Shane resolved that dilemma by punching him in the kidneys and knocking him forward into Katie.
“Leave us alone!” Katie slammed her fists against Shane.
Travis twisted around and nailed Shane with a hard left to the jaw.
He tackled him to the ground and began to slam his fist into his opponent's face over and over again.
Philip appeared, grabbed Travis and swung him around into the wall.
“Run, Katie,” Travis grunted, turned, and swung at Philip.
To his relief, she managed to evade Shane and run out the door. It slammed shut with a resounding boom and left him trapped with Shane and Philip bearing down on him.
3. Descending into Chaos
The foyer seemed to swirl around her, then Katie found her bearings and backed away from the bathroom. She could hear the men inside fighting with each other and tears streamed down her face.
Nearly falling, a she walked to the doorway to the ballroom. She pulled the top of her dress up around her breasts.
Already the self-incrimination was starting. …how could she drink so much… …why had she worn such a sexy dress… …why hadn't she just gone back into the ballroom, not the bathroom when she had seen Shane…
Stumbling to the doorway, she called out in a hoarse voice, “Can someone help Travis?”
Nerit saw her first and immediately walked toward her. She caught Jenni's arm as she passed her on the dance floor and Jenni looked startled until she saw Katie. She immediately ran to her.
Katie flung her arms around Jenni and held onto her tightly.
“Someone needs to help Travis. ”
“What happened? Where is he?”
Juan ran up just as Katie pointed toward the bathroom.
“Shane…Shane…he…he…”
“Shit!” Juan cursed and ran for the bathroom.
He was almost to the door when it was flung open. Travis came stumbling out backwards with Shane right on him. Juan was in the fray immediately, shoving Shane off his feet and into a planter. He was sucker punched by Philip as the older man barreled through the door.
“Break it up!” Bill shouted as he ran out of the ballroom. Curtis was right behind him and they ran toward the brawlers.
Shane recovered enough to kick out at Travis and trip him. Travis stumbled, but regained his feet. He whirled around and slammed his fist into Shane's jaw. The men began to exchange a flurry of blows as Juan struggled with Philip.
“Break it up!” Bill managed to hook his arm around Shane's neck and haul him backward away from Travis.
Travis lunged forward for one last punch, but Curtis caught him.
“That's enough, Travis. ”
“Did you see what he did to Katie?”
Katie clung to Jenni, sobbing. The sight of her made Travis even more upset and Curtis had to put extra pressure on his arm to keep him under control.
Juan and Philip were still grappling with each other. Finally, Juan managed to get him down to the ground. Roger and a few other men hurried to help subdue Phillip.
“He fuckin' attacked me out of nowhere! I demand you arrest him!”
Shane was still struggling to get free, his angry gaze on Travis.