Rachel clenched her jaw and refused without even thinking.

    “Howard, stop dreaming. Do you really think that’s ever going to happen?”

    Howard smirked, shrugging like it was out of his hands. “Well, there’s nothing I can do. It’s not that I didn’t give you a chance. You just didn’t want it.”

    Jerry had already been fuming at Howard’s arrogance, and seeing that smug look pushed him over the

    edge.

    “So that’s it? You just want someone to kneel? Rachel sure as hell won’t, but I will.”

    He started to drop down, but Rachel stopped him cold. “Jerry! Who told you ito /ikneel to scum like him? If anyone should be on their knees here, it’s him in front of us.”

    The veins in Howard’s neck bulged with rage as he roared, “Rachel!”

    She lifted her chin with a mocking sneer. “What’s the matter, need your daddy ito /isave you?”

    Howard pointed at her and trembled with fury. “Fine. Fine! Rachel, keep running that mouth. I’ll make sure you learn what happens when you act tough. And when you lose, even if you beg me on your knees, I

    won’t let you off!”

    “You don’t need to let her off, because I can end you right now.”

    Rachel froze. She didn’t even need to look. She knew that voice too well.

    Her head turned instinctively, her eyes softening despite herself. He strolled in, looking half–awake, but

    his presence was impossible to ignore.

    Their eyes locked, and before she could stop herself, she whispered, “I thought you were asleep at the

    hotel.”

    Tyler came straight to her side, taking her hand in his. His palm was warm, wrapping around her cold fingers “The band packed up. You think I could keep sleeping after that?”

    Rachel smiled and let his warmth steady her. It was summer outside, but her hands felt ice–cold.

    The second Howard spotted Tyler, he tensed up like a cat backed into a corner.

    “Tyler! Always running to her rescue, huh? Why the hell are you everywhere I turn?”

    Tyler slipped an arm around Rachel, pulling her close. He red coldly at Howard.

    “Do you even hear yourself? If your girlfriend was getting attacked, would you stand in the back like a

    coward?”

    He didn’t even let Howard answer before continuing.

    “No, you wouldn’t. But then again, to you, women are disposable. With someone as selfish as you, bthere’s /bno way you’d ever stand up for one. No wonder none of them want you.”

    Tyler shook his head, sighing as if it were a tragedy.

    “Pathetic!”

    And that–pity–was the one thing Howard couldn’t stand, especiallying from Tyler.

    “Screw you, Tyler! You’re nothing! Yourpany’s about to go bankrupt, and when I see you next, you’ll be on your knees calling me your daddy! If I’m in a good mood, I’ll even throw you a bone or two.”