Brad’s expression turns vicious, cruel. It falters between a grin and a snarl, like a feral dog with a bone. “I’ll say it one moretime: that girl isn’t yours. So get the f**k off me.” His voice is dripping with entitlement. I catch Mia flinching at his words, her body shaking harder against mine. Don’t let go, her blue eyes beg me. Please, whatever you do, just don’t let him touch me. I decide then and there that I won’t. “You’re mistaken, Mr. Baldwin.” My grip tightens, just enough to draw another wince out of Brad. I’m not looking to breakbones yet, but that can change. “Mia Winters is with me now.” “Mia Winters?” Brad barks out a laugh. “So that’s what you went with? Your great-grandmother’s maiden f*****g name? Ishould have known you’d do something like that. You

