Page 77 of Give In

Two of the bouncers took one look at me before hustling into the room to remove the creep.

Thank God Hank isn’t working. He’d probably find a way to take the guy’s side.

My eyes scanned the room for Charlie, but he must’ve already seen me because he was barreling his way through.

He hadn’t even reached me when he asked, “What happened?”

“I went in but he haditout.”

“Shit,” he bit out. Anger twisted his features as he looked over my head and nodded at someone.

One of the other bouncers stormed past, cracking his neck muscles as he went.

I knew the creep was about to get his ass handed to him, and I couldn’t drum up even a solitary fuck. He deserved it.

Wrapping my arms around myself, I tried not to shiver. “I’m done for the night.” I paused for a moment before impulsively adding, “Andtomorrow.”

Charlie’s expression softened, worry creasing his forehead. “Go home. Take tomorrow off. Ted and I are bringing in new security. We’ll get it straightened out. See you Friday.”

“Yeah, see you,” I said, though my voice didn’t hold the reassurance I’d been going for.

I expected to see Professor Caine standing close, but he wasn’t. He wasn’t at the bar, either. I wondered when he’d left and hoped it was in the small window of time before the creep show.

He’d already been set on convincing me to quit, and that night was the perfect Exhibit A to win his case.

Feeling claustrophobic, my motions were frantic as I scrubbed my skin raw with makeup wipes. I hurriedly changed into my regular clothes before practically dragging two bouncers outside with me. We almost reached my car when their body language changed.

It was the dangerous vibe that hit me hardest—and it wasn’t coming from them.

Peering around one of them, I saw Professor Caine’s car parked horizontally behind mine. He was leaning against the side of it, his arms crossed.

I patted the bouncer’s arm. “It’s fine, I know him.”

“I know,” he grunted, lifting his chin at Damien in a silent greeting I didn’t understand and was too tired to deal with right then.

“Okay then,” I muttered. “Thanks.”

Both bouncers gave me a similar silent chin lift before heading inside.

And leaving me outside with the biggest threat.

“My house,” he bit out.

Too exhausted—mentally and physically—to be anything but bluntly honest, I nodded. “Please.”

Chapter Eighteen

Sexual Manipulation

Damien

I was losing my patience. My temper.

My fucking mind.

I’d wanted Eden to quit for mostly selfish reasons. But her unmasked expression when she’d come out of the room had shown she was done.

Sheneededto be done.

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