But before any of us has time to react, a loud pop permeates the air before I hear a whizzing sound by my ear. The sound of a glass breaking and screaming shocks me back to reality.

“Bree, let’s go!”

“W-What?”

“Now!” Vince says as he grabs my head, ducking it down underneath the table.

“Wait, where’s Tristan?” I shout, hoping he can hear me, but Vince is too busy talking through his earpiece, probably figuring out the safest way out of here. I don't see his legs across from me at our table, and my ears are ringing.Is he hurt? Did I put Tristan in danger?“Vince! Where’s Tristan?”

“Over here!” I hear him shout from behind a potted plant.

Vince is still cradling my head away from danger before another whizz goes by our table. “Is someone shooting at the restaurant?”

“I think so. Emerson and Chris are trying to figure out what’s going on and where the shots are coming from.” Vince cranes his neck to Tristan. “You follow me, okay? On my count.”

Tristan must comply because when Vince reaches three, he jumps up and shields my body as he heads for the bathrooms at the back of the restaurant.

Vince kicks open the bathroom door and checks it out. When he deems it safe a few seconds later, he turns to the two of us. “Stay here, and don’t open this door for anyone but me. I’ll be back.”

My heart starts to race at the thought of him going out toward the danger.Stay here. Stay here where you won’t get hurt.“Vince, where are you going?”

“I’m going to figure out what the hell’s going on and who the fuck was shooting at you.”At me.Not the restaurant, me. He unholsters his gun from his ankle before he clicks the safety off. I jump at the noise but shove it down because there’s too much else to worry about.

“Be safe,” is all I can say.

He nods at me before looking at Tristan. “If I’m not back in fifteen minutes, you get her out of here.”

“I will.”

“You fucking better because if I find out she got hurt because of you, I’ll strangle you myself!” Vinceyellsat Tristan.

“Vince—”

“I’ll protect Bree with my life. You have my word.”

“Tristan, no—”

“I’ll believe it when I see it,” Vince shoots back at him, and I’m afraid this is going to turn into a fight if they don't stop challenging one another.

“Vince, go do your job. We’ll be fine here.” I turn to Tristan. “And you. Don’t ever insinuate you’d die for me because you shouldn't even be in this situation in the first place. It’s my fault you're in this mess, and it should always be me getting hurt over you.”

Before Tristan can respond, Vince speaks. “If you ever blame yourself for this again, angel, don't do it in front of me.”

What does that mean?But he’s gone, and I’m suddenly worried that he might not come back. The thought of it makes my skin crawl, and it’s then I realize my crush on Vince might be more than that.

Because as I stand in this bathroom and think about him getting hurt or killed, I realize I’d rather die before I see that happen.

If I was given the choice, I’d choose him—the man who makes me feel safe, protected, like my voice still matters. The man who helps me through the panic, the man whose face and eyes help me see through the fog.

I like Vince. I care about him, but I know that the two of us could never happen; he will never see me as more than just a client.

“Bree? Are you okay? God, what the hell is going on?” Tristan has started pacing around the bathroom, and I shake out of my terror enough to answer him.

“He sent me a bullet with my name scratched onto it.” I leave out the part about Liv because Vince sent a few guys to watch their house. I think Nico is also planning on installing a system for them.

“Hewhat?” Tristan throws his hands into the air. “Bree, what the fuck? Why didn't you tell us?”

“I-I was scared! I haven't been sleeping, and I can barely leave the house without panicking, and it’s all too much! It’s too much for me to handle, and I don't want to dump it on you guys because you have your own shit to deal with.”