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I shook my head quickly. No words would leave me. I’d lost my voice altogether as panic clogged my throat.
Cadence appeared like an angel. “You’re okay, Elic. These are good men. They mean no harm.” She knew about my fear. I had to tell her, so she understood what to expect.
The guy named Greer picked up the tub I’d dropped and placed it on the table. “I bumped into him. It was Dex’s fault.”
“What the hell did I do?” another voice said.
“You made me jump when you slid your hand toward my—”
I did my best to tune them out and focus on my breathing. This was not the place to have a full-on panic attack. The last time I had one, I curled into a ball on a city sidewalk.
“Move!” a familiar voice yelled. Then Reed was in front of me, crouched down in my line of sight, careful to avoid the broken glass. God, he looked so fucking perfect. His eyes were lined dark. His hair was styled half in his face, the pink more prominent and shinier than normal. Skin peeked out from the rips on the knees of his jeans. His black T-shirt was tighter than the ones I saw him in at home. This one showed off his slender body more.
I was so happy to see him, tears welled in my eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for. Greer’s the size of a damn house. He should have traffic cones around him.” He smiled, trying to lighten the mood. “Can I help you up?”
“Everyone’s watching, aren’t they?” I whispered.
“I don’t know. I heard the commotion when I came in and saw Cadence rush over. I’m not sure how I knew, but I had a feeling it was you. I couldn’t get to you fast enough.”
“I don’t want them to stare.”
Reed turned, looking up. I noticed Casper for the first time. “Are you hurt?” Casper asked me. He looked like he usually did—relaxed jeans and a gray T-shirt that showcased his muscles. Yet, I felt none of my usual fear around him. Casper wasn’t the same as everyone else. He’d proven how kind and gentle he could be.
“No.”
He nodded and turned. Dash and Slater were near him. They moved into the crowd, then Reed was back in my line of sight.
“The guys will distract them. Can I help you up now?”
“Please.” I shook all over. Between Greer startling me to dropping and breaking the dishes to the whole restaurant looking this way, I wanted to dig a hole and live in it.
The moment Reed’s palm slid against mine; I calmed a little. I wasn’t sure how he had this effect on me, but I also wasn’t questioning it. The urge to wrap my arms around him and have him shelter me was strong; however, I couldn’t do that. If I was going to make something of myself, do this job well, I couldn’t hide each time I was startled. The panic was still there, which I had to work through. With Reed by my side, it seemed doable.
He stayed close to me as I stood. “Is your foot okay? You didn’t tear the stitches or anything?”
I flexed my foot in my shoe. It didn’t hurt other than being a tad sore. “No, I don’t think so.”
“We should take your shoe off and have a look.” He went to bend down, but I squeezed his hand to stop him.
“I’m fine. I promise you can look at it later.”
A smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “Can I introduce you to my friends? Some of them I’ve known for a long time. Others are new.” He leaned close, his minty breath tickling my cheek. “I promise, you’re safe. They would protect you if given the chance. They’re good guys.”
Having Reed this close stirred something in me I’d tried to avoid since seeing him bent over the counter with Casper fucking the hell out of him. Lust replaced my panic. That was one way to get my mind off what just happened.
I couldn’t go there. Not in a restaurant full of people when I was supposed to be working.
“Okay?” he asked. Shit, I hadn’t answered him. “I’ll stay by your side.”
“Yes.”
He turned, revealing the table of guys who watched me curiously. One by one, I was introduced to them. Reed told me a little about them along the way.
Greer Lynx was the guy who startled me. He was a CSO and tech nerd. Not my words. He was in a relationship with Dexen Dremest, whose name I’d heard before. There was an entire city nearby named after his family. Dexen owned an exclusive club where men danced with nothing but a G-string on, shaking their cocks for the members to drool over. Again, Reed’s words, not mine.
The third guy in their relationship was the one with the shit-kicking boots. He was JJ Altair, another name I recognized. How could I not? His father was a mafia boss. I might have lived in a different city, but word spread there too.
