Page 16 of Primary Seduction
He slid out of the booth and stood quickly, turning to them without hesitation. “Trent, no.” Logan’s voice carried to him, but he wasn’t going to listen when a girl was being harassed.
“What t’hell d’ya think you’re doin’?” His voice didn’t come out as sober as he’d hoped.
The guy turned his head towards him without letting go of the girl. “None of your business, old man. Take a hike.” He turned back to the girl, getting in her face again.
Trent saw the terror on the girl’s face and stepped forward, pulling on the guy’s shoulder. “Leave her ‘lone.”
The guy shook him off. “I said, back off. She’s my girl. I’ll deal with her.” The guy began to pull the girl away from the wall as if he would drag her out of there—which he was probably going to try.
“Stop!” Trent grabbed the guy’s bicep and pulled him around to face him, not letting go this time. “Let her go.” He was getting more sober by the minute.
The guy pushed at Trent’s chest, causing him to stumble backwards, only being stopped by whoever was behind him. He was about to start forward again when an arm sliding across his chest stopped him.
“Martin. Why don’t you let the girl go now, eh? And we’ll forget this all happened.” Logan’s voice passed by Trent’s ear, and he relaxed marginally.
“She’s my girl, Detective. All I wanna do is see her home safe and sound. That’s all.” The guy—Martin—spread his hands out in front of him, a gesture of innocence.
“Let me be the judge of that, Martin.” Logan stepped forward, side by side with Trent now. “Miss, do you want to go with Martin, or would you prefer a different escort this evening?”
The girl looked at Logan, then at Trent, then at Martin as they all looked back at her awaiting her answer. Trent knew the minute she’d made up her mind—and his heart sank.
“I’ll go with Martin. Everything’s fine, Officer.”
Trent saw the look of triumph on Martin’s face, which was quickly replaced with a sheen of patience. “See, Detective. Nothin’ to worry ‘bout.”
“Uh-huh. Miss, I will check on you tomorrow. Please make sure you answer.” Logan’s voice was hard and unflinching, and he saw the panic cross the girl’s face. “What’s your name?”
“Monica,” she answered quietly. “Monica DeLuna.”
“Thank you, Monica. I’ll be in touch tomorrow.”
Martin and Monica left, and Trent whirled on Logan. “Why did you let him go? He was going to hurt her.”
“I know he was. And now he isn’t going to be able to because too many people saw him with her, and I will be checking up on her tomorrow. If she has one bruise to show or doesn’t turn up at all, the finger will be pointed at him by many witnesses. Tomorrow, I will be able to have a talk with her and try to get her to tell me what he’s been doing to her.”
“But—” Trent began.
“No, Trent. There was nothing to be done tonight. All you would have done is ended up in a fight that you wouldn’t have won in your state.”
Trent hated that he was right, so went back to the booth and sat down. He gestured to Gemma as she passed that he wanted a refill.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Logan asked as he sat back down.
“Nope, but I’m going to anyway.”
“What’s going on with Max?”
Trent coughed up some of the beer he’d just started to swallow. “What do you mean? There is nothing going on between me and Max!” He may have said that a little loud if the number of people who turned to look at them was anything to go by.
Logan raised his eyebrows. “I never said there was anything going on between you. I wondered if you knew anything about the guy that was with him.”
Trent shook his head. “Nope, never seen or heard of him before.”
“Hmm. He seemed nice enough.” Logan stared at Trent, and it made him a little uncomfortable. “He’s probably having fun with him right now.” Logan laughed.
Trent huffed out a breath. “He should be at home,” he mumbled to himself.
“Why should he be at home? Why don’t you want him to have fun?” Logan’s questions were beginning to annoy Trent, especially when he hadn’t meant for his words to be heard.
