Page 103 of Under His Protection
Charlie walks up to our table. “Good evening, sir. Can I get you something to drink?”
She’s a great actor. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear she was a real server.
“I’ll have a Coke,” Christian says as he nods to my glass. “Is that what you’re having?”
I nod as Charlie walks away to get Christian’s drink.
“Why are you stalking me?” I ask. I figure I might as well get to the point.
“I wanted to get your attention. It worked, didn’t it?” His smile is so smug.
“You’ve been terrorizing me, and you think it’s funny?” I can’t help that my voice is shaking.
“God, you’re beautiful when you’re mad.” He lays his hand palm up on the table and wiggles his fingers. “Who can blame me, Haley? The moment I first laid eyes on you, I knew we were meant to be together.”
“You know I have a boyfriend.” It gives me comfort to know Philip is listening.
Christian scoffs. “Boyfriends come and go, Haley. Once you realize how perfect we are for each other, you’ll dump the big lug.”
“Perfect? You couldn’t be more wrong. You don’t even know me.”
“I know enough. You’re gorgeous, and you’re smart as hell. And we’d besogood together. All I’m asking for is a chance.”
His hand is still palm up on the tablecloth, but he’s nuts if he thinks I’ll actually touch him.
“Go out with me, Haley. Get to know me better, because once you do, I know you’ll agree with me.”
“Christian, you need to stop this. I’m not interested in you, and I never will be.”
“Let’s get out of here, okay? Just the two of us. We can get a motel room, spend some quality time together and get to know each other better. I promise it’ll be great between us. I know how to treat a woman.” He wags his tongue at me. “I’ll make you come so many times you won’t be able to see straight.”
“You’re disgusting.”
His smile fades as his eyes narrow on me. “You get off on teasing me, don’t you?” His expression transforms instantly, from jovial to something bordering on menacing. “We’re leaving now,” he says as he grits his teeth. “You’ll do exactly as I say.”
“Or what?”
Christian is transforming before my eyes into someone I’ve never met. But I’m not afraid. My dad is seated right behind me, an arm’s length away. And Philip is in the kitchen, probably desperate to get out here and deal with Christian himself.
“You want to knowor what? I’ll show you.” Christian holds my gaze as he casually opens his jacket, displaying the butt of a black handgun tucked into a chest holster.
The sight of a gun sucks all the air out of me, and a cold shiver crawls down my spine.A gun.Someone could get hurt.
“I wanted to do this the easy way, Haley, but you’re not making that possible. You and I areleaving.”
My heart stutters painfully. “Are you serious? You broughta gunto a restaurant?” This asshole has tormented me long enough. I’mdone! “Are you insane? What are you going to do?Shoot me?”
Chapter 31 – Philip
“Gun!” Jake barks over the comms. “Mateo, go!”
This is the signal I’ve been waiting for. We all have. Once we realize Christian is armed, it’s imperative we get Haley out of range.
Mateo is positioned closest to Christian. He pulls Christian off his chair and slams him face down on the floor. After he drives a knee into the middle of Christian’s back, he pins Christian’s arms behind him.
Mack is already on his feet. He pulls Haley from her seat and shoves her toward Charlie, who’s waiting to hustle her to safety. Charlie rushes Haley into the kitchen and right into my waiting arms. As much as I want to go out there and beat Christian senseless, my priority is Haley.
“It’s Christian!” she cries, quite unnecessarily.
