Page 25 of Crave

I nodded and headed to the restroom. I washed my hands and repaired my lipstick. Some fresh air sounded like a good idea, since sweat dampened my skin. I made my way down the dark hall, opened the heavy door, and stepped into the private alley. I took a deep breath, wrinkling my nose at the scent of garbage, then widened my eyes.

A couple grunted as they wildly fucked by one of the dumpsters. I covered my mouth to quiet my gasp. “Sorry!” I muttered, stumbling back and retreating back into Red.

Oops. Guess I was staying inside. I turned and suddenly, a muscled, male body pressed against me.

“I’ve seen you watching all night.” The voice was rough and deep. It took me a few moments to register I didn’t know who was speaking. “I know what you want and I can give it to you.”

Uh, oh. I swallowed and reached for my professional tone. “No, thank you, I’m just the server,” I said lightly.

I tried to move away but he anchored my wrists in a strong grip, his whole body blocking me from my exit. “The wait staff indulges all the time. I’ll keep your secret.”

Temper and another emotion flared. “Not interested. I need you to let go of me now.”

His breath was hot against my ear, but it wasn’t sexy like Adam. This was fearful and threatening. When I cranked my head to the side, I caught a glimpse of his black and red mask covering his face. “After I give you what you want, bitch. And you’re gonna love it.”

Chapter Thirteen

Landon

Listen to Bad Idea, Right

by Olivia Rodrigo

The words crept over my skin like scurrying bugs, bringing out a wash of goosebumps.

In horror, I realized when I tried to fight back, he was much stronger, and his hands were tugging up my skirt. I went bonkers, opening my mouth to scream, tensing my muscles to try and throw him off when–

The pressure was ripped away and I gave a yelp, whipping around to bite and claw and punch with a frenzy, desperate to get away. But Max was already there, shoving the guy away so he stumbled and almost fell to the floor. Max panted, glancing at me, then the guy in the mask. “I’m going to kill you,” Max said coldly. “After I beat the shit out of you for touching her.”

The guy straightened and I saw a tiny smile curve his lips. “Do it and you’ll both be fired. Plus, I’ll sue the restaurant and ruin you.”

“You think I care?” Max went after him, getting in one good punch. The asshole’s head spun as Max connected with his jaw. I hoped he broke it; I craved to get in on the action of physical assault and make him pay. My fingers curled into fists and I was about to launch myself at him but the guy suddenly snapped back with an upper cut. Max stumbled and I grabbed Max to keep him from falling, and in a matter of seconds, the guy had disappeared.

Max roared and ran after him. I followed, struggling with a wild array of emotion after the awful experience. When I re-entered the lounge, half of the customers were already gone. I looked around for Max and the guy and reached for my phone. I needed to tell Rocco what was going on.

Fuck. My phone was locked up. I fought for focus as I looked around wildly, and then Max rushed back. “He’s gone. I lost him. Must’ve ran upstairs and out of the restaurant. Are you okay?”

I nodded, even though I was lying. “Y-yeah. It was just surprising. He was all over me so fast, I didn’t have time to think. I need to tell Rock. Can I get my phone?”

“God, Landon, you’re shaking.” The gentle care in his eyes made me shake harder, and then Max pulled me into his arms, holding me close. The familiarity of his embrace helped me catch my breath and for a few moments, I let him hold me, leaning into his strength until I regrouped. He stroked my back. “Baby, I’m so sorry this happened. I’m going to find him and tear him apart.”

I let out a half laugh. “Something tells me he’s not going to be found.”

“There are cameras. We’ll get him.”

“He wore a mask and he’s part of the inner circle. Probably thought all the wait staff was fair game. I need to talk to Rock,” I said again. I felt like I had to go to someone in authority who could explain how this happened during a work shift. It was fucked up. What if Max hadn’t been there to help me?

I shivered in dread and he held me closer. “I’m coming with you. We’re done here, come on.”

I followed him upstairs to Rock’s office, which was shut tight. Max knocked and after a grunt my boss opened it. “Shift’s not over for another twenty minutes,” he growled. “I swear to God, if anyone complains you’re fired.”

“Some asshole attacked her,” Max grit out. “She’s done.”

Rock paused, his gaze taking in my face and shaky body. “Ah, fuck. Come in. Tell me what happened.”

We both reported the incident. Rock wrote it up, then came downstairs to talk to the remaining customers but most of them had fled. Rock said a report was going to HR and he’d call the police if I wanted for an official investigation. I told him no. I didn’t want to deal with any of it and only wanted to go home. It was a while before Rock had everything he needed and promised an in-depth analysis, citing an incident like this had never happened in the past seven years he’d been working there.

Great. I was a record breaker for assault. I knew I’d never work the after-hour club after this, which pissed me off because Max had been right about the money. The tips were insane, and I hadn’t even found out what came in from the credit cards since we bolted before closing.

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