COPS
778 Words
I know I need to calm her down immediately before she tries to bolt out the door, so I force my tense shoulders to relax and I take a deep breath to slow my racing heart.
"Do not come any closer to me," she stammers, taking a clumsy step backward in her high heels while she wraps her arms tightly around her own waist.
"I am not going to hurt you," I tell her in a low voice, making sure to keep my hands open and visible at my sides so she knows I am not a threat.
"You just beat that man half to death on the floor," she replies, her voice shaking as she glances down at the blood on the concrete and then back up at my face.
"I stopped him because he put his hands on you without your permission, and I do not allow men to treat women like that in my bar," I explain, speaking slowly and clearly so she understands my rules.
She blinks in surprise and stares into my eyes for a long moment, searching my face to see if I am lying to her about my intentions.
"Why do you care what happens to me?" she asks, her voice dropping to a nervous whisper as the cold air from the open front door rushes into the silent room.
"Because nobody deserves to be grabbed like that, especially someone who looks like she is already having a terrible night," I say, taking a very slow step forward so I do not startle her.
She shivers as the cold draft hits her bare skin, and I notice she is only wearing a thin dress that does not provide any warmth against the freezing storm outside.
I do not step any closer or try to touch her arm because I do not want to trigger her panic again, so I just slowly reach up and grab the collar of my heavy leather jacket.
I shrug the jacket off my broad shoulders and hold it out toward her, keeping my movements smooth and predictable so she can see exactly what I am doing.
"It is freezing in here, and you are shivering," I tell her, offering the thick leather to her as a peace offering to prove I am here to help her.
She looks at the jacket and hesitates for a few seconds, but the freezing wind blows through the bar again and forces her to nod her head in agreement.
I step forward and gently drape the warm leather over her bare, trembling shoulders, making sure my fingers do not brush against her skin so she feels safe.
The jacket is massive on her soft frame, but it covers her exposed curves and offers her a layer of protection from the staring eyes of the remaining crowd.
She pulls the edges of the heavy leather tight across her chest, inhaling the scent of the jacket before looking back up at me with tears shining in her brown eyes.
"Thank you," she whispers, and the genuine gratitude in her voice makes my heart beat a little faster.
"The police are going to be here any minute to ask questions about the fight, and you do not want to be standing in the middle of a crime scene when they arrive," Luca says, walking over to join us while Dante keeps watch at the door.
"He is right," I tell her, looking down into her face to make sure she is paying attention to me.
"I do not want to talk to the police tonight because I cannot handle any more stress," she says, wiping a stray tear away from her cheek with the back of her hand.
"Then you need to trust me for just a little while longer," I reply, holding my hand out toward the hallway that leads to the back offices.
"Where are we going?" she asks, looking at the dark hallway with a hint of suspicion returning to her eyes.
"We are going up to my private office where it is warm and quiet, and you can stay there until the police clear out," I explain, keeping my tone gentle and reassuring.
She bites her bottom lip and thinks about her options for a moment, weighing the risk of following a strange biker against the risk of dealing with the local cops.
"Okay, I will come with you," she finally agrees, taking a deep breath and stepping closer to my side.
"You're safe," I rumble softly, looking down at her as we prepare to walk away from the dance floor. "Come with me before the cops get here."
- Writer
