Her head hung low as she emptied her lungs of a deep breath.
“No. We’re done. Now let me go.” Her voice was soft but firm, holding none of the carefree humour I saw moments ago as she danced. I’m not sure I would have even heard her if I hadn’t been standing so close.
Suddenly, her body thrust forward, the space between us unexpectedly cold as I lost her body to him.
Instinctively lurching forward and around Marlee, I grabbed him by the back of the throat, the surprise causing him to release his grip on her arm and reach for my own.
Positioning her behind me, I swung him around to face me and swiftly shoved my fist straight into his face. Any attempt at keeping this low-key out the window as people scattered.
Her short gasp from behind was the only thing preventing my hand from coming through for a second punishing hook. Regardless of who this scumbag was to her, I didn’t need to make things worse – especially in my own fucking club.
“Him - out!” I ordered the guards to my left, turning back to Marlee and guiding her through the crowd.
Get her away from him– a song on repeat in my mind as adrenaline pressed me forward. I could hear his pathetic pleas as he fought for her attention. Fought to salvage control of a situation he never should have instigated, but to my relief she didn’t look back.
I couldn’t help but notice how that fucking tight dress wrapped around her but when I looked up to find her shoulders still slumped and her head bowed despairingly any lust I may have felt was instantly sobered. Walking ahead of me, unsteady on her feet, far more intoxicated than the current bar tab depicted was a shell of the woman I’d seen a few minutes earlier.
Bypassing the VIP area along with plenty of other places I could have stopped, I opened the back door that led outside, needing more space. The confinement of what I always thought was a spacious club, too tight, too small, for her – me –this.
I ushered her outside but her steps were heavy, her docile obedience disconcerting.
Ironic given how naturally I sought dominance – but never like this.
The crisp air was a welcomed slap to the face, the adrenaline fading the further we moved away. I remained close to her, knowing she was drunk, upset or a strong mixture of both as I silently held the door open waiting for her to step into the street. Even with her hand pressed to the door frame in an attempt to gain some sturdiness, she stumbled down the small step. Instinctively, as if we were in tandem, I reached out, steadying what was almost a nasty injury.
We both froze at the contact.
Her arse fit perfectly against me and I moved my arm around her stomach to stabilise her while I tried to think about anything other than how fucking warm she was.
The door behind us swung open, the beat of the music intensifying for a second before Arna was in front of us pulling Marlee from me and into her arms.
“I will kill that mother fucker,” she spat, her arms protectively tight around Marlee, her eyes staring ahead in a rage. Her love for her friend was fierce and it cooled my own anger knowing she had someone like that in her corner.
“He’s gone,” Wayne said, appearing behind Arna, both for my benefit and the girls.
Arna was whispering reassuringly while simultaneously pulling her phone from her bag.
“No,” Marlee asserted, taking a step back, “you know you can't miss this, it's your annual conference. I’m okay. I promise.”
“Marls. I will call in a sick day, they will understand. I don't want to leave you.”
I turned to Wayne avoiding openly watching their whispered discussion of apologies and reassurances.
“Damn work!” Arna bellowed before softening her tone. “I don’t want you to be alone,” she pleaded and suddenly, I was inserting myself into their business.
“You can stay with me,” I said to Marlee, before adding, “I have a spare room.” In case my statement was misinterpreted.
Apparently I was a fucking hero now. A hero who couldn’t stand the sadness on her face. The lingering fear reminding me that she was scared of that prick and that was enough of an extinguisher to whatever else I felt.
“Thank you, but I’ll be okay,” she replied meekly and Arna, looking from me to her nodded, as if she had come to a conclusion.
“You don’t want me to call in sick, which I am more than happy to do, but I don’t want you to be alone. I’ll go, only if you agree to stay with Seb.” She folded her arms and something told me she wasn’t someone many people said no to. If I wasn’t still awash with fury I might have found her determination impressive but as it was, I was struggling to keep my own wrath in check.
Marlee looked over at me, the pain in her eyes only fuelling my anger, yet I held my face blank. My rage was the last thing she needed.
“I will be fine. Your place is CIA secured,” she said clearly trying to lighten the mood but Arna only crossed her arms.
“I’m not leaving you alone so you either let me stay or you stay with him,” she tipped her head towards me, “either suits me but I do know Andy will vouch for Seb.”
