Chapter 105

Summer’s POV

I felt Jared’s hand settle gently on my hip—warm, steady, possessive—and I swear I could hear my heart doing somersaults. Perfect timing, right? Because of course Callum chose *now* to mouth off. “Found yourself another abusive asshole to put you in place, Summer?” he sneered, his voice dripping with that smug asshole energy.

Jared pivoted around me faster than a Tasmanian devil on espresso. Dude was ready to pounce—his posture practically screamed *ass-kick incoming*. I loved that he’d defend me with his life. Also, I did *not* want him to end up in jail for assault. Between lawyer fees and bail, I’d rather buy a unicorn this week. Plus, me witnessing Jared beat the crap out of someone would probably trigger all my buried trauma, and nobody needed that re-run.

So I shoved myself between them, elbows out, looking like an extremely determined bouncer. My hands latched onto Jared’s biceps—not exactly the time to admire that defined muscle—but yeah