But as I go to open the bathroom door, a hand closes around my wrist. I spin around, wanting so badly to see Myles’s face—but it’s not him. It takes me a second to register the blond hair, the nice suit…
“Shane?”
“Hey, you.” He pulls me away from the bathroom, into the shadowy corridor.
“What are you… How did you…”
“Did you get the roses? I never heard from you.”
“I… Yes.” I glance past him toward the bar, feeling my stomach knot. If Myles sees me with him down here—God, after Stefan, I don’t want him to think—
“You know, I spent alotof money taking you out to dinner.”
I turn my attention back to Shane, recoiling at the potent smell of whiskey on his breath. The knot in my stomach tightens and twists, and I realize that Myles isn’t the one I need to worry about right now.
“Well, yes, I know,” I say, attempting a placating tone. Sweat prickles along my brow as I fumble for my purse. “And I had a lovely time, really, but—”
“Did you?” His hand catches mine, pulling it to his mouth, and panic rushes up my spine. “Maybe you shouldshowme how much you enjoyed it.”
I try to look for someone to help me, but he steps closer, crowding my vision. “Shane—”
“I think you owe me a little something, Cat,” he slurs, his eyes glinting with intent.
My heart slams against my ribcage and I push him away. “Shane, stop.” I try to slip past him, but he pins me back against the wall.
Ohno. There is no way in hell this is happening again.
Adrenaline surges through my bloodstream and I bring my knee up, hard, right into his balls.
“Argh!” Shane doubles over.
That’s right, motherfucker. This is what you deserve.
I raise my knee to strike him again, but he stumbles back and Myles comes into view.
“Get the fuck away from her!”
Gasping in a breath, I sag against the wall and press my eyes shut, trying to calm my stampeding pulse.
“I wasn’t doing anything wrong, man. She knows me—”
There’s a loud crash and when I dare to open my eyes, Myles is holding Shane against the opposite wall with one hand at his throat.
“Yes,” I yell, finding my voice. “I know you’re an asshole!”
Shane opens his mouth to protest, trying to duck away. But Myles pins him back in place, cocking his arm to punch him. Despite being nuclear with rage, Myles somehow regains control.
“Don’t go near her again,” he growls, “or you won’t live to talk about it.”
Cory appears in the corridor, glancing between the three of us. He takes me by the shoulders, asking, “What happened?” But I can’t answer. I’m shaking with shock.
“He was all over Cat,” Myles spits, not taking his eyes off Shane. “Get him out of here before I kill him.”
Cory’s face turns murderous and he lunges at Shane. His hand tightens into a fist on his collar, then he drags him out through the bar.
Myles turns, face flushed, eyes wide with worry. “Are you okay?” He reaches a hand toward me, then hesitates, and I burst into tears. “Oh, hey.” He pulls me into his arms, against his chest, as tears stream silently down my face. “It’s okay,” he says, rubbing my back. “It’s okay.”
He steps back and a sob escapes me at the physical loss of him, but he scoops me up into his arms. I press my face into his shoulder as he carries me down the corridor, kicking the back door open, out into the darkness of the alley. He sinks down onto a pile of pallets with me across his lap, and presses a kiss to my forehead. “It’s okay, baby,” he murmurs.
