, and I could see the other girls watching her with envy, especially the ones he usually flirted with. I can't say I blame them.
"Abel."
I smiled as I saw Nova approaching, trying to appear friendly, even though I wasn't in the mood. I didn't understand why I was so worried about Abby. I really shouldn't be. She chose to go out with her abusive boyfriend, so it shouldn't concern me.
"Want to dance?"
Seeing the deviant smirk on her face made me grin. I'm sure she's far from innocent.
I noticed Nick walking in and immediately checked to see if Abby was with him, but I felt disappointed when she wasn't.
"Excuse me, Nova." I saw her eyes drop to the ground, and a frown quickly formed on her face. I felt bad for hurting her feelings.
She nodded.
I moved toward Nick's table, where he sat with two other cocky-looking guys. "Where's Abby?"
He rolled his eyes at me and raised an eyebrow. "What, are you her bodyguard?"
"Something like that."
"Well, I don't know. We got into an argument, and she took off."
"And you didn't bother to go find her?" My face was turning red. I had no idea if she was safe.
He shrugged. "I guess that's your job, Superman."
His friends around the table laughed.
"If I find out that you hurt her, you'll answer to me."
Nick chuckled. "I think you're outnumbered, tough guy."
"I can take all three of you by myself, and I'll be the last man standing, I promise." I laughed; they didn't realize how badly they were outmatched. I could beat all three of them with one hand tied behind my back.
Nick stood up.
My hands automatically shoved him back down. I didn't care where I was; even in this bar, I was ready to fight him.
"Hey, hey," I heard Abby's sweet but quiet voice, approaching behind me. She rubs my back.
Turning around I analyzed her face and noticed fresh red marks. Bruises.
She grabbed my arm. I wasn't entirely sure if she came to the bar to see me or him, and that thought aggravated me.
"What happened this time?" I gently brushed my hand against her smooth cheek.
Like so many times before, her eyes dropped to the ground. I regretted asking; I already knew the answer, and I was sure she wouldn't answer me, especially in front of him.
"Why don't you concern yourself with somebody else's girlfriend and leave mine alone?" Nick barked at me.
I grabbed the lowlife by his shirt, lifted him into the air, and threw him forcefully to the ground.
"Come on, Nick, you like to hit girls. Stand up and hit me, or are you too much of a coward?"
I watched as one of his friends helped him up from the ground; his angry expression never left mine.
"Abel, just come on; it doesn't matter." Abby's voice drew my attention back to her, and I noticed tears welling in her eyes. I knew she was about to cry.
"Just get the tramp out of here." That was one of my pet peeves; I hated seeing women called negative names, and the stupid, cocky look on his face only fueled my anger.
In that moment, I punched him in the lip and felt the wet, sticky blood on my hand.
That was when I realized the others in the bar were starting to take notice of the situation. It was becoming a scene, a dramatic bar fight to watch.
That's when I heard the rushing of feet. I knew exactly who it was behind me. I felt the strong grip of Elias's hand on my arm.
"Are we good here?" I heard the deep voice of the bodyguard, who was right behind Elias.
"Not even close," Nick said, walking past me and bumping his shoulder into mine.
I turned to follow him, but Elias gripped my arm tighter. "Let it go, Abel."