I figured it couldn’t hurt to tell him. “Dylan.”
“I’m Hank.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes.
“You live in Yellow Springs?”
“Passing through.” He sipped his drink. “Been here a few weeks, not sure when I’ll be leaving. That’s up to the boss.”
“I see.” I sipped the beer, trying to will myself to relax. The music was still so loud it was giving me a headache. In the mirror, I noticed other alphas would sometimes start to approach me, but one look from Hank and they’d turn around. He was definitely acting territorial, which annoyed me, but I figured alphas couldn’t help but be that way.
As I sipped the beer Hank had bought me, he asked me questions about Yellow Springs. I didn’t really have much information for him since I rarely came into town. When my drink was half-gone, I began to feel a bit woozy. I was surprised since I could usually hold my booze well. But I was definitely feeling the effects.
“Shit. I think that last drink really hit me.” I pressed my hands to my throbbing temple, noticing the air in the room seemed stifling.
“Is that right?” Hank stared at me with a blank expression.
I slid off my stool, and my legs were like spaghetti. Hank grabbed my arm, and I fell against him.
“Sorry,” I mumbled, trying to stand up straight but finding it impossible.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
“You okay?” the bartender asked.
“He’s fine.” Hank waved her away. “I’ll look after him.”
“I god-a go,” I rasped. My tongue was sluggish, and I found it difficult to form words. The lights seemed too bright, and the room was spinning. “What’s habbening?”
“Just relax, kid. Everything will be fine.” Hank’s hot breath wafted across my cheek.
He sounded way too calm and unconcerned. I knew suddenly that he’d drugged my drink. There was no other explanation for why I was ready to fall on my ass from a beer and a half. I could drink way more than that. I tried to pull away from him, and he held on tight, digging his fingers into my arm.
“Youfucker,” I hissed. “You roofied me?”
His chuckle was malevolent. “I’m gonna enjoy fucking your uptight little ass.”
Fear shot through me, and I started struggling harder. If he got me outside and alone, I was in real trouble. I figured I needed to make my stand now, while I was in public. My vision was so blurry now, I wasn’t sure if people could see what was happening. I probably just looked like I’d had too much to drink and Hank was trying to help me. I opened my mouth, trying to call for help, but nothing came out but gibberish.
Hank half carried and half dragged me toward the door. I tried to kick him, but he was too quick, and I was too uncoordinated. He shoved the door open, and the scent of the damp night mixed with tobacco reached my nostrils. I tried to grab the doorjamb to stop him from pulling me outside, but he was way stronger than me.
“Please.” I managed to force that word from my tight throat.
He just gave that unpleasant laugh again and continued to drag me out into the parking lot. My heart banged so loudly, I was sure he could hear it. I tried again to kick and punch at him, but I missed.
“What the fuck are you doing, Hank?” A familiar male voice came from behind me.
I couldn’t quite place the voice, but I had a glimmer of hope because the person didn’t sound pleased with how Hank was behaving.
“Help me,” I whispered.
“Let him go,” the familiar voice barked.
Hank let go of me immediately, and without Hank holding me up, I crumpled to the ground with a groan.
“He’s a snobby prick,” Hank grumbled. “He needs to be taught a lesson.”
The asphalt was rough against my cheek, and I forced my lids open. Through blurry eyes, I watched a pair of expensive Italian loafers approaching, and then Lex’s blurry face appeared as he knelt over me.
Lex studied me like I was a science experiment, and his expression was perplexing. He didn’t look concerned; he mostly looked pissed. “What did you do to him?”