The scream was out before she could stop it, and the next thing she knew, it was pure chaos all around her.
Connor quickly ushered her out of the way before trying to get between Axel and Bryce.
Fucking Bryce.
Bryce, who was currently on the ground with Axel hauling him back up just so he could punch him again.
“Axel!” Connor shouted, but Axel wasn’t listening. “That’s enough!”
“Who the hell are you calling trash?” Axel demanded as he hit Bryce again.
Thankfully, Walker ran over, and it took both him and Connor to pull Axel away. Bryce was on the ground looking more than a little rough and confused.
No one helped him to his feet.
“Walker, get Axel out of here,” Connor snapped, before turning to face Maisie. His expression was hard, but he let out a long breath before he spoke to her. “Are you alright?”
All she could do was nod.
“Let’s take this to the kitchen so I can get this asshole some ice.” He hesitated for a moment before reaching down and hauling Bryce to his feet. Then he grabbed his arm and all but dragged him away.
Maisie stood there, shaking.
“Hey,” Harlow said quietly as she stepped closer. “Are you going to be okay? That was a little intense.”
“I still don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know what Bryce is even doing here or how he found me.”
“Is that his name?” she asked. “He showed up here a little while ago. I was walking across the parking lot and he called out to me and demanded to know where you were. He wouldn’t tell me who he was, but there was no way I could have gotten in here before him. I’m so sorry.” Then she paused. “Um…who exactly is he?”
This wasn’t the time to get into the whole thing, so all she said was, “Someone I desperately want nothing to do with.”
Luckily, Harlow didn’t push.
“Do you want me to go with you?” she asked. “I mean, I’m guessing you’re going to follow Connor and get rid of this guy, right?”
“I am, but…I need to do this alone.” Forcing herself to smile at Harlow, she added, “But thank you.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“I left my tablet over on one of the tables over there. It has all the information about where all the furniture goes. You know, if anyone asks.”
“I’ll take care of it.” And before she knew it, Harlow was hugging her. “Whatever’s going on, I’m sorry.” When she pulled back, she offered a small smile. “And just know that I’m here if you need someone to talk to.”
“Thanks, Harlow. I appreciate that.” And with a steadying breath, Maisie slowly made her way across the massive lobby toward the kitchen. What she really wanted was to run after Axel and make sure he was okay, but this situation had to be dealt with.
In the kitchen, she found Connor standing against the island with his arms crossed and Bryce sitting on a stool holding an ice pack to his face.
And Axel.
Quietly, she walked over and stood next to Connor.
“What are you doing here, Bryce?” she demanded, seriously impressed at how calm she sounded, but her eyes actually hurt from not looking at Axel.
“I came to put an end to this nonsense,” he replied defiantly. “You and I both know this is all just a game to you, and you’re wasting everyone’s time. We’re getting married, and I’m tired of waiting around for you to get your ass home. And so are your parents. I had dinner with them last night, and we started planning the wedding. So why don’t you be an obedient little thing so we can go home?”
Beside her, Connor straightened, and she put her hand on his arm to keep him from doing anything.
“I’m not going anywhere,” she stated. “I’m not marrying you. I was never going to marry you. I would rather live on the street than marry you.”
