Page 122 of Forbidden Protector

I frantically look around for a means of escape. Then I see my opportunity.

Two large-looking bouncers stand at the stairs to the women’s restroom. I beeline for them.

“Please,” I say to them when I grind to a halt at the bottom of the stairs, my mask of desperation and discomfort a little too easy to dive into. “There are two men who have been following me.”

“Say no more,” the first bouncer replies, offering me what I assume must be his attempt at a comforting smile. “We’ll keep an eye out.”

I don’t linger for another moment, leaping up the stairs two at a time until I’m safely behind the bathroom door.

For a second, I just stay there, gathering my breath. My mind screams in terror as I watch Arnie crumble to the floor over and over again.

“Excuse me.”

It takes me a moment to notice the blonde woman standing before me, impatiently waiting for me to unblock the door.

“Oh, sorry,” I mumble, taking a shaking step forward out of their way.

The blonde passes me with a “tsk,” muttering to her other, equally blonde friend as they leave. “What is it about this bathroom that attracts all the weirdos?”

I pointedly ignore them as I make my way to the sink, leaning heavily against the porcelain as I examine myself in the mirror.

And I’m not remotely dressed for any kind of high-action escape. My heels alone are beginning to dig uncomfortably into my feet from the impact of running.

Maybe I could trade someone… although this doesn’t feel like the kind of place that would let you walk in wearing sneakers.

Fuck it. I kick off my heels angrily. At least it will make it easier to run.

“You want these?”

I turn to see a third blonde standing behind me. Head to toe in black and elegantly dressed, she practically screams old money. Although her features are sharp and calculating, there’s a sympathetic smirk on her lips.There’s something recognisable about her that I can’t quite place.

It takes me a moment to realize she’s holding something out for me.

“They’re just roll-ups,” she clarifies as I take in the bundle of black fabric. “I usually can’t make it back to the taxi without them.”

I take the rolled-up flats from her hand gratefully. “Thank you.”

The blonde shrugs. “What are women’s restrooms for?”

With that, she turns on her own seven-inch heels and strides confidently out the door.

I can’t help but feel a little blindsided by the stroke of luck as I quickly put the flats on my feet. They aren’t exactly the most fashionable things I’ve ever worn, but God, are they comfortable.

“R-Roisin?” A trembling voice comes from one of the stalls, and I spin around in a flash, my heart suddenly palpitating in fear. “Is that you?”

“Bella?” I say in surprise when I recognize the voice.

A second later, one of the stall doors opens, and my roommate steps out tentatively. Her makeup practically drips from her face from her crying.

“Oh my God,” I rush to her in an instant. “Are you okay? Did they hurt you?”

Bella only sobs harder.

“We’ll get you to a hospital. Just hold on, okay?” I try to keep my voice level as I scan her body for injuries.

But Bella shakes her head. “No, I’m fine. I’m not hurt.”

“What happened?” I press.

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