Because what did happen was chaos. Then again, I was learning that’s what happened when Cross’ brother joined the mix, and as I was noting Harper’s feared response to me, there was a commotion to the side. People were talking. Conversations were loud. A couple shouts, and then Blaise arrived in a rush. He was a force, like a pin being taken to a balloon, and at his presence, Harper was pulled out of his trance.

His eyes went feral—it was eerie to see it in someone else—and he growled. He lunged for Blaise, actually lunged.

“You motherfucker!” His hands were up, going for Blaise’s throat.

Someone knocked him around. Their body pushed in, giving him a hard hit to the side, and as Harper caught himself, rubbing at his face, he looked. Another snarl started to form. At this point, his frat brothers had moved to form half a circle, but they weren’t engaging.

I thought they would. That was something I would wonder about later, too. If it would’ve been a fight between us and Harper’s frat, but Blaise showed up, and his presence flipped everything upside down.

That body who had stepped in to block Harper? That was Zeke, and he was standing in front of his best friend, his hands in fists, and he was staring down at Harper like he was a bull getting ready to charge.

“You fucking kidding me?” Admonishment from Harper.

Zeke’s nostrils were flaring. His neck was locked and getting red. “You tried to throw me out of the house.”

Harper snapped upright. His gaze went over Zeke’s shoulder to Blaise, then scanned the rest of us and he looked at his friends. He turned back, losing some of his fight. His hand fell from his face. “Zeke. It was a conflict of interest. Even you have to admit that. I mean, look.” He gestured to Blaise. “Your best friend wants to ruin my life.”

Blaise smirked. “Because you make it so easy. Keep being a douche, and I’ll continue trying to ruin you.”

“Shut the fuck up!”

Blaise rolled his eyes. “I made a promise, just seeing that promise out.” He put a hand on Zeke’s shoulder and walked around him, taking point. His head angled down, getting in Harper’s face. “Look around you, bro. None of your guys are backing you against Zeke. Think on that.” He tapped the side of his head, and he reached forward.

We saw it happen.

Cross clenched his jaw. I tightened my grip on my knife.

And then, in slow motion, Blaise tapped the side of Harper’s head with his finger. And his trademark smirk appeared. “Get it?”

I checked.

Zeke looked shocked, his eyes wide and his mouth opened a small bit, then his gaze snapped forward to Harper.

I felt Jordan moving in behind me.

Shit.