Rellik(16)

“You’re a regular Prince fucking Charming. This may be hard to believe, but I don’t care what you think of me.”

“If you didn’t care, why’re you so upset?” The sound of a car approaching, its headlights bouncing off the brick exterior, stopped our conversation. I grabbed her wrist and began pulling her between the set of apartment buildings. Our steps quickened, and soon we were jogging as I tried to get my bearings. The last thing I needed was to get arrested in Orlando. We slowed to a normal pace as we reached the next street over. I took my shirt from her hands and pulled it over my head, grimacing as blood from my hand smeared on the collar. My fingers wrapped around her wrist, and she didn’t struggle to free herself from my grip.





Anxiety

Chapter 7—Ella

Anxiety: desire to do something, typically accompanied by unease

My pulse was racing under his fingertips as we walked the perimeter of the building. I was embarrassed that it wasn’t because of what had just happened, but because of how painstakingly handsome he was. His hair was light brown and short but messy, and his blue eyes stood out against his lightly tanned skin. His body was ridiculously toned. He didn’t look like a man you’d picture beating someone into unconsciousness. But I’d learned a long time ago that the most innocent-looking men can be the most vicious. Some of the prettiest people do the ugliest things. Everyone had at least a skeletons or two in his closet.

“This is where I work. You can stop following me now.” I continued along the left side of the building to the employee entrance. As I did, his free hand grabbed the door and held it open. My eyes met his again, and my knees threatened to give out as the pad of his thumb swept over my hand.

“Try to stay out of dark alleys. You never know who is lurking in the shadows.”

I tucked my hair behind my ear as his fingers slid from my wrist. “I’ll do that,” I mumbled as I stepped inside and the door closed between us.

I walked down the long corridor and into the small prep kitchen used to make appetizers. It housed the walk-in freezer.

“You’re late…again.” Maric’s voice stopped me in my path, and I squeezed my eyes closed as I cursed myself under my breath.

“I’m sorry. There was a guy in the alley who tried to get handsy with me.”

He rolled his eyes, and my excuse died in my throat. You could only cry wolf so many times before people stopped listening.

“It won’t happen again.”

“Good. Tonight you can help with the bar and whatever the band needs. The singer is a personal friend of mine, so I expect you to treat him well.”

As he spoke, the door to the bar opened, and in walked the crazy bastard who had saved my ass in the alley.

“Speak of the devil.” Maric’s eyes lit up as he pulled the man in for a quick hug.

“Devil? I prefer God.”

“Jesus Christ, what the hell happened to you?”

“What can I say? I like it rough.” He winked, and my knees threatened to give out. I rolled my eyes as I fought against an audible gagging sound.

“Ella, this is Rellik.”

I struggled to keep from glaring at him.

“Ella.” Rellik said my name as if it were a sin. His lips curled in a devilish smirk as he held out his hand.

“Rellik, as in the guy playing here tonight?” I ground my teeth as I placed my hand in his, the pad of his index finger sweeping over my wrist and causing my cheeks to heat.

“You’re a fan?”

“God no.” Pulling my hand from his, I crossed my arms over my chest.

“Ella is going to be taking care of you, so if you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to ask.” Maric patted Rellik on the shoulder and pushed open the swinging door to the bar. “Ella”—his expression turned serious as he glanced back to me—“play nice.” With that he disappeared, and I was left with the man I tried so desperately to ditch only moments before.

“I love a good plot twist.” Rellik’s grin widened.

“I didn’t really like this job anyway.” I shrugged as I began walking back the long corridor, Rellik at my side. I wanted to scream and flip out. Most of all I wanted to wipe the cocky smirk off Rellik’s ridiculously sexy face. Even with a busted lip, he was fucking beautiful, like a cracked marble statue of a Greek god. Guys like him thought the world turned for them. I hated men like him.

“Why did you help me?” It didn’t make sense for him to risk his freedom over me.

“Because you couldn’t help yourself.”

“No offense, but you don’t seem like the Good Samaritan type.”

He nodded to one of our security guys as we turned right down another hallway. “I’m not.”