Giving them both an arrogant smirk, the preppy blond asked, “And if I don’t?”
Rather than answer the jerk, Trevor slid his eyes to Lexi’s. The pain reflected across her sweet face only added fuel to his already-raging fire.
Sensing he was about to lose his shit, Derek spoke up. “Oh, you’re gonna let her go,Rob.The only question is, do you plan to do it on your own, or do you need our help?”
The man’s gray-blue eyes shifted from Trevor’s to Derek’s and back again. After weighing his options, Rob made his first smart move since he’d walked into the place.
“Fine.” He released his hold on Lexi’s wrist with enough force, she stumbled back a couple steps.
Don’t kill him. Don’t kill him. Don’t kill him.
Straightening his shoulders, the jerk actually had the nerve to say, “You know, Lex. I don’t think Joe will be able to keep this place open very long if word got out about the poor customer service.” He looked at Trevor and Derek, then back to her. “Not to mention, the riffraff you’ve been letting in here.”
Trevor opened his mouth to tell the guy to go to hell, but Lexi beat him to it.
With a surprisingly strong and steady voice, she looked Rob straight in the eye. “Joe can hold his own just fine. As for the riffraff,you’rethe only one I see who fits that description. So why don’t you grab your coat and get the hell out before I call the police.”
“The police?” The jackass laughed, but Trevor saw the fear flashing behind his eyes. Turning his voice buttery-smooth, Rob then said, “Oh, come on, Lexi-Loo. You can’t really blame a guy for trying, can you? I mean, who wouldn’t be disappointed, getting turned down by a gorgeous, intelligent woman like yourself?”
“Layin’ it on a little thick aren’t ya, buddy?” Derek appeared bored.
Shooting D a glare, Rob made a show of checking his watch before smiling up at Lexi as if nothing had happened.
“As much as I’d love to continue this little chat, I have an appointment I can’t miss.” He pulled out his wallet and laid out just enough money to cover his drink.
“Oh, I think this gorgeous, intelligent woman has earned a nice tip today. Don’t you, Rob?” Trevor sounded casual, but the look he gave the other man was anything but.
Rob’s control slipped just a little as he shot daggers back at Trevor. “Right.”
He laid down two singles, adding a ten when Derek crossed his large arms and cleared his throat loudly.
Trevor stepped back just enough to let the jerk slide out of the booth. If looks could kill, both Trevor and Lexi would have dropped where they stood as Rob walked past them and walked out the door.
Without a word, Derek followed, standing at the diner’s entrance to make sure the dumbass left.
Trevor turned to check on Lexi. “Are you okay, angel?”
Holding her wrist, Lexi gave him a shaky nod. “I’m good.” She blew out a breath. “Thanks.”
Towering over her with his six-four frame, Trevor couldn’t keep from reaching for her. “May I?”
Lexi nodded, and he had to force himself to ignore the spark shooting through his fingertips as he took her small hand in his. He must have made some sort of noise when he saw the red marks on her wrist, because Lexi quickly tried to reassure him.
“It’s nothing, Trevor. I-I bruise really easily.”
A familiar sense of guilt and regret bubbled to the surface as long-buried emotions began to awaken. He’d only been a few feet away, and she’d still gotten hurt.
“This shouldn’t have happened,” he offered softly, his thumb barely caressing the tender skin. “I’m sorry.”
“Why?” Lexi snorted. “You didn’t do anything except try to help me. Youdidhelp me.” She turned to Derek who was walking back toward them. “You both did. Thank you.”
“He’s gone,” Derek announced. “For his sake, he better stay that way.”
Trevor looked down at the hand still in his. He needed to let her go before he did something stupid like pull her into his arms in front of all these people.
So after one final sweep of his thumb, he eased Lexi’s arm back down to her side, immediately missing the contact.
“I-I should get back to work.” Turning, she offered the customers and the young man working back in the kitchen an extra-big smile. “Everything’s fine now.” To those eating, she added, “Let me know when you’re ready for dessert. It’s on me, today.” Looking back up at Trevor, she spoke more quietly. “I’m really sorry about all this.”
