Chapter 15

Chloe

Back to Opal for another shift, and I'm actually looking forward to seeing those bright lights and donning that silly outfit. There's something about throwing myself into the persona of Chloe the server that feels wildly different from just being me.

It doesn't hurt that my stress level has been significantly reduced, thanks to Dom. Multiple orgasms will do that for a girl.

"Oh, jeez, Chloe. It was just some fun. Don't read into it."

Talking to myself as I turn into the club's parking lot doesn't stop my stupid subconscious from thinking about the way it felt to be with Dom.

It really has been ages since I let go like that, and it never happens when it comes to being on the delivering end. It wasn't like I was offering up that kind of treatment to Ethan, not in the end, at least.

A small shudder ripples through me as I think about him, but then I remember what Dom said. He's going to help me. Wants to, even. And he's calling his lawyer friend.

"Things are looking up, huh."

Even I can barely believe it, but as I buy time scrolling on my phone while sitting in my parked car before going inside, another stroke of good luck pops up.

"Holy shit. He was right."

Dom said there was a new school being opened, and sure enough, I find the listing and website, which is actively calling for teachers to apply.

My fingers tremble a little as I scroll down the page, looking for the "apply here" button. As I click on their email response, I type up a quick message to put in front of my cover letter and resume.

Like any good internet-age employee, I have them saved on my phone and can easily attach them to the email.

I stop just shy of hitting the send button.

"Fuck. Am I really doing this? With everything going on?" My heartbeat is loud in my ears as I stare at that tiny paper plane icon.

You're not alone anymore. Dom agreed to help you. Hell, he insisted.

It's right there. The one-click option to change my future is in my hands, literally.

I take a deep breath, then send off the application. You did it . A stupid amount of relief and excitement floods through me as I realize I actually sent it.

But I can't live like this anymore. I'm sick of always being afraid. It's a risk. Absolutely. Still, with some help, maybe I can actually get my life back.

Tucking my phone in my pocket, I shut off the car and walk to the back entrance. It opens wide for me again, and I roll my eyes, not questioning it this time.

"Thanks, Sean."

He nods at me with a tight smile, maintaining that gruff bouncer vibe.

As I make my way to the locker room to hang up my stuff, I wave at Yasmin, who's already out on the floor getting things set up behind the bar.

When I reach my locker, I notice that it's open. The lock isn't shoved together and instead hangs loosely from the little hole in the slide.

"Weird."

Opening things up, however, reveals a large white box tucked into the bottom. It's the perfect shape for a large bouquet, and I smile.

"Dom, you idiot. You could have at least locked it again."

I take the box out and set it on the wooden bench behind me. Depositing my hoodie and bag into the locker, I turn back to the gift.

"Hmm, roses? Or would he go nontraditional?"

I can't stop the giddy feeling that invades my chest, tickled at the thought of Dom having to go to a florist and pick out a bunch of flowers. He's a big softy under that tough exterior.

Sliding the lid off, I'm first struck by the fact that I was right. Dom went for roses. But then I notice there's something off about them.

The red that should be bright and rich is duller than it should be, and the petals are browning at the tips.

"He wouldn't pick something this?—"

My words cut off as my eyes travel down the length of the long stems. There's a note shoved into the collection of flowers, and if it weren't for the white of the paper, I might not have noticed them right away.

Bugs .

At least a dozen of them are crawling all through the bouquet. More small brown bodies with too many legs appear the longer I look at the roses.

And then I see the words scrawled on the note in red. Come back or else.

"Ahh—" I cut myself off, slapping a hand over my mouth as I drop the box down to the bench again.

For a moment, I can't hear anything, just the whoosh of my blood in my ears. The world tilts on its axis, and I stumble to my ass on the floor.

He did this. Ethan did this.

Bile crawls up the back of my throat as I try to breathe. He's close. He was in the club. I…I can't let him hurt them .

Yasmin and Dom are here. The regulars are here. I can't put them all in danger.

"No, no. I was just…" My hands shake as I try to restrain the sobs. "I was just getting my life back."

The box sits on the bench, and I see a tiny cockroach-like insect try to slip over the edge. It takes everything in me to use the lid to knock it back inside and then slam the thing closed.

I look around the floor for any other escapees, squashing two under my sneakers. No one can find this .

Scooping up the flowers precariously, I hurry out back for the dumpster near the parking lot, avoiding all of my curious coworkers. Throwing the thing inside, I shudder, wiping my hands on my pants.

The cool night air coats my skin, and I head back inside, straight for my locker again. My heart is still pounding as I stare at the lock that's still hanging open.

"He was here."

How am I supposed to have a life when this keeps happening? A tear slides down my cheek, and I quickly wipe it away.

"Chloe, you coming?" Yasmin pokes her head into the locker room, and I shake myself into focus.

"Yeah, sorry. Forgot something in my car. Be right out."

"Cool, cool."

She leaves, and I grab my change of clothes. As I slip off my street attire in the private stall, frustration builds as I look at the shitty state of my belongings.

I have no jacket, just this hoodie. My jeans haven't been washed because I only have two pairs, and I'm still wearing the only bra I own right now.

"I won't live like this. I can't."

I clench my fists as I ready myself to start my shift. Dom said he would help me, and I know now, more than ever, that I need it.

I have to keep Ethan away. Maybe the police will be more receptive if Dom is there?

"Yeah. Yes. Okay. You can do this. Just get through your shift and then have him take you. Okay."

