Before and After Part 3

James hesitated, his smirk fading briefly before he pulled himself together. He knew how strong Asher was, and if a fight broke out, there was no chance they'd walk away unscathed.

Worse, it would ruin their reputation even further.

His group, however, wasn't as composed. One of the bigger guys who had just joined them stepped forward, fists clenched and ready for a fight.

"You think you're untouchable just because you've got a fancy car and a girl on your arm?" the thug sneered, stepping up to Asher and challenging him with a cold, hostile glare.

"I heard you're good at fighting, but so am I. You're lucky I was on house arrest before. Otherwise, I would've taken you and that black hound together."

Lucy, still holding Asher's arm, let out a small laugh, light and sweet. She tilted her head, looking up at him as if amused by the situation. She was done pretending to be scared. She had tried, but it wasn't her style.