I don’t bother replying. Instead, I stalk toward the end of the bar without taking my eyes off my girl. I elbow through the crowd, laser focused on my target. When I reach her, I can’t get her behind me fast enough.

“I said get out,” I spit at Adley, gripping Maddie’s hand as I guide her backward toward the bar.

He smirks again, assessing me lazily like he doesn’t have a care in the world. “What are you? Her dad?” He looks past me then, directing his next comment at Maddie.

“Did you forget to tell Daddy we had a deal? I told you not to wander off last weekend. You still gotta pay up with that pussy.”

She tightens her grip on my hand, but it does nothing to stop my reaction.

“Tristan!” I holler to get his attention, pointing to Maddie and aggressively shoving her in his direction. “Get her behind the bar. Now.” I turn back to see the shock in her expression, but I have to make sure she’s safe.

I turn back and stride forward two steps, then wind up with a right hook that lands squarely on Adley’s temple. He stumbles back, crashing into a group of girls who have boyfriends that are apparently as protective as me.

Someone screams, “Fight!” as chaos ensues on all sides. Bodies move at once, some trying to get away from the commotion, others clamoring to be in the middle of the action. It’s impossible for me to move in any direction.

I glance back and see Maddie standing next to Tristan behind the bar. I also see Jake storming over toward the chaos I just caused.

Enough stools are now vacated that I can hop the bar, just barely clearing it as Jake comes to a halt in front of me.

“What the fuck is happening?” he demands as he grabs for his bullhorn.

I meet his enraged gaze with a surly stare. There’s not enough time or truth to explain anything now. Not with a fight breaking out on the floor.

Jake jumps onto the bar, knocking over drinks in the process. He sounds the horn for several seconds, and one of the other guys pauses the music. I move to stand next to Maddie, desperate to ensure she’s unharmed.

“You’re okay,” I murmur into her mass of blond waves as I slink one arm around her stomach and pull her into my side. She melts into my touch, but her breathing is ragged as she tries to keep her composure.

“I’ve got you,” I whisper, rubbing what I hope feels like comforting circles along her hip. We’re both laser focused on the man standing on top of the bar, commanding everyone’s attention.

“What the fuck do ya’ll think you’re doing starting a fight in my bar?”