Page 82 of Nails
“Do you want to change?”
She shook her head.“No.Just help me get my hoodie on.I’ll shower and change when we get back.”
Nails handed her the hoodie, and she winced when the movement tugged at her injured shoulder.
“Here,” Nails said, taking the hoodie from her and holding it open so she could ease her arms into it.
Once it was on, she looked up at him and gave him a small smile.
“Thanks.Do you mind if I use the bathroom before we leave?”
“Of course not.I’ll be right outside the door,” he told her, and then picked up her bag and walked out.
Once she was alone, she took a deep breath as she walked over to the bathroom stall.The reality of what nearly happened was starting to sink in.
That was too close,she thought to herself.But the more she kept running everything through her head, the more she was sure that she was targeted.The question was, who was behind it?
Nails paced the hallway as he waited for Riley.His jaw was clenched so tightly that it ached.The pulsing beat of the club still thudded through the walls, but it felt distant.Like a war drum in the background of a battlefield, he couldn’t quite walk away from.
He ran a hand down his face, trying to shake the image burned into his mind of Riley being dragged into that room, seeing her top ripped, blood staining her shoulder, and her eyes wide with panic.
If he had walked in thirty seconds later.
His fists curled.He didn’t even want to imagine what would have happened.
The bastard had not only touched her, but he had hurt her, too.Nails had seen the blood, the bruises.He had heard her strangled cries when they burst through the door.
There were so many unanswered questions.Who did this guy pay?Where was Kumar, the bouncer who should have been watching that area?
Before he could dwell on it anymore, the door to the changing room opened and Riley stepped out.
She moved slowly, favoring her left shoulder.Her hair was pulled back into a messy bun, but a few loose strands framed her face.Even in the low light, he saw a bruise forming on her cheek.
“Damn it, Riley…” he breathed, moving to her side.
He pulled out his phone and quickly shot a text to Bear.
Nails:Bring the SUV to the intersection two blocks east of the club.Riley needs medical attention.
Bear:Copy.On our way.
He slipped his phone back in his pocket and started toward the door with Riley by his side.
Just before they were about to head back through the club, Erik called out to them as he came out of the door that led to the second floor.
Nails looked at him.
“I just got off the phone with Adam.He’s pissed.”Erik looked at Riley.“He said for you to take tomorrow night off and that he’ll check up on you when he gets back in town.”
Nails had to bite the inside of his cheek so he wouldn’t say something that would either get him fired or worse, blow his cover.The nerve of that guy.But it also proved that he definitely had feelings for Riley that went beyond a professional relationship.
“Thanks, Erik,” she said, offering him a small, polite smile.
Erik nodded.“Why don’t you guys take the back door.She shouldn’t have to walk through that place right now.”
For once, Nails agreed with someone who worked there.
“Thanks,” Nails said, and then turned with Riley and guided her toward the back door.
