Page 21 of Unruly Protector
I take a seat next to her and place the back of my hand against her forehead.“You’re burning up, why did you come in the first place when you’re clearly not feeling well?”
“Why do you think?I’m the one who made all the arrangements, I can’t be sick,” she complains and her shoulders sag.
I put my arm around her.“You need to get home, crawl underneath the blankets, and focus on getting better.Otherwise you’re going to miss the wedding.”
Her eyes widen, clearly horrified with the mere thought of missing the wedding.She’s such an amazing woman and has become a friend since the moment we met.
“Just don’t worry, okay?I’m sure you’ll be okay after a good night’s sleep.”I direct my attention to Henley.“You better drag her out of here before she feels obligated to stay for one drink.”
“We can stay for one drink,” Gracy instantly states.
Flora pats her hand.“No, Gracy.Listen to Caterina.If you get some rest now, you’ll be well in time for the wedding.Beck and I will stay and have a few drinks and then we will all go home.”
Henley takes her hand and drags her off, but not before I make her promise to call me in the morning.
Donya is talking with Mattia who gives our drink order to the waitress.Beck is sitting right next to Flora when she starts to rave about her animal shelter called Winnie’s place.When she mentions being in need of volunteers my heart squeezes painfully.
“I would love to volunteer, but I think at this point Clemente might get a little overwhelmed if I committed myself to new tasks.Even if I would love nothing more than to help.”
Beck leans forward and places his elbows casually on his knees.This man has a slight accent and somehow makes words flow out in a soothing way when he says, “Pretty sure Clemente is okay with you volunteering.In fact, he was the one who suggested it in the first place and the reason we brought it up.”
Confusion hits me.“Clemente actually suggested for me to volunteer at the animal shelter?Are you sure?”Who am I kidding?I shouldn’t be questioning it in the first place.“Never mind.I accept.Let me know when and where you need me,” I rush out, making both of them smile.
Flora continues to explain and before I know it, I’ve consumed three drinks and really need to pee.I glance at Mattia who is leaning against the wall.Donya is talking to Beck.Donya spent six weeks in France last year and those two have been talking about France for at least the last thirty minutes.
“Bathroom break,” I tell Flora.“I’ll be right back.”
She gives me a warm smile and I make my way toward Mattia.“You and me, farts and pee.”
Mattia snorts and shakes his head.“Classy, Caterina.”
“Hey,” I fake scold.“Your boss is the one telling me you have to listen to me pee.I’m not to be alone, remember.”
He’s still shaking his head when we stroll through the busy nightclub to head for the bathroom.
Mattia checks the bathroom and there’s only one girl in there when we go inside.I try to apologize but the girl gives me a wink and two thumbs up.Ugh.She probably thinks I’m going to get laid within the next few minutes.
I slide into one of the bathroom stalls and quickly do my business.Swinging the door open, I stroll over to the sink and wash my hands.I hear the door opening and another male voice rings out.I don’t even have the time to think “How weird for another man to enter the ladies’ room,” before a gunshot bursts through the air.
My head swings left and I recognize the shooter as Daniel Sneyder, the drug dealer and the ex of Beck’s sister Ivy.Another gunshot cracks and I see red blossom through Daniel’ shirt.
With wet hands I reach inside my purse and try to find the tiny handgun Clemente makes me carry with me at all times.I watch with horror as Daniel shifts his arm and aims his gun right at me while I flip the safety off my gun.
“Clemente took one of us, now I’m taking two of his,” Daniel says.
I barely manage to squeeze the trigger but another gunshot fills the air before the bullet leaves my gun.
