“I’m not giving up yet,” she pulls back her glass and downs what is left.
“I need the bathroom,” I tell her.
Dana points them out to me and I get up and grab my purse. I don’t have to ask Dana to watch my drink, she’s already slotting a drink protector over the top.
She was spiked once when we were in college, luckily the guy who did it was too messed up to even remember who he’d done it too, but she ended up at the ER having her stomach pumped. Ever since then, no matter where we are, she uses that cover and does the same for me.
Following her directions I walk through a doorway and look for the bathroom sign, then head left, passing the men’s room first. I can still hear the music and chatter from the bar and the lights are brighter back here, but the ladies room is round another corner. I haven’t felt unsafe all night so I’m not all that concerned.
Until someone grabs my arm and spins me around, pushing my back against the wall. I open my mouth to scream then seehim.
What the hell? The moment of recognition and slight relaxing of my body goes out the window when I see his expression. What is this guys problem? He was annoyed this morning, irritated but cocky this afternoon, now he looks like a maniac.
“Let me go,” I try to pull my arm away and glare at him. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Why are you here?” he asks, leaning in close and putting his forearm up against the wall by my head.
“Let me go or I’ll scream.”
“Tell me why you’re here,” he repeats, but he releases my arm. He doesn’t step back though, keeping me pressed up against the wall. He isn’t touching me, but he might as well have his full weight against me the way he’s making me feel right now.
“I’m having drinks with my friend,” I rush out. Adrenalin is racing through my veins and my fight-or-flight response is kicking in. He may be Jesse’s friend, but I don’t know him and he has no damn right to put his hands on me. “This is a bar.”
“It’s my bar,” he growls.
That’s weird. I take a second to look down and notice he is wearing a leather vest too. There is a badge across his chest that says President. I’m not stupid, I’ve seen TV shows and movies about motorcycle clubs. President is a big deal.Holy crap.
“Are you following me? Who sent you?”
“Oh my god, are you insane?”
I finally get my wits about me and put my hands on his chest, pushing him back. He doesn’t move much but does take a smallstep away. His arm is still by my head. I go to move around him but he sidesteps, stopping me.
“Why on earth would I follow you? I didn’t even plan to go out tonight, my friend wanted to meet someone who comes here. I didn’t know this was where we were going until we pulled up outside.”
And why am I explaining this to him? Because he is scaring me. And this is the only way I can get myself out of the situation. That, or a knee to the balls. I go to move my leg but he moves out of the way.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
“You’ve cornered me in a dark hallway, you’re practically pinning me to a wall and demanding to know if I’m following you. Do you know how fucking deranged that is. You’re lucky I haven’t already kneed you in the balls, you absolute ass.”
I’m not usually one to curse but he’s bringing it out in me. Although ass isn’t exactly one of my finest insults. His brow lifts as he stares down at me. This man could do me serious harm and despite the bravado, I’m afraid.
He’s breathing hard as his eyes flick back and forth on mine, some of the rage is lifting. His eyes lower to my mouth and his lips part. What the hell?
“Can you please step back?”
“Not until you answer some questions.”
Someone comes around the hallway, and I look over his shoulder to call for help. It’s another man in a leather vest, when he sees us, he goes back to the bar. I’m on my own here. Until Dana comes looking for me.
“Did someone ask you to come here tonight, to see if I was here?”
“No, I already told you. This is the first time I’ve been out for over five months. I came here with my friend. Why are you asking me this? I only met you for the first time this morning. I have no idea who you are, I didn’t even know you were in this gang.”
His lip kicks up on one side. Oh really? That’s funny.
“So if I check your phone I wouldn’t see anything about me.”
