“He assaulted someone. That man sustained a lot of damage. I need to—”
“Please,” Eri cut her off. “You don’t understand.”
“Amate,” Elias started, wrapping an arm around her waist. “It’s fine. Let them call if they have to.”
She looked over her shoulder at him. “It’s Saturday night. If they book you for assault, you won’t see a judge until Monday, and…”
“I’m fine with that,” he replied. “You don’t have to tell her.”
Elias had consciously decided to beat his ass. He would deal with the consequences of those actions, whatever they may be. It was worth it. He didn’t need her divulging something painful to a stranger in an attempt to keep him out of trouble.
Eri thought briefly before turning back to the other woman. “That man sexually assaulted me two years ago, and I have a restraining order against him. He wasn’t supposed to come near me. He cornered me, then grabbed me and…Elias was just protecting me, so please. Please don’t call the police.”
“I’m sorry that happened to you, and I can understand he was protecting you. If I don’t call the police, that means you can’t—”
“I know,” Eri cut her off. “I can’t report him for violating the restraining order.”
“Baby, you need to report it,” Elias told her.
“I don’t care about that right now. If it happens again, I’ll report it then. I promise. I just…I’m not letting you get arrested because of that asshole.”
“If you’re sure,” the woman replied. “I will let him know we decided not to call the police so as not to mess up anyone else’s night, and you’re free to go.”
Elias listened to Eri release a deep breath. “Thank you.”
The other woman nodded before turning and leading them out of the room. She walked into another, and he got a glimpse of that bastard sitting in a chair. Now conscious, he held ice to his face. It took everything he had not to start round two.
They had almost made it outside when a commotion behind them caught his attention, and he heard the female security guard.
“Sir, stop!”
Elias turned around to find the man headed towards them, and he pushed Eri behind him.
“Don’t think you won anything. See what you did to me? They might not want to call the police, but—”
“Get the fuck out of my face before I make you even worse.”
“Let’s see how you feel once I press charges.”
Elias raised a brow because it was just like a coward, who would prey on women, to want to call the police when they came face to face with someone they couldn’t intimidate.
“If they won’t call the police, I’ll do it myself,” he said, pulling his phone out.
“Do it,” Eri said, stepping around Elias. “And I’ll tell them you violated the restraining order, that you tried to isolate me, that you put your hands on me, that you threatened me, and you’ll be right back in that cage.”
He faltered in his movements before tsking and stomping off. Elias watched him go, forcing himself to remain rooted in place, and then Eri was pulling him through the building and out of thefront door. They weaved through vehicles, stopping only when they made it to his. She wrapped her arms around him, buried her face in his chest, and Elias held her tight.
Tears soaked his shirt, and he was pissed all over again, but he held it in. His priority then was comforting her, allowing her to release what she felt however she needed to, and after several minutes, she looked up at him. Big doe eyes wet with tears, and he’d never wanted to murder someone in his life the way he wanted to then.
“Take me home, please,” she requested, voice fragile.
He helped her into the car, and sent a text to his cousin as he went to the driver’s side. Then they were pulling out of the parking area and headed to her apartment. He wanted her to be as comfortable as possible, and he felt being in her space would do that.
As he drove, he made a mental note to message his mother and tell her she and Eri likely needed to reschedule, and then he’d message any appointments he had for Monday and push them back. He had no intention of leaving her until she was ready for him too.
32
“Is Eri feeling any better?” Nesiah asked as she set up for her next client.
