Chapter 13

Chapter Thirteen

Landon

Listen to Bad Idea, Right

by Olivia Rodrigo

T he words crept over my skin like scurrying bugs, bringing out a wash of goosebumps.

In horror, I realized when I tried to fight back, he was much stronger, and his hands were tugging up my skirt. I went bonkers, opening my mouth to scream, tensing my muscles to try and throw him off when–

The pressure was ripped away and I gave a yelp, whipping around to bite and claw and punch with a frenzy, desperate to get away. But Max was already there, shoving the guy away so he stumbled and almost fell to the floor. Max panted, glancing at me, then the guy in the mask. “I’m going to kill you,” Max said coldly. “After I beat the shit out of you for touching her.”

The guy straightened and I saw a tiny smile curve his lips. “Do it and you’ll both be fired. Plus, I’ll sue the restaurant and ruin you.”

“You think I care?” Max went after him, getting in one good punch. The asshole’s head spun as Max connected with his jaw. I hoped he broke it; I craved to get in on the action of physical assault and make him pay. My fingers curled into fists and I was about to launch myself at him but the guy suddenly snapped back with an upper cut. Max stumbled and I grabbed Max to keep him from falling, and in a matter of seconds, the guy had disappeared.

Max roared and ran after him. I followed, struggling with a wild array of emotion after the awful experience. When I re-entered the lounge, half of the customers were already gone. I looked around for Max and the guy and reached for my phone. I needed to tell Rocco what was going on.

Fuck . My phone was locked up. I fought for focus as I looked around wildly, and then Max rushed back. “He’s gone. I lost him. Must’ve ran upstairs and out of the restaurant. Are you okay?”

I nodded, even though I was lying. “Y-yeah. It was just surprising. He was all over me so fast, I didn’t have time to think. I need to tell Rock. Can I get my phone?”

“God, Landon, you’re shaking.” The gentle care in his eyes made me shake harder, and then Max pulled me into his arms, holding me close. The familiarity of his embrace helped me catch my breath and for a few moments, I let him hold me, leaning into his strength until I regrouped. He stroked my back. “Baby, I’m so sorry this happened. I’m going to find him and tear him apart.”

I let out a half laugh. “Something tells me he’s not going to be found.”

“There are cameras. We’ll get him.”

“He wore a mask and he’s part of the inner circle. Probably thought all the wait staff was fair game. I need to talk to Rock,” I said again. I felt like I had to go to someone in authority who could explain how this happened during a work shift. It was fucked up. What if Max hadn’t been there to help me?

I shivered in dread and he held me closer. “I’m coming with you. We’re done here, come on.”

I followed him upstairs to Rock’s office, which was shut tight. Max knocked and after a grunt my boss opened it. “Shift’s not over for another twenty minutes,” he growled. “I swear to God, if anyone complains you’re fired.”

“Some asshole attacked her,” Max grit out. “She’s done.”

Rock paused, his gaze taking in my face and shaky body. “Ah, fuck. Come in. Tell me what happened.”

We both reported the incident. Rock wrote it up, then came downstairs to talk to the remaining customers but most of them had fled. Rock said a report was going to HR and he’d call the police if I wanted for an official investigation. I told him no. I didn’t want to deal with any of it and only wanted to go home. It was a while before Rock had everything he needed and promised an in-depth analysis, citing an incident like this had never happened in the past seven years he’d been working there.

Great . I was a record breaker for assault. I knew I’d never work the after-hour club after this, which pissed me off because Max had been right about the money. The tips were insane, and I hadn’t even found out what came in from the credit cards since we bolted before closing.

Rock promised to handle it all and Max walked out with me.

“I’m taking you home,” he said firmly. I tried to refuse but he was insistent. I longingly looked at my phone. All I wanted to do was call Adam and hear his voice. I needed to be in his arms and have him tell me it was all okay and then it would be. But Max was still freaking out and Adam had a gig in Brooklyn, and would probably crash at JJ’s place tonight. Did I really want to bother him with all this when he’d just gotten to bed? Or was out with the guys partying?

I wasn’t ready to tell Max the truth about Adam. Not right now. Not after this nightmare when I couldn’t think rationally and present my case. Max insisted on coming into my apartment. He poured me a glass of wine and fussed over me like we’d never been apart. A strange feeling settled into my stomach and I opened my mouth to tell him I wanted to be alone, but exhaustion finally hit hard and I suddenly felt like crying. I only wanted to go to bed and feel safe. I only wanted Adam.

“I’ll stay on the couch in case you need me or have a bad dream,” he said, grabbing a pillow and blanket. “Want something to help you sleep?”

I shook my head. “No, I’ll be okay. I need to lay down.”

He reached out to take my hand but I turned away. I wasn’t comfortable with any physical touching when we were alone. It wasn’t fair to Adam, or Max. Plus, it gave me the ick factor. Max shook his head and gave me a wry grin. “Sorry. Just a habit.”

I forced a smile. “It’s okay. You really don’t have to stay.”

“Landon, that was some scary shit. I’m not leaving you alone until I know you don’t need anything.”

I offered him a tired nod. I knew that stubborn look and there was nothing I could do. “Thanks. See you in the morning.”

I climbed under my covers and buried my face in the pillow. A deep-seated weariness swept over me, and my stiff muscles loosened. Tears stung my eyes as I thought of that dickhead trying to take a part of me that didn’t belong to him. The entitlement of his money and privilege thinking I was some type of whore that came with his check. I burned with anger and resentment, but the shock finally took hold and I tumbled into a sleep filled with restless dreams.

In those dreams, I sought Adam’s comfort. I called out to him. And finally, a low, familiar murmur drifted in my ear and I sighed in relief. He’d come for me. He always knew when I needed him. I burrowed into his muscled warmth, felt his mouth soft on my skin, then went back to sleep.

In the morning, I woke up and Max was in my bed.