“Harass?” the man echoes, feigning innocence. “I’m simply?—”
“Save it,” I snap. “If you have something to discuss, you do it through the proper channels. Showing up unannounced andcornering him here at his place of work is not one of them. I know his rights, and ours, under the law and can have the full weight of the team’s lawyers raining down on you if you aren’t careful. Now, leave before I call security.”
The man’s smirk falters, but he doesn’t move right away. Instead, he shifts his weight, as if deciding whether I’m bluffing. My heart pounds, but I stand firm, determined not to let him see even a flicker of doubt.
Before I can say anything else, a voice cuts through the tense silence.
“Is there a problem here?”
I whirl around to find Ollie standing just a few feet away, his broad shoulders filling the space as if he was made to command it. His jet-black hair is slightly mussed from the cold, his jaw tight with barely contained irritation, and he’s rocking a huge shiner on his right eye, which he hadn’t told me about. He’s wearing a fitted leather jacket over a Renegades hoodie, and he looks every bit like the guy you don’t want to mess with. He. Is. Beautiful.
I could tap dance with absolute glee. I couldn’t have planned this if I tried. Perfect.
The man glances at Ollie, and I see his confidence waver.
“This doesn’t concern you,” the man says, though his voice lacks the same bravado.
Ollie steps closer, his eyes narrowing. “See, I think it does. Because from where I’m standing, it looks a lot like harassment.”
The man opens his mouth to respond, but Ollie doesn’t give him the chance.
“I don’t know who you are, and frankly, I don’t care,” Ollie says, his voice low and dangerous. “But you don’t come in here and intimidate people. Especially not them.” He jerks his head toward me and my dad. “So, I’m going to give you one chanceto walk out of here on your own. If you don’t, I’ll make sure you regret it.”
There’s something in his tone—calm but laced with steel—that makes even me shiver. Ollie points to his right eye. “The difference between us is that I’m okay with getting another one of these, cause I get paid to do it.” He narrows his eyes as he looks at the stranger. “Can you say the same?”
The man sputters, his faux arrogance slipping entirely now. “I-I was just leaving.”
“Good call,” Ollie says, his eyes locked on the man. He doesn’t move until the guy turns and walks briskly toward the exit, muttering under his breath.
As soon as the doors swing shut behind him, I exhale a giant breath of air.
“Are you okay?” Ollie asks, turning his full attention to me now.
I nod, though my knees feel a little weak. “Yeah. Totally under control.”
He raises an eyebrow, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. “Sure.”
I roll my eyes, but I can’t help the way my chest warms at his teasing. “Thank you for stepping in, though. He was?—”
“A jackass,” Ollie finishes for me, his expression softening as he glances at my dad. “Danny, are you alright?”
Dad nods, looking a little embarrassed. “I’m fine. That guy was?—”
“Not worth your time,” Ollie says firmly. “If he shows up again, let me know.”
I glance between them, my heart tugging at how effortlessly Ollie handled the situation, as well as how my dad’s eyes brighten from Ollie’s encouragement. Ollie looks so sure of himself, so solid, and for a moment, I let myself imagine what it would feel like to lean on him—not just in a crisis, but always.
“Thank you,” I say again, my voice softer now.
He looks down at me, his eyes holding mine for a beat longer than necessary. “Always,” he says simply.
“Danny!”
Ben’s voice cuts through the air, his tone jubilant at the sight of my father. If only he knew what had happened here a few minutes ago.
“Hey, Ben,” Dad calls out, waving his hand as Ben jogs his way.
“Good to see you back at work. I know we just got back and it’s your first day, but can I get a few minutes with you?” Ben turns my way and nods. “Hey, Anna. Molly said she’s been harassing you today to help get things organized for me coming home?”