I pull it away from her, stopping her body with my own. “You’ve had enough.”

“No—I—”

“You—” I grip her from around her tiny chin, forcing her eyes up on mine. “Have had enough.” She’s annoying me because while I should be watching Poppy, her drunk stupor has me distracted. Yeah, Ruby is hot. Yeah, I will enjoy leaving my marks on her any time I get, and yes, I know how fucked up I am because I took her virginity fully knowing that the girl could end up being a grade-A clinger, but right now, I don’t want to deal with her.

Her frown dissolves and a slow curl of a smile touches the corner of her lip as she looks around my body. “Are you sure you want to boss me around?” Whatever the fuck she’s looking at has her feeling bold. “This is my cousin.” She leans around me and drags the body of whoever he is down the step where she’s standing. He has blond curly hair, tanned skin, and a build that honestly is unimpressive.

“Am I supposed to be scared?” I ask her, not bothering to pay him any attention.

“Yeah, ahhh… You’re on your own…” And even though I don’t know him, he clearly knows me. The boy leans in, kissing her on the cheek and disappearing through the sea of people. I can see out of the corner of my eye the times he looks back to me but carries on doing what he’s doing.

“What the fuck?” Ruby spins around, following her cousin. “He’s usually so protective over me.”

I shove her out of the way. “Just so you know…” I cock my head to the side and trace my eyes all over her body. From her face, down to her tits, past her semi-exposed belly, and down her legs, before coming back up and meeting her at eye level. “I’m not here for you.” Her smile falls slightly, and I carry on through the bed of people, needing to get to Poppy. When I look back to the spot I saw Poppy moments ago, she’s gone, and Betty has her tongue down some idiot’s throat.

I take heavy steps toward the tree, grabbing the guy’s shirt from his collar and shoving him backward and off Betty.

“What the fuck, man?” He runs his hand over his hair.

Betty’s eyes come to mine. “Oh, hey.”

“Where’s Poppy?”

Her eyes dart over my shoulder as she uncrosses her legs while shoving her skirt back down. I don’t care for Betty much, but she and Ruby are basically sisters, so Victor did tell me that I was to watch out for her too. Not to the extent that I go out of my way, but at least if she looks distressed. Hard pass and probably won’t do it, but whatever.