Chapter 20
CHAPTER 20
MEREDITH
T he bass thrummed through my body as I moved on the dance floor, the lights creating halos around everything. Sofia twirled beside me, her curls bouncing as she matched my rhythm. We'd both opted to leave our hair out for this occasion, and she'd even curled mine. With her skill with make-up and my hair, I looked like a model, not that I even cared anymore. I'd lost count of how many drinks we'd had – cosmos from the banker at the bar who tried his luck with Sofia before he left, martinis from the lawyer who couldn't take his eyes off Sofia still, shots from the group of guys celebrating a promotion who had danced with us for a bit before moving onto another group of women.
"Careful," Sofia warned as another man approached, his eyes fixed on me. She was still surprisingly alert, while I floated in a pleasant haze of alcohol and music. I needed to forget about everything right now, to feel free and away from it all.
To take a step back to a time that was easier.
"I'm fine," I laughed, accepting the drink he offered. Sofia smoothly intercepted it, moving too fast for me to pull it away.
"Sorry, hon, but she's not taking any drinks now, unless we come to the bar and watch it get made," she stated as she offered it back to him.
"Gotta be safe, I understand," he said with a nonchalant shrug before taking a mighty swig of the drink.
Earlier, she'd sent some guy packing when his hands had gotten too friendly during a dance. She was a good friend like that, willing to step in when needed. Like my own personal pitbull.
I smirked at the thought before taking the now half empty glass from him. If he was willing to drink it, then the likelihood of it being spiked was low. Besides, Roman was seated right at the bar, keeping a watchful eye like the good little soldier he was. If anything happened to me, he'd step right in, or Sof.
I was as safe as I could be here.
I didn't care about their protectiveness right now. After everything – Logan's betrayal, being shot at, the recovered memories, the whole mess with Leo – the attention felt good. Validating. These men looked at me like I was desirable, not broken or fragile or in need of protection.
Sofia rolled her eyes, but she was smiling as she moved away, finding a new dance partner as the newcomer informed me of his name, which was mostly drowned out by the music and the alcohol pumping through me.
"Are you having fun?" he all but yelled in an attempt to be heard over the music, dipping his head down to my ear.
"Sure, I need to let loose." I downed the rest of his glass – bourbon mixed with coke it seemed – before placing it on a nearby table and continuing to move to the beat. I knew my moves were no longer smooth and graceful, the alcohol had made them more jerky, but I didn't care.
Not tonight.
The guy – Jack? James? – pressed closer as the music changed to something slower. It was okay at first, how he held me and moved with me, but that turned quickly. His hands began to trail over me, too insistent, too demanding.
"Stop, I just want to dance," I stated as I caught his hand gliding down to the curve of my ass.
"I thought we were letting loose?" His warm breath washed over my ear, and I swallowed. I tried to catch Sofia's eye, but she was wrapped up with her own admirer, though I noticed she still maintained some distance between them. Lucky her.
"I should get back to my friend," I said, trying to step away. The room spun slightly, reminding me how much I'd had to drink. Maybe downing his drink wasn't as good of an idea as it had seemed at the time.
"Come on, beautiful." His grip tightened on my waist. "One more dance."
"No, I really should?—"
His mouth crashed into mine, one hand gripping my face to hold me still. The taste of bourbon on his tongue made me gag as I tried to jerk away, but his fingers dug into my cheeks.
"Stop—" I tried to speak against his mouth, panic rising as he attempted to deepen the kiss. The pleasant buzz of alcohol turned to nausea as his other hand slid lower.
"Meredith!" Sofia's voice cut through the music, but she sounded far away.
I struggled harder, tears pricking at my eyes as his grip grew painfully tight. The lights and music swirled around me as fear replaced the carefree feeling I'd been chasing all night.
So much for a night to forget.
Maybe the prick would try to shove his tongue down my throat and I could give him a love bite to remember this moment by. A reason to not try this stunt again.
Through my blurred vision, movement drew my eyes to the side, where Leo materialized like an avenging angel. A very pissed off angel.
Perfect timing.
Relief swept through me as he yanked the guy away, and he stepped between us, his presence commanding even in the chaotic club atmosphere.
"You're lucky I don't cut your tongue out for that stunt," Leo's voice was sharp, and carried over the music. "Get out. Now. Or I'll make you wish you never even looked her way."
I stepped closer to Leo, gripping onto his arm as I steadied myself. Despite everything, he was a strange comfort in this moment, one I desperately needed.
The guy started to protest, drawing himself up, but then his eyes caught on Leo's exposed forearms, the intricate tattoos visible where he'd rolled up his sleeves. His gaze traveled to Leo's partially unbuttoned shirt, fixing on the 'Die Last' ink visible on his chest. Whatever fight he'd planned died in his throat, and he practically fled through the crowd.
Leo turned to me, his eyes hard as steel in the pulsing lights of the club. "If this is how you need to cope, fine." His jaw ticked as he glanced over my shoulder. "But be smarter about it."
