Max remained utterly still, as though his body was carved from ice. From my vantage point, I could only see him in profile, but the cruel grin that split his scarred features made my stomach knot.
“I’ll break more of your bones.” The threat was a calm statement of fact. “We can start right now if you want. You have three seconds to walk away. She won’t be able to stop me next time.”
Gavin’s face went a sickly shade of green, and his eyes briefly flickered to me. A low warning sound that was purely predatory rumbled from Max, and he shifted to hide me from my bully’s view.
Without thinking, I touched my hand to his lower back, as though that would be enough to tether him to me. “Don’t,” I whispered. My voice was too quiet for Gavin to hear me, but Max’s muscles uncoiled ever so slightly beneath my fingertips. He didn’t advance on my attacker.
Despite my vindictive pleasure at Gavin’s suffering, I really didn’t want that older couple to call the cops. They’d crossed the street to avoid the conflict, but they still hovered nearby, monitoring the situation. The man hadn’t pulled out his phone, but that didn’t mean he’d hesitate to contact the police if violence broke out again.
Gavin’s bloody lips twisted with contempt, and he spat at Max’s feet before turning and stalking away. Within a few yards, he managed to hail a taxi, retreating from the threats issued by my dark protector.
My hand firmed on Max’s back as I leaned into him for support. My knees were suddenly shaky, and my teeth clicked together as my skin pebbled. I hadn’t realized that I’d been riding an adrenaline high until the danger passed, and now I felt weirdly tingly and lightheaded.
Max turned to me, his big hands gently grasping my shoulders to steady me. Those black eyes were soft as they roved over each of my features, assessing. His hair was still pushed back from his brow, his scar fully visible. But I didn’t experience even a twinge of fear. His terrifying scowl had scared off my assailant. The mark might look frightening, but it couldn’t hurt me.
Max wouldn’t hurt me.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice deep and soothing.
“Y-yeah.” The word shook, and I realized I was lying. I wasn’t okay. That’d been deeply disturbing, and Gavin’s new kind of sexual aggression shook me to my core. “No,” I admitted. “Not really.”
Max cocked his head at me, those deep, dark eyes intent on every nuance of my expression. “You should sit down. Eat something. Hydrate.” He nodded in the direction of my front door. “Go on.”
“I don’t have any food in my fridge,” I said without thinking. Earlier, I’d been too distracted to go to the store for my weekend grocery run, and I’d been so anxious that I hadn’t been hungry, anyway. Now, my stomach twisted with a sudden hunger pang, and my fingers shook.
His full lips pressed together in a thin, disapproving line. “Okay. I’ll take you someplace. Where do you like to go around here?”
“Pairings,” I replied automatically. It was my favorite local spot, just around the corner from my apartment. They had an epic charcuterie and cheese board. It was my comfort food place where I went to unwind when I wanted to go out with my friends but stay close to home.
Max’s brows lifted. “That’s a wine bar, right? You need to eat something.”
“They have food,” I countered, suddenly ravenous. “I can go order takeout. You don’t have to come with me.”
He wrapped a strong arm around my shoulders and tucked me close to his side. “Well, I am. I’m not leaving you alone until you’re safely back in your apartment.”
I started walking alongside him, deciding not to argue. I was still shaken by what Gavin had done, and truthfully, I didn’t want to be alone right now. I wouldn’t feel safe out here, but I really did want to eat something.
“Okay,” I agreed, leaning into him slightly as we walked toward my comfort place. I needed the support, even if it came from the most unlikely person imaginable. The man who’d kidnapped and interrogated me only a couple of weeks ago had saved me multiple times. I was safe with him, no matter how scary he looked.
Chapter 16
Allie
My hands were still shaking when I sat down on one of the cushy black leather barstools at Pairings. The host recognized me as a regular, and he’d made sure to seat me at one of my favorite high-top tables near the window. I rubbed my palms over my chilled arms. Right now, I would’ve preferred a table tucked into a safe corner, where I wouldn’t have to worry about being watched or followed.
I was worried about Gavin, my bully and now my assailant. The twinge in my hip as I sat served as an awful reminder of his cruel, possessive grip. I shuddered and hugged my arms more tightly around myself.