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The one who asked the question turns around and spots me, and I back into the hall, letting the door shut behind me. I turn to continue my search for the bathroom, but I accidentally bump into someone. A hand grips my bare shoulder, stopping me from moving away. The man reeks of alcohol, and his smile sends shivers all over my body.
“I’ve seen you before,” he slurs.
I try to hold my breath as he speaks because he stinks. The man grips my shoulder even tighter and pushes me back. I go to move away, but for someone so intoxicated, he is fast and slams my back against the wall.
I have felt intimidated before in my life, but never quite like this. In this situation right now, I feel more scared than I was that night in that alleyway, though I have hardly any recollection of that incident. My body freezes and my mind starts to go blank as he whispers close to my ear, “I wonder how much it would cost to have you for the night?”
My hands lift, and I try to shove him away, but he simply laughs at my efforts and pushes me back against the wall once more, but harder this time.
“With that type of attitude, I think I should get you for free.” His hand flexes at my neck before he adds, “Don’t you?”
I can’t even fathom the words to speak to him right now. My mind is blank, and I feel a panic attack is coming on. He leans in, his breath on my neck, and that’s when I feel his lips touch my skin.
“Get off of me.” It was meant to be a scream, but it comes out as a breathy gasp.
He chuckles and leans his full body, so it presses on me. A tear leaves my eye, and I hear the laughter of the women from the room right next to me.
Why is no one coming out?
Why is no one doing anything?
I watch in disbelief from where I am pinned against the wall as a man walks by, glances in my direction, and keeps on going. Then a server comes out of the kitchen and looks in our direction. I ask him for help, but he quickly turns away and hurries down the hall.
The only thing left I can think of to do is to scream for Jake. But for some strange reason, words refuse to leave my mouth, no matter how hard I try. I squeeze my eyes shut, and suddenly, the man is no longer there.
Before I can open my eyes, I feel relief and then see Jake standing before me, holding the other man by his neck. Jake’s dark eyes search mine before they drop to my body, and I watch as they turn almost black. “Are you okay?” he asks me.
I go to answer, but the drunk man starts laughing.
Jake turns his attention to him.
“Is this a joke? You parade her around for what? I’ll pay. You know I’m good for it,” the man says.
Jake ignores him and looks back at me, asking, “Did. He. Hurt. You?”
“She’s a whore. She deserves to be hurt,” the man declares, and Jake’s eyes slice to him again.
“I’d watch what you say, Mercedes,” Jake warns.
The man laughs again. “Are you catching feelings for the whore? I heard you kicked out your brother, yet you let a whore stay.” He goes to pull away and tries to reach for me again.
Everything happens so fast, and it takes me a moment to process it all. From my spot against the wall, I see Jake pull out a knife and drag it across the man’s throat, then Jake steps away as the man falls to the floor in a heap, trying to stop the blood from pouring out of his wound.
Jake offers me his hand, but I don’t know if I can take it. I’m frozen in shock as I watch the man struggle on the ground. Another server comes by but doesn’t slow down or say anything.
Jake gives up, waiting for me to take his hand and reaches for me, then tugs me away. I move on autopilot as he guides me with his strong grip, my adrenaline coursing through every vein before I realize we’re in the safety of his car.
