“We gotta go,” Willow grabs me, shock on her face, “Now.”
I’m cradling my throbbing hand when Willow hustles me out the door, only to run right into Malakai and Sebastian.
Chapter Forty-three
“I think it’s broken!” Olivia cries.
“Shut up, Olivia!” Willow hisses, bundling her friend in her arms as she gives us a smile that I’m sure is supposed to be innocent.
Watery eyes meet mine, her hand clutched to her chest, “I don’t want to go to jail.”
“What the fuck is going on?” I demand, reaching for my wife who comes willingly. If that doesn’t puff out my fucking chest then I don’t know what will.
I take her hand in mine, gently removing her fingers to see bruising on her knuckles, the swelling making me pause. “What did you do?”
“We gotta go,” Willow rushes, “Now.”
“What. Happened?” Sebastian demands.
I keep Olivia close and when Willow opens her mouth to talk, the door to the women’s bathroom opens and Regina storms out, looking a little less put together than when I last saw her. Makeup smudgesbeneath her eyes and that’s blood trickling from a small cut on her bottom lip.
“She assaulted me!” Regina accuses loudly, drawing the attention of some lingering guests in the hall. “Call security! I want to file a report!”
“She tried to attack me,” Olivia whispers to me, turning her back on Regina. “I didn’t mean to.”
I place a palm on her back, offering her some silent comfort.
“Did you see anything, Willow?” I ask.
Willow’s wide eyes meet mine, “Um. No. I didn’t see anything.”
“What!?” Regina screams, “You saw it all.”
“No,” Willow shakes her head, “I didn’t see anything. Olivia wasn’t even in the bathroom.”
“That’s right,” Sebastian agrees, “She was with me.”
“What!?” Regina hisses, “No, she wasn’t.”
“Have you had a bit too much to drink, Regina?” I ask. “Should I call someone to collect you?”
“What?” She hisses and lunges forward as if to grab Olivia.
I move her back quickly, shoving her behind me.
“I don’t give a fuck who the fuck you are,” I warn, “Come near her and I will end you.”
Regina stops dead and Sebastian takes her arm. “Time for you to leave.”
“She attacked me!” She screams, “She assaultedme!”
“Everyone thinks you’re lying, Regina.” Sebastiantells her lazily, starting to drag her out, “Time to leave.”
She fights and struggles the whole time until the ruckus draws more attention, including that of some of the men here I know work with her father. She stops screaming when she sees them but doesn’t cease her fight to get away from Sebastian. He’ll have her gone so I turn back to Olivia, her eyes wide.
“I didn’t mean to hit her.” She tells me, “I’m sorry. I just… she…”
“Shh,” I soothe, curling a finger under her chin, “Let me see your hand.”
