Chapter 8 13.33 % I moved before I could think - throwing myself between them . Even if it meant getting hit . At the last moment , Xander's fist swerved . It smashed into the ground beside me . He looked up , stunned , then heartbroken . " You'd protect him ? Not me ? " Behind me , Marcus gripped my arms , checking for injuries . " Natalie , are you okay ? I'm so sorry - I shouldn't have let it get this far . " Xander stood and wiped the blood from his lip with the back of his hand . " If you're really a man , Marcus , then quit hiding behind her , " he sneered . " Let's settle this . Winner gets the girl . " Marcus stepped beside me , took my hand in his , and met Xander's glare head - on . " She's not a prize . She's a person . And you treating her like one is exactly why she'll never come back to you . " " You had her for ten years , and all you did was break her . You lost her . That's on you . " Xander's face twisted , the words hitting too close to home . " No ! We were together for ten years . We had a child- He stopped . The words caught in his throat . Because the child ... was gone . And with her , maybe Natalie's forgiveness too . Just then , a soft cry pierced the silence . " Daddy ! " " Mommy ! " Chapter 8