"Yours?" Ss Myers let out a short, mockingugh. "So what''s in it, then?"


    Tattoo Guy shrugged, totally unfazed. "Why do you care? It''s my bag, I just like it, alright?"


    He turned to leave, acting like nothing was wrong.


    That''s when Calliope Jewell strode up behind him, grabbed the bag right out of his hand, and with a swift sweep of her leg, sent him crashing down onto the


    sidewalk.


    People nearby gasped and scattered back, eyes wide. Every gaze snapped to Calliope.


    "Whoa, did you see that?"


    "Who is she? She''s amazing!"


    "She got the bag back!"


    Calliope carried the bag over to Blythe White, who was clinging to Ss''s arm and putting on her best damsel-in-distress act.


    Calliope shot her a nce, then coolly handed the bag over, practically prying Blythe off Ss as she did.


    "Here you go, ma''am. Your bag," Calliope said, her tone dering, ''back off, he''s mine.''


    "And for the record, this man is my husband. So, if you don''t mind, could you not grab onto him?"


    She stepped protectively between Blythe and Ss and gave Blythe a once-over, her expression unreadable.


    Blythe opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She''d expected Calliope to get jealous, maybe even blow up since Ss had jumped in to help her. She''d hoped to stir up some drama between them.


    But instead, Calliope had just jumped right in, literally putting herself between them. Now Blythe felt more than a little thrown off.


    “Thanks,” she managed, forcing a smile as onlookers continued to gawk.


    "So they''re married?"


    "Both of them just helped a stranger. That''s gutsy!"


    "Such a good-looking couple, and they''re good people too!"


    "Didn''t expect that at all!"


    The crowd buzzed withmentary.


    Just then, Tattoo Guy staggered to his feet, looking ready for round two.


    Before anyone could warn them, Ss spun around and delivered a perfect kick, sending the guy sprawling again.


    "Callie, you okay?" Ss asked, immediately turning to check on Calliope.


    She nodded. "I''m fine."


    Then she turned to Blythe. "And you, miss? Are you alright?"


    "I''m fine," Blythe answered, her smile a little strained. Even she could tell Calliope was determined to keep Ss at a distance from her. Clearly, Calliope was protective, and not about to let Blythe get close.


    "d to hear it," Calliope replied briskly. "If that''s all, we''ll be going."


    Without another word, she took Ss''s hand and led him away, clearly uninterested in chatting further.


    Ss didn''t look back, either. With


    Blythe safe, her bag returned, and security now dealing with the


    ve


    ?Pon et


    tattooed troublemaker, he had no reason to stick around. He


    remembered Blythe helping him


    years ago, but the


    t he''d


    seen her hanging out with Oliver


    Myers, any goodwill had evaporated.


    Ss''s big hand wrapped warmly around Calliope''s as they walked away through the dispersing crowd.


    Blythe watched them go, a flicker of disappointment in her eyes. She hadn''t managed toe between them if anything, they''d grown closer. And just like that, Ss left her standing there, out of their story.