Page 75 of Wild Hit
The one I find waiting for me outside is Henry Vos, though.
He tucks his hands in the pockets of his slacks. “Finally, we can talk,” he says, as if I’d been waiting for this moment the whole night.
Two women have to walk around us to enter the restroom. One of them is kind enough to make eye contact in a way that’s reassuring. I nod my head at her because sadly I know this jerk, and we’re still in a very public place. I’m sure this little lobby that exists as a buffer between the restrooms and the side entrance of the main venue must have cameras and all.
I fold my arms tight and lean my weight on a single leg in the universal body language speak formake this quick, you walking piece of garbage. Or at least that’s what I’m trying to convey. “What do you want?”
“Your father told me.” There’s a half smirk on his face, even though his eyes are like shards of ice. “You can’t possibly expect me to believe that your sudden marriage is real.”
The warm and fuzzy feelings I was enjoying part, allowing a block of ice to slide down my spine.
On the outside, I keep my composure by shrugging. “Think whatever you want.” I sidestep him and all is well for one second.
The next, I’m seriously regretting having told Miguel that I was fine with going to the restroom by myself. Henry grabs me by the elbow and pulls at me so hard, I nearly lose my footing.He throws me against a wall in a nook I hadn’t realized was here. A staff door is across from me, if I can reach it I can get rid of this pest.
But of course, Henry blocks my path with his wiry body like he once did by the coffee machine at work.
I’m sweating again but for a completely different reason. How could I remember that this asshole isn’t above cornering me and making me extremely uncomfortable?
I hope Miguel realizes I’ve been gone a tad too long. And that he doesn’t think it’s just because I’m pooping.
Lifting my chin, I try for my usual bravado, but I’m betrayed by a heavy swallow. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I try to free myself but he grabs even tighter onto my arm. “Let me go or I’ll scream bloody murder in your ear.”
“Have fun with that, I’ll just pretend like you’re the one having a mental breakdown for no damn reason.”
Oh, so he admits he’s actually acting unhinged, huh? Self preservation allows me to keep my mouth shut, though. Also because my arm is starting to hurt and he’s way too close. The nook is significantly darker than the lobby, and on top of that he casts a shadow on me.
“I knew you were kind of slippery, Audrey,” he whispers, like he’s not being a serpent right now. “But I didn’t know you’d go as far as doing something like this.”
“What? Falling in love and marrying the love of my life?” I ask through gritted teeth. The lie sits heavy in my stomach, or that could just be the fear that’s churning my guts.
He snorts. “Maybe Charlie believes that bullshit, but I don’t. You haven’t even kissed him once all night.”
Shit.
I’d never thought about it like that. It’s true that lovey dovey newlyweds would be all over each other, no matter where they may be.
“What’s that to you?” I grunt, trying to pry him off with my free hand. I hate that he’s so much stronger than me. “Let go of me, you brute.”
“I won’t. Not until you reveal the truth and end this sham marriage,” he threatens.
It’s a good thing, really. It allows anger to kick self preservation to the curb.
“Or else?” I demand, wondering just what power he thinks he has over my decisions. Even if Dad supports Henry, I now have enough friends that I don’t feel so helpless anymore.
But then a really ugly smile forms on Henry’s face, something out of the book of serial killers. “Or else I’m going to ruin your marriage myself.”
Then something horrible happens. He swoops down to kiss me.
I scream. I beg in my mind. I call for one name from the bottom of my soul.
Andheappears.
My arm is free, and a violent thud echoes in the quiet nook. Slowly, I peek one eye open and all I see is an expanse of dark.
I open both eyes wide and my breath hitches. Right in front of me is the person I most wanted to see right now—Miguel, his gigantic back to me, and the dark was the deep green of his suit jacket. My eyes fix on the thick column of his neck, and the second I feel his hand near mine I latch on for dear life.
“Stay away from my wife.”
