I stomp on the guy’s foot and try to climb over the bar, my panic making me frantic.Please no.
"JOSH!"
My bartender friend finally sees me and rushes to me. He grabs my flailing hands while shouting at the man and yanks me to the other side with him. My shirt becomes soaked with spilled alcohol and my jeans don't sit right anymore, but my wardrobe is the least of my worries.
When I scramble behind Josh, who's fuming and protective, I finally get a look at the ruckus I left behind.
A very large man with a leather cut and a big beard has the white-haired asshole by the throat. Cursing, I stomp my foot a little when I realize this is Jamie's protection detail. An MC member hauls the horrible man away, and finally I can breathe a little easier.
That was fucked. Why do I have such bad luck?
"Are you okay, hun?" Josh asks, bent at the knees so he can look into my eyes. "I'm sorry I didn't see you sooner. Shit."
"Fine," I mumble, avoiding eye contact with all the customers staring at me. "That sucked. Well, thank you for your help. I need to find my friend."
"Hold on," Josh stops me. "Are you hurt? I can get you some ice while I grab the manager."
Shaking my head, I decline. "I don't?—"
"Violet."Shit. Jamie leaps over the fucking bar top and takes Josh's place. He looks so angry, which only makes my trembling worse.Shoot shoot shoot."Where does it hurt?"
Blinking, I frown up at him. Unlike Josh, Jamie lifts my chin and runs his hands over my body. "I'm fine," I blurt, needing this to stop. As much as I love his concern and his touch, I need to find Cassidy. "Jamie, people are staring," I hiss, and realize Josh probably left to get the manager.
Jamie grunts and wraps an arm around my waist. Escorting me to the far corner, we leave the bar. He doesn't say a word as he makes a path for us. Cassidy jumps up when she sees us. "What the hell just happened over there?"
"Nothing," I say at the same time Jamie growls, "Let's go."
Cass and I exchange a look but don't fight my boyfriend as he guides us out of the club and to his car. Cassidy climbs into the back, and I follow.
"You're in trouble," Cass whispers as Jamie finishes buckling me into the back seat and closes the door.
Sighing, I drop my head on her shoulder. "He has people following me again."
Jamie opens his door and Cass murmurs, "That's not a bad thing."
No, it's not, I think to myself as Jamie drives us toward our apartment. My chest feels tighter and tighter the closer we get, but when he parks in front of the door, he sets some of my worries at ease. "Good night, Cass. I'll be keeping Violet tonight."
"Thank you," she says with forced cheer before turning to me with a slight cringe. "Good luck, bestie."
Then she's gone and rushes into our building. Jamie waits a moment to make sure she's safe, then pulls away from the curb. My ears are ringing. The ache of my scare, the stress, and loud music finally getting to me.
I just want to sleep. Hopefully the lecture Jamie has in store for me will wait.
His phone rings, startling me, but what really surprises me is Nate's voice that comes through the Bluetooth speakers."Is she okay?"
"She's fine. Bringing her to my place." Jamie's tone is flat, and his side profile is like stone.
There's some muffled cursing from Nate's line, but his voice comes through clear again. "Let us know if you need anything. Seriously. I'll keep my ringer on."
"Will do," Jamie replies and ends the call. It seems rude, but I'm not sure Jamie's in the mood to be buddies with anyone right now.
The final few minutes of the drive makes me sweat. When we finally arrive in his parking garage, I'm struck by the speed with which he jumps out, rounds the car, and ushers me out of the car. With a hand wrapped around me once again, he escorts me to the elevator.
I'm scared to breathe. His touch has been nothing but gentle, but there's a storm brewing that keeps me quiet. I'm afraid to pull my phone out.How many messages did I miss?
Jamie's apartment is bright when we walk in, confusing me just a bit. It's midnight. Why was he wide awake?
"Shoes off," he demands. I toe them off and continue moving with him as he marches us to his bathroom.
