Cal's jaw dropped. His dark eyes filled with horror. It can't be her. But there was no mistaking those curls. He clenched his fists. That little slut! She can throw herself at him? She can throw herself at this dirty, scrawny rat, and yet when I show the slightest bit of interest— Rose's tear-streaked face flashed before his eyes. Her quiet sobbing filled his ears. That's how she reacts to me! he thought disgustedly.
Something isn't right, Jack thought, a knot forming in his stomach. It's as if...He opened his eyes. And so it is.
Rose felt Jack's arms stiffen around her. A moment later, she realized he wasn't kissing her anymore. His lips were still pressed against hers; his tongue was still in her mouth. But he wasn't kissing her. She frowned and pulled away. "Jack, what's wr—"
The look on his face silenced her. Furious hatred burned in his blue eyes. She tried to take a step back, but his grip on her was like iron. "Don't," he said softly, pulling her closer.
"Jack—"
"Do you trust me?"
She stared at him in disbelief. "What? I—yes, of course I trust you."
"Then please just do what I tell you to," he whispered. "Keep your eyes on me and start walking when I do." He didn't believe for a second Cal would just let them walk out, but that wasn't going to stop him from trying. After all, he hadn't done anything yet besides stare at them.
"Jack, you're scaring me."
"I'm sorry, honey." He took a step back. She moved with him. "Don't be scared," he continued. "You've got nothing to be scared of." He locked eyes with Cal over her shoulder. "I won't let anything happen to you."
The intensity of Jack's glare snapped Cal out of his thoughts. That little bastard has the audacity to look me in the eye— "You!" he hissed, pointing a finger at Jack. "It's you!"
Rose's heart leapt into her throat. She gasped, her grip on Jack tightening. "It's okay," he said. "I've got you." She pressed her hand against his chest, signaling for him to keep walking. He took another step back, moving her with him.
Cal's eyes swept over Jack and landed on Rose. "And you!" he snarled, rushing toward them. His right hand was open, ready to grab her.
"Don't you even think about it," Jack said. His voice was low, but it cut like a razor. "Don't you even take another step."
Shocked, Cal paused. His hand was just inches from Rose's hair. "You say that as though there's something you can do to make me," he said, looking down his nose at Jack.
"And you say that as though I can't," Jack shot back. Rose began to tremble. He stroked her hair. "Don't worry. He's not gonna hurt you again."
Cal's face twisted into a sneer. "I'd like to see you try and stop me." In one quick motion, he grabbed Rose's hair and began trying to pull her toward him.
"No!" she screamed, twisting Jack's shirt in her hands. She dug her heels into the floor.
Cal let out a howl of rage and reached for her dress with his other hand. Jack spun around and shoved Rose behind him. There was a sickening ripping sound as the hair Cal held in his fist was ripped from her head. She screamed again and clutched the side of her head in pain.
Cal's hand formed a fist as Jack turned to face him again. Jack's eyes widened. His reflexes kicked in and he ducked down just as Cal's fist was about to collide with his face. It passed harmlessly over his head. Cal stared at him for a second. "What the hell—" His words morphed into a yell of surprise as Jack punched him in the stomach. Before he could react, Jack hit him again. He doubled over, gasping for air. A hollow pain shot through him. "You—"
"Jack, stop!" Rose grabbed Jack's arm as he prepared to hit him again.
His face was flushed. He was breathing heavily. "Rose, I—"
"Jack, please," she begged. "Please, let's just go." She opened his fist and flattened her palm against his. "Hitting him again will only make things worse."
Jack kissed her knuckles. The urge to hit Cal again was overwhelming. His blood pounded in his ears. His heart was racing. But she's right. He lowered their hands and slipped his fingers through hers. He looked over at Cal, who was still doubled over, clutching his stomach. "You ever come near her again and I'll kill you."
"Jack, don't." She began trying to pull him toward the back door.
He refused to budge. "I mean it. I'll make you wish you never met her."
Rose anxiously eyed the crowd that was forming. "Jack, we need to go." Please don't say anything else, she added silently. Please don't threaten him again.
Cal slowly drew himself up to his full height. "You're threatening me?" He laughed. "What, you got a few lucky shots in and now you think you can win against me? Is that it?" His gaze settled on Rose. His mouth curled slightly. "Or is it something—someone else, I mean, filling your puny little head with these delusions of grandeur?"
Rose threw her head back and glared at him defiantly. Go ahead and say whatever you want, she thought. It won't touch me at all.
Cal's mouth relaxed into a smirk as his eyes moved back to Jack. "I don't suppose you'll tell me how she was?"
Jack lunged for him, his fist in the air. "You son of a—"
Rose grabbed his arm with one hand and his shoulder with the other. "Jack, no!" she yelled. "That's what he wants." She pushed him back and was startled to feel him shaking. His chest heaved; his breathing was heavy and ragged. "I know how you feel," she said softly. "But it won't do any good. You'll just give him an excuse to have you arrested." Or worse.
Jack wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer. "Okay." He pressed his lips to the top of her head. "Let's go."
The crowd, Cal included, just stood there frozen and watched them go. It was only after the door swung shut behind them that someone spoke. Charles Cross stepped forward and, leaning in close to Cal's ear, asked, "What exactly just happened?"
Cal turned to face him so fast his neck popped. "What just happened?" he snarled. "I was assaulted by common street filth. That's what happened!" He grimaced and brushed his clothes off. Jack had only touched his shirt, but nevertheless the entire suit would have to be thrown out. Rose's words echoed in his head. Oh, Sweetpea, I don't need an excuse to have him arrested—or you, for that matter.