Just as his fingers were about to touch my shoulder, the sharp sound of clinking glass echoed down the hallway. Liam appeared around the corner, carrying a tray stacked with cocktails, moving fast. As he passed Silvio, the edge of the tray slammed hard into Silvio's elbow.
Four or five drinks in various colors flew through the air and splashed all over Silvio. Ice cubes bounced across the floor, rolling everywhere. A blue cocktail landed right on his crotch, soaking through a massive wet patch.
"Fuck!" Silvio looked down at his ruined clothes, teeth clenched. "Liam! You got eyes in your ass?"
"Oh my God, sir, I'm so sorry!" Liam bent down in a panic, fumbling to pick up the broken glass while shooting me a quick look.
The message was clear: get out of here.
I didn't hesitate. While Silvio cursed and yanked at his shirt, I slipped past him and hurried down the hallway toward the dressing room. Behind me, Silvio's swearing mixed with Liam's constant apologies, but I didn't look back. Not until the dressing room door closed behind me did I finally let out a breath.
I slid down against a locker until I hit the floor, covering my face with my hands.
Ever since what happened when I was thirteen, I'd felt sick and terrified whenever men looked at me that way. I thought working as a stripper would've cured me of that by now.
But my fingers were shaking. My whole hand was shaking, my arm, my shoulder. I took several deep breaths before I could stop my body from trembling.
I don't know how long I sat there before someone knocked softly on the door.
"It's me." Liam's voice came from outside.
I wiped my eyes and opened the door. Liam stood there holding a clean T-shirt and sweatpants—his own spare clothes.
"Put these on." He handed them over, eyes fixed on the hallway floor, avoiding my direction. "You can't wear that dress anymore."
I took the clothes. Liam's T-shirt was at least three sizes too big, hanging on me like a dress.
But it helped more than he knew.
I'd been dragged here with almost nothing of my own. Every other outfit in this club was practically naked. Compared to those exhibitionist costumes and that dress covered in God knows what, this T-shirt was a godsend.
"Thank you." My voice was full of gratitude.
Liam came in and sat on the bench nearby, hands braced on his knees, head down. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting a dull glow on his brown hair.
"Silvio won't let this go." His voice was low. "Casey wasn't the first. Before her, at least three other girls were assaulted by him. Not one of them fought back. Not one of them said a word."
"I know."
I looked at his hunched shoulders, a sour feeling rising in my chest. In this godforsaken place, he was the only person willing to risk standing up for me. I stepped closer, standing in front of him.
"Silvio was furious earlier. Did he dock your pay?"
Liam glanced up at me and shrugged.
"He didn't dock my pay. He just assigned me to clean the bathrooms for a month."
I frowned. This was my fault. I couldn't let him take this humiliating punishment for me. "That's not fair. I'll talk to the manager tomorrow. I'll do the month myself."
Liam immediately shook his head. "You can't do that job. He specifically assigned me to the men's room. Every night it's full of drunk assholes. It's too dangerous for you to go in there."
He was always thinking about my safety. My eyes burned.
"Liam, thank you. I don't know how to tell you how grateful I am."
Liam opened his mouth, like he wanted to say something, but inthe end, he just sighed. He stood and headed for the door, then stopped.
"You don't need to thank me. I wanted to do it. Just remember—if Silvio does anything to you, you tell me."
