Page 76 of Rock

Lyla could laugh it off in front of Jackson, but she was putting up a front. She wasn’t particularly excited about going to the bathroom alone either, but she needed to get over herself. It could be months before anyone found Carl. She couldn’t spend her entire life in fear.

There was no one in the short hallway, and she entered the bathroom to find no one in there either. Two stalls. She was alone. She peed, washed her hands, and was just about to reach for the door when it suddenly opened.

It was not a woman. It was the same guy who had attacked her the other night. She assumed it was Carl, but she had no idea. She really didn’t know what Carl looked like. Her mouth opened, instinct telling her to scream, but she wasn’t fast enough. The man rushed into the room, grabbed her, slammed her against the wall, and covered her mouth.

Fear climbed up her spine as her eyes went wide. She couldn’t breathe. He was pinching her nose. Panic made her struggle as much as possible, but he pinned her hard against the wall with his entire body.

His face was inches from hers when he hissed, “Where the fuck is my stuff, bitch?”

She shook her head as much as she could. She had no idea what the fuck stuff he was looking for. Money? Drugs? She didn’t know.

He pulled out a knife and held it in front of her face. “Don’t fuck with me, bitch.”

She stiffened, eyes wider, fear making her vision blurry.

“If you make a sound, I will slit your throat. Do you understand, bitch?”

She gave a slight nod.

He lowered his hand to her throat. “Where is my fucking stuff?”

“I don’t know what you’re looking for. I swear. I don’t know anything about your stuff.”

He narrowed his gaze and leaned in closer, bringing the knife to her throat. His other hand was around her neck, pinning her almost too far off the floor. She was on her toes, trying not to choke.

“Don’t fuck with me,” he growled. “I’ll cut you. You’ll bleed out in this bathroom before anyone finds your body.”

She drew in air through her nose, struggling on her toes. She brought one hand up to his arm and pushed against it. “I can’t breathe,” she managed to wheeze.

“I don’t give a fuck if you breathe, bitch. Where’s my shit?” The knife came too close to her and nicked her skin. She felt the warmth of blood running down her neck.

She considered telling him she had whatever he was looking for and would take him to it just to buy herself some time. But suddenly, the door flew open, slamming against the opposite wall. She expected to see Jackson or even some members of the MC, but she was relieved and surprised to see Rock.

In less than a second, he grabbed the back of her assailant and yanked him off her by the collar.

Lyla screamed as she scrambled a few inches toward the corner. She had nowhere to go. She flattened herself to the wall and grabbed her neck. She didn’t think he’d cut her badly, but she wasn’t certain.

Two men joined Rock and wrestled her attacker to the floor. One of them kicked his knife into the hallway.

Lyla was so confused. The guy who had her attacker held down with a knee to his back looked scarier than the man on the floor. He had on a denim shirt with the sleeves ripped off and greasy hair. He looked like he hadn’t showered in a week.

He started barking out orders as if he were in charge. Of what?

Lyla cried out every time the asshole on his stomach made another effort to free himself.

“Handcuffs!” the greasy guy shouted.

The other guy with him handed him a pair.

Rock rushed to Lyla. “Are you okay? Shit, you’re bleeding. Keep your hand on the wound, Baby girl.”

For a moment, she stared at him wide-eyed.

Rock set a hand on her lower back. “Lyla, Baby, let’s get you out of the bathroom.”

She grabbed onto him with her free hand. Suddenly, she started gasping. Her body switched out of shocked mode as an emotional burst consumed her.

Rock pulled her into the hallway and hauled her into his arms. “Let me see your neck, Baby girl,” he whispered near her ear over the din of shouting.

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