Page 64 of Volatile

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Chapter Seventeen

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One fucking week.

It’d been one fucking week, and he’d left her alone just like she wanted. He’d respected her wishes. But every time the phone rang and it wasn’t her, he wanted to throw the fucking thing at the wall.

The current moment was no exception. He stared at the screen, wondering if he should even bother. Max was calling, probably to give him an update for the past week. Jon still wanted her safe, even if she wanted nothing to do with him. And her working in that hole still made him feel like he’d swallowed metal shards.

He decided to pick up. Maybe it’d be good news. Maybe she’d quit.

“Hey, Max.”

“You might wanna get down here.”

His nerves spiked. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing I can’t handle if you can’t make it. Some fucker getting a little too up close and personal, making her uncomfortable. She’s outta here soon, and I have a feeling he’s not stopping when her shift does. Thought you’d wanna pop over and deal with it yourself.”

“Yeah, I do. Thanks. I’m on my way.”

He didn’t think twice before swiping his keys and getting in the car. The only thing filling his brain was the image of one of those assholes leaving his slime all over her. Hurting her. The blood pounded in his head. And if she didn’t want to see him right then? Too fucking bad.

He made it there faster than he thought possible, considering the stalled car blocking up half the interstate. As soon as he pulled into the lot, he could breathe again. He’d be to her soon.

Jon went inside and paid the twenty-dollar cover for a so-called fucking restaurant and scoped it out. A pretty blonde waitress who’d been sitting on some guy’s lap slid off and sashayed over to him, but he waved her off. Coming there was both the best and worst thing he could have done. Seeing how this place had deteriorated even further since his one and only visit years before soured his mouth. He knew about the back room and the girls who’d occupy it for the right price. And even though Ivy wasn’t one of them, someone else might not fucking know that.

He clenched his fists, not seeing her anywhere. How this place didn’t get shut down was beyond him. It was likely the area; no one wanted to deal with the cesspool.

“Jon.”

He swung around to find Max behind him. They shook hands. “Where is she?”

Max pointed to a narrow hall leading off by the bar. “Employee room. Her shift’s not over yet, but she musta went back there for somethin’.”

“And the guy?”

He nodded across the room to a man sitting solo at a tall table. “Little fucker’s over there, havin’ a few too many.” His head was down in his beer, and Jon couldn’t get a good look at him.

“Thanks, man.” Jon patted his shoulder. “I’ll take it from here. You can take off.”

After Max had left, Jon took a seat in the dimly-lit corner that’d give him a decent view of her coming out, but it’d also conceal him enough. He wasn’t there to make his presence known unless necessary; he just wanted to make sure she got out with no problems.

A petite redhead with the largest, perkiest tits he’d ever seen bounced in front of him, skirt up to her crotch. On closer inspection, he noticed her hair was actually pink.

“What can I get you, handsome?” She winked, holding up her pad and pencil.

“Nothing, thanks. Just waiting on a friend.”

“Lucky friend.” She took a step closer and eyed him over. “Lordy, you’re a fine one. Haven’t seen you around before.”

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