Page 18 of Imbalanced Minds

The phone blares on my desk, jolting me back to the present and making me knock over and spill the liquid from my coffee cup.

“Ed,” I yell through my office and down the hall to his. “Oi, Ed, answer the damn phone for me will ya, I just spilt coffee all over my goddamn desk.”

Sure enough, the phone stops ringing and moments later he’s rushing into my office. “Cory, there’s been an assault at Seduction. They need extra hands and pronto. The police are already there but the club just rang and asked for extra security to keep everyone from ripping the place to shreds while the cops do their job. C’mon, I’m coming too.”

“What is it with that place?” I ask Ed as I quickly wipe the mess from my desk then grab my work keys and rush out the door.

The good thing about being employed with Scuttle’s Security is that we’ve all got each other’s backs. We’ve become a tight-knit family over the years and in this industry, it pays to at the very least get along.

The car ride to town is used for our debrief. We received confirmation that a young woman was assaulted inside the building. However, it’s unknown if it was a sexual assault or otherwise. Ed mentioned Justin and Gunner are on the door tonight, so they’d be able to fill us in on anything further when we arrived.

Inhaling measured breaths, I grip the steering wheel tighter and bring myself into the zone.

Equipped and ready, I prepare for the onslaught as we pull up to the curb close to the club. As soon as the police see that we’re here, they allow us passage under the tape where the front entrance is now cordoned off and point us in the direction we’re needed.

Once inside we fight our way through the crowd of party-goers and head for the bar; the owner waves us over and lets us know where we are needed as some policemen inside are already interviewing patrons before they can leave while others look to be trying to investigate the scene.

While Ed talks to the old fella, I slowly examine my surroundings, taking in the insanity of these drunk idiots they’re trying to wrangle.

When I’m near done with my scan, I spot Justin cradling someone on the ground with a group of onlookers trying to be nosey.

Before I register my movements, I’m shoving my way through the gathered crowd cursing those who get in my face.

What I see next has me rooted to the spot.

I don’t think there will be any amount of breathing exercises that’ll work this time because what lies mere feet in front of me has my blood boiling and my heart pounding out of control.

For what I see is bigger than any job I’ve ever attended.

“Fuck.” I say in shock.

This job has just become extremely personal.

Everything around me seems to slow down. Seeing Justin holding Iris like this is horrifying; seeing her unmoving and unresponsive is much worse.

A gentle voice calling my name shakes me from my stupor as I turn to see who it is. Nat stares at me with a look of pure fear in her eyes and appears to be carefully restrained by Gunner.

“Please tell me whoever is responsible for hurting my girl is being dealt with?” I bark at her, unsure if it’s me who’s speaking these words.

“I-I-I don’t k-know,” Nat sniffles then bursts into an uncontrollable cry. I look to Gunner, who gives me a nod which silently tells me he has her.

My nails dig into my palms as I clench my fists into balls, needing the pain to ground me, I take the few steps to reach Justin and my girl. Unthinking of what I’ve just called her for the second time I kneel down beside him. Desperately keeping my emotions in check.

“Bro, what the fuck happened and where is the ambo crew? She needs help, we need to get her out of here.”

“Don’t you think I fucking know that! Don’t you think we haven’t already called them! IT’S MY SISTER!” He yells so loud I’m sure everyone in the building hears.

“Fuck, Jay, I’m sorry. I’m angry too. I just arrived to see you holding her. I’m meant to be working but fuck me, I didn’t think this was going to be what we walked in on.” I try calming my voice, much to my dismay. There’s a build-up of liquid behind my eyes, but I refuse to let the moisture drop free.

Without even thinking, I go into crisis mode and do what I came here for. Justin has tried his best to protect her from the crowd but it’s not enough. I start clearing some space around us and get the bar staff to bring some towels so we can cover Iris up and keep her warm. Please, God, I hope this was not a sexual assault; no matter the damage, that bastard will wish he never touched her. If I ever find his face, he’ll wish he was already in Hell.

“Justin, oi Justin,” I speak up with more demand, “these will help cover her up. I just spoke with Ed, he said ETA on the ambo is any minute now. C’mon, we gotta look after our girl.” Shooting me the iciest of glares, Justin doesn’t miss the claim I just lay on Iris. “Not here, bro. We’ll talk when she’s better because she will get better.” I say before the ambulance crew are at our side and checking Iris over ready to take her away.

It’s not long before they have her on a stretcher and put in the back of the ambulance van. One of the crew turns to us and asks which one is coming with them.

“I’m going with her.” I quickly say as I jump in the back.

“Like fuck you are!” Justin roars as he tries to pull me back out.

“Dude, think about it. You were here. You need to talk to the police and see if the bastard who did this has been detained. Plus, your girl is freaking the fuck out and I doubt it’s Gunner’s arms she wants to be in right now, so go and get her, sort this shit out and meet us at the hospital. I’ll keep you updated.” I huff, just as the ambulance doors close.

Being with Iris like this, after what I said to her makes me look like the biggest fraud. I should have let Justin ride with her but the stubborn prick that I am is having none of that.

This girl means more to me than she’ll ever know.

It’s time to man up and get her back.

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