“What are you doing here?” I send a glare toward the brothers.
They both take a step back. “Needed to talk.”
Lev’s father groans, rolling over on the ground. I want to kick him for good measure, but I restrain myself because I see my Lev pulling open the lobby door. Her eyes widen at the sight in front of her.
“Dad?” Lev rushes over to where we’re all standing. His only response is another groan as he rolls over. “What is going on?” Lev’s eyes are still wide.
“Everything is fine.” I reach for her, pulling her into me.
“Should I call the police?” Johnny asks.
“No!” Kate snaps.
“Yes!” Tom says from the floor.
“He’s getting blood on the floor.” Paul points out the obvious. His expression is one of disgust.
“I think we need to call your lawyer,” Kate .
“Probably a good idea,” my dad adds.
“A lawyer.” Lev's head rests against my chest. “Oh my God.” Her whole body goes rigid in my hold. I can feel the fear and embarrassment coursing through her at the realization of what took place.
"Everything is going to be okay," I try to reassure her, but I can tell she is starting to freak out. No sooner do the words leave my mouth than her mother comes walking through the doors. Fuck me.
This keeps getting worse. I need to get Lev out of here before she does what I fear most in this whole fucking world.
Run.
19
LEV
How did this go from one of the most perfect days to the worst? I glance around the lobby to where Eros's parents are, then over to Kate, who has a phone pressed to her ear, her face etched with worry. They have all been so good to me, and I brought this right to their front door.
My parents and the Caldwell brothers are speaking to the police. I had begged my mother to not call them, but after she demanded money for a payout to not press charges and Eros told her to get fucked, she called the police. Sometimes I can’t help but wonder how the hell I am even related to these people. I thought stealing from their own daughter was the lowest, most hurtful thing they could do to me, but I was wrong. Them pulling this shit on Eros takes that to a whole other level.
“Honey, are you okay?” Polly asks again. Eros is sitting on the stairs with two police officers.
“Not really,” I admit. Is he going to go to jail? How is this going to affect his career? Eros is known as one of the most stand-up men in the city. He is one of the good ones. I’ve learned that overthe past weeks. People always gush over him. Now I've gone and ruined that. Hurt the one man that has ever been good to me.
“I promise. It’s fine,” Polly tries to reassure me.
“Eros can handle this,” his dad adds.
They are, of course, being kind. Both of them are the sweetest people on the freaking planet. I'm sure they're tempted to yell at me. Polly told me that I'm the only girl her son has ever spoken about in a romantic manner. That had me swooning. Now I think that is playing against me.
“Finally,” Kate says loudly. It echoes off the walls. A woman in a fancy suit and her hair held back in a tight bun comes through the lobby doors. Her expression is intense and kind of scary. She’s givingfuck around and find outvibes.
Great, more people to bear witness to this mess. A handful of people from the offices upstairs already got eyefuls. My phone vibrates again in my pocket. I pull it out and see it’s Gabby calling me for the third time. I don’t answer it. I would, but I really don’t want to speak to her in front of people. I’m on the verge of tears, and I never cry.
My phone goes off again, but this time it’s a text.
Gabby:What the hell is going on?!
Before I can respond, a video comes through. I see my father and Eros. Despite my reluctance, I press play and witness Eros striking my father in the face. How does she have this?
Me:Where did you get this?