I let go of his arm, standing before him in the moving sway of the crowd, taking him in. His suit jacket was gone, and the rolled up sleeves and partially open shirt made him look far too fine. And deadly, showing off those tattoos. Maybe it was the alcohol or the protective side of him that was making me take a moment to appreciate him, but when I met his gaze once more, my stomach dropped. He looked pissed, which was not something I'd expect from Leo, Mr. Stone Cold Emotional Control by bottling it up. Then again, according to my memories, he could be a violent person too. A fatal one.
Without another word, he turned away and moved to the bar, settling onto a stool next to Roman, who had stepped into the crowd but was now slipping back to his seat.
So, he'd been coming to my rescue before Leo took charge. That was good to know.
Leo looked back over at me with those piercing eyes before he waved the bartender over for a drink.
I forced myself to turn away from his scrutiny, hating the way his appearance had both comforted and distressed me. Why? Was it because it had been something I'd oddly wanted? Or because he looked pissed off? Was he mad at me for sending him away? For coming out drinking and putting myself in this situation?
"Are you okay?" Sofia appeared at my side, her face pinched with worry. "I saw that guy kiss you, I tried to reach you, but then Leo was here. Why the hell is he here? Not that I'm not glad he sent that guy running, but still. We can go somewhere else?—"
"What's the point?" I gestured vaguely toward Leo and Roman. "They'll just follow."
"Mer..."
"Let's just have fun here. Ignore them." I grabbed her hand, stepping further onto the dance floor and facing away from the bar. "I need this, Sof. Please."
She nodded reluctantly, and we lost ourselves in the music again. But now I was hyper aware of Leo's presence. I could feel his gaze tracking my movements as we danced. I wasn't sure how it made me feel, knowing he was here, watching over me despite me telling him he couldn't pursue me. Was he doing this to look out for me as his best friend's sister?
We both knew that wasn't the case, but we could pretend. But his watchful eye didn't go unnoticed. Every time a man approached, they'd suddenly think better of it, no doubt catching Leo's warning look from the bar. Twice, he stepped onto the floor and caught men headed my way, directing them to leave me alone so I could focus on Sofia.
She didn't care too much, although she'd lost her own dance partners because of him. How she felt about that, it was hard to tell, since we were too busy dancing together.
When we finally headed to the bar for another drink, Leo caught the bartender before we could pay, covering our drinks.
I wanted to say something, but he didn't give me a chance, not even bothering to give me a glance as he nursed his own drink and spoke quietly with Roman. It was only when I was back on the dance floor that I felt his heated gaze on me once more.
Part of me wanted to be angry at his interference, at his constant protection. But another part, the part still swimming in alcohol and adrenaline, felt oddly safe knowing he was there.
Even when I was pushing him away, he was still watching over me.
And it left me feeling like an even bigger mess and more torn on everything.
The night finally wound down a few more drinks and hours later, and I was riding my buzz happily. Leo had even sent Roman over to us with glasses of water, saying we needed them. Sofia had sighed and rolled her eyes dramatically before accepting, giving Leo a pointed look. He was still posted at the bar, where he'd been for hours. I'd thanked Roman, lifting the drink up in a cheers manner for Leo, who just watched me with a masked expression.
"I think we should call it," I said as Sofia staggered on her heels, catching my arm to steady herself. She'd ended up having a few more drinks than me, and I half-wondered if it was in defiance of Leo's meddling. Then again, I'd done the same.
"Yeah, probably, they'll be closing soon anyway," Sofia slurred as she straightened herself.
"We should probably get food on the way home," I mused, grateful I'd stopped a few drinks before Sofia and stuck to water after Roman's offering.
"Mmm, I'd kill for a burger." She grinned as she hooked her arm through mine, and I chuckled as we headed for the exit.
It was too much to think we'd escape without our nightly shadows.
Leo appeared beside us before we even reached the door. "I take it it's time to go. We'll drive you."
"We can get a ride," I protested, but I stumbled, the world tilting with my buzz, causing Sofia and I to chuckle.
We were absolute messes right now, but we'd had fun.
"I wasn't asking." Leo caught my other arm, steadying me, while Roman stepped up beside Sofia.
"Ah, right, our wicked knight is here to save us," Sofia snorted and smirked at Leo. "Will you both be getting us some burgers too? Giving us the full princess treatment?" She turned to Roman, holding onto his arm for support.
I laughed at Roman's weary expression as Leo sighed and helped get us out the door.
"Sure, we can do that," Roman said once we'd stepped into the cool early night air.
The sudden temperature shift helped sober me slightly, and I glanced up at Leo beside me, his expression blank.
Roman hurried off, to bring the car around most likely, and Sofia moved closer.
"Bit chilly this late," she mused.
"Early," Leo muttered.
"What?" Sofia frowned and leaned forward to look at him past me.
"It's early morning, nearly two," he clarified, and Sofia scoffed.
"It's dark, who cares." She waved him off.
"Thank you," I murmured as my haze cleared for a moment. "For dealing with that guy earlier."
"Which one?" Leo's tone was dark, and my brows drew together as I watched him. He wouldn't even look at me despite how he held me steady.
Was he that upset with me? If so, why the hell was he even here?
I huffed, partly wanting to cause a scene, but also wanting to hurry up and eat. I was suddenly starving, and a burger did sound good.
"Can't escape our shadows