Smoothing down the front of the club's ridiculous outfit, I nod to myself and go find Yasmin. After my shift, I'll go to the cops. Problem solved .

An hour or so goes by, and I'm feeling slightly better. It's been busy enough to keep me distracted with the usual frat boys and sorority queens, and I realized that Dom is up in his office working.

That's more comforting than I care to admit right now. Still, between that and Yasmin's excellent conversational skills, I'm able to focus on work.

As a new guy comes to sit at the bar, I drop my rag and head over to see what he'd like. When he turns to me, I want to run the other way.

"Kyle?"

I'm backpedaling, about to run off and grab security, when he holds up his hand and gives me a sympathetic smile.

"Wait, Chloe. I'm not here for Ethan."

I stop. As I stare at Kyle hard, I can see Yasmin out of the corner of my eye keeping tabs on me.

"What are you doing here?"

"I actually was hoping to find you. I asked around a little to see if I'd be able to track you down and thank you."

My brain twirls with confusion. "Thank me for what?"

"Leaving Ethan. It, uh, it gave me the motivation to stop doing business with him."

My apprehension eases off, and I step toward him. "You quit? He was your best friend."

Kyle nods. "He was, and I did. And it's all because of you."

Curiosity builds inside me. This guy was practically Ethan's right-hand man, if such a thing exists nowadays.

He'd been there for every meeting or event I went to with Ethan, and he was always saying that Kyle was a lifesaver.

"I hung out with you. You were my friend, and you never once said anything about what Ethan was up to."

Kyle's eyes drop, and he scratches his forehead absently. "I know. I'm sorry for that. I know I should have. But something tells me you know a little about how scary it can be to do something Ethan doesn't want you to do."

A pang lances through my chest, and I clear my throat. "He…he threatened you?"

I keep my voice low to avoid attracting too much attention. Yasmin is still on the sidelines, but I know she'll step in if she thinks I need her help.

"He threatens everybody, Chloe. That's his whole MO."

The scoff escapes me before I can think better of it, but then Kyle seems to relax some. He smiles, that twinge of guilt on his face still there, and I sigh.

"You want a beer or something?"

He nods, going for his wallet.

"Don't worry about it. I'm sure the boss won't mind if the house covers this one."

"Thanks, Chloe." Kyle frowns. "It's been rough since I got out."

Grabbing a Heineken from the fridge beneath the bar, I pop the top and hand it over.

"Why'd you come here of all places?"

"Well—" Kyle takes a sip, raising his brows "—you'd talked about your hometown being so great. A safe place to rest during the storm. I'd hoped that's where you went."

"I'm surprised you remember that. I think I mentioned it like once or twice."

"You painted a hell of a picture."

He takes another swig, and I decide to grab one for myself and take my break. "Let's talk."

I turn to Yasmin. "I'm going to take my fifteen if that's okay."

"Sure thing, girl. Just let me know if you need me." She smiles pleasantly, but I know she's still on edge about how I reacted to Kyle.

"I will."

We go over to a table, and I sit down with Kyle to hear more about how he got away from Ethan. It certainly wasn't an easy task on my part, so I can't imagine it went any better for him.

We each take a few more sips of our beers, and then I just have to ask the question that's burning in my mind.

"How did you find me here? At Opal."

I wait for Kyle to finish his swig, biting the inside of my cheek.

"I didn't, really. I remember you mentioned your brother, and I looked him up. Saw he was a big shot with this club and thought I'd ask him if he'd heard from you. But here you were."

I don't remember talking about Anthony much, but then again, I usually bring him up when I'm talking about my family. I love my big bro, and singing his praises typically takes the attention off me.

"Well, I'm glad you got out. I'm sure it's been rough. It has been on this side of the table."

"Thanks, Chloe." Kyle clinks his bottle against mine.

"Of course. If you need anything while you're figuring things out, just let me know. I'm happy to help."

"That's really nice of you. I'm not sticking around for long. Job offer up North, but I'll keep in touch. Yeah?"

"That's great, Kyle. I'm glad to hear it. And please do. I'd love to know that you're doing all right."

"Same here, Chloe. I'm glad to know where you are. Far away from, well, let's just call him the old ball and chain."

I laugh lightly, but my mind drifts back to the flowers. We finish up our drinks, chatting about nothing before I have to get back to work.

The evening comes to a close with several more customers served and some seriously aching feet. While I'm glad Kyle showed up for a little while, it also reminds me of what I have to do.

As I'm getting ready to change in the locker room, Dom shows up at the door.

"Hey. Good shift?"

I laugh through my nose. "Mostly. Hey, can I ask you a favor?"

Dom looks completely shocked, his brows shooting to his hairline before he quickly recovers. "Of course. What's up?"

"I…" Shit, how do I bring this up without mentioning the box?

Dom steps forward, crossing his arms over his chest. "Chloe?"

I shake my head, forcing a smile for him.

"You're right…about trying to have a life. But I'm not sure I can do that without knowing Ethan can't get to me. Do you think…can you take me to try for the restraining order again?"

"Yes." He doesn't hesitate. "Just tell me when."

I close my locker, swinging my bag over my shoulder. "I'm off tomorrow. Can we go then?"

"I'll see you first thing in the morning."

"Okay." My stomach clenches, but this has to happen. I have to at least try to be heard one more time. And as nervous as I am, the thought of having Dominick there eases some of the worry.