“But—”
“No ‘buts’, Sophia.You aren't going to get better without proper rest,” Indi insisted.
“I guess you're right.See you in a few days then, since I'm off the next three.”
“See you in a few days,” Indi told her before Sophia turned to go back the way she'd come.
She stepped through the door leading into the hallway, so intent on grabbing her bag and coat and leaving, that she didn't realize someone stuck their foot in to keep the door from closing.
“You were right.Indi's sending me home,” she told Rose.
“Get some rest and feel better,” Rose said, and the words were echoed by the other dancers.
Sophia walked down the hall to the employee entrance, completely unaware that someone was shadowing her steps.
Chapter Eleven
Axel
He was a glutton for punishment.He really was.After all, only a glutton would keep going to Elysium knowing he had to keep his distance.
He'd learned Sophia’s schedule over the last two weeks, and was headed to the club so he could watch her from the shadows.
Maybe he was a coward.As much as he wanted to be in Sophia's orbit, he still didn't want to piss Sinner off.Still, he kept thinking about what Ripper said about whether or not Sophia was worth it.
Growling, he roared down the street toward the club, passing Sophia's car at the end of the block.He found a place to park and made his way inside, expecting to see Sophia already on stage but one of the other dancers was there instead.
Curious, he strode to where Indi was and, instead of waiting for her to notice him, he spoke up.
“Hey, Indi.Is Sophia off tonight?”
“Hey, Axel.Yeah, but not by choice.She came in looking like death warmed over so I sent her home.She just left a few minutes ago.”
“Thanks.I think I'll go catch up to her and walk her to her car.It's parked at the end of the block.Not a good place to be if she's not feeling good.”
Since he knew she went out the employee entrance, he moved through the tables to the door leading to the employee area.
He nodded at Rose, who was just exiting the dressing room, before he reached the door leading outside.
He stepped out, turned in the direction Sophia's car was, and frowned.It was dimmer in this area, but he should have seen her walking down the block.
His steps were hurried as he left the club behind.If something had happened to her…
The sound of scuffling and whimpers from the side alley just ahead caught his attention and he rushed toward it.Stepping into the alley, he saw a man holding someone down.There was a flash of silver and he knew the guy had a knife.
“Hey, asshole!Get the fuck off them,” Axel said, and when he stepped forward, he realized the person on the ground was Sophia.
Rage filled him, and with a snarl, he jerked the man away, and slammed his fist in the asshole's face.
All he could see was the terror on Sophia's face as she'd been held down and his fists kept flying, pummeling the man beneath him.
“Axel!Axel, stop!”
Sophia's voice filtered through the rage and he paused his hits to look at her.
“I-if you don't s-stop, you're going t-to kill him.He's not worth it,” she said quietly.
The gentleness in her tone calmed him, the red haze of rage receded, and he realized she was right.
