“Billie, wait!” Luis yelled but Billie rushed to the exit to find Eli on the ground, a man lying prone beneath him, his arms behind his back. His heart pounded furiously as he ran closer, and then he looked at the man’s face. That son of a bitch.
Chapter Eleven
Eli
Eli spotted a man in the crowd that looked like Hammond Vicks but with different color hair and glasses. Despite this, he was pretty sure it was their man. How the fuck had he gotten through security tonight? Then he noticed the outfit and got his answer. He tapped his earpiece and advised his team. Suddenly, Mason and Oliver were right behind him.
“He’s making his way over to the elevator. I think he knows I’ve spotted him.”
“Someone’s going to get fired when I find out how Vicks got up here,” Mason muttered.
“He’s dressed in a hotel uniform, boss. He must’ve gotten access via a keycard. Probably stole it from an employee.”
“Let’s encircle him and draw him to the exit, away from the crowd,” Mason barked out. They fanned out in different directions, and the closer they got to Vicks—and the exit—the tighter the circle.
Eli was the closest to him, and sure enough, Hammond turned. His eyes widened when he noticed Eli heading in his direction. The man bolted for the hallway to the private elevator, but Eli was quicker, launching his body at him and tackling him to the ground.
“Get off me, you asshole!” Vicks yelled as he squirmed. “It’s his fault I was fired. He deserves to pay! That stupid designer and his shitty ideas. Get off!”
Eli tapped his earpiece while using his body weight to keep Vicks pinned down.
“Got him, boss. Call the police.”
He looked up to find Billie rushing toward him. Where was Luis?
“Eli, what’s happened? Are you okay? Oh my God, it’sVicks!”
Billie’s face paled. Eli started to move up, and Vicks took advantage, pulling his arms out and trying to turn over. A flash of metal wavered in front of Eli’s face and just as quick, Billie kicked Vicks in the head. The man slumped down on the carpet again, and a knife scattered along the floor.
“Eli!” Billie yelled as Oliver and Luis rushed in to help secure Vicks and the knife. Once that was done, they stood guard over the raging man while Eli ran over to Billie.
“It’s okay, sweetheart. Everything is fine,” he murmured as he held Billie tightly and rubbed his back. “It’s all over. We got him.”
“Don’t ever scare me like that again!” Billie yelled, and his teary gaze hit Eli like a punch to the gut. He grabbed Billie’s beautiful face and held his gaze, letting him see every emotion that he couldn’t voice.
“You’re safe and so is everyone else. But thanks for kicking him in the head for me and dislodging that knife. Those boots really do kick ass.” Eli chuckled and Billie cried harder.
“This is not the time for a joke, Eli. He could’ve hurt you,” Billie whispered and held on tighter.
“It’s all right, love. I’m fine. But please don’t run away from your detail. You could have been seriously hurt.”
Mason appeared at his side. “Are you guys okay?”
“I’m fine, boss. But Billie needs to leave. He’s in shock.”
“Oliver, Luis, bring Vicks downstairs and wait for the police. Eli, take Billie home. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Mason turned back to the crowd and assured everyone that the disturbance was over. All the attention turned back to the party. The elevator opened and the hotel security manager stepped into view, Mason pulling him aside and getting up in his face.
Billie stopped shaking, but he was stone cold silent, andEli rushed to get him out of the hotel and into his SUV.
“Do you want to go to the hospital?” Eli asked.
“Home. I need to go home,” Billie whispered.
Eli drove as fast as legally possible to get back to Billie’s apartment. Billie was still in shock, and he walked slowly as they entered his place.
“Can you get undressed, or do you need help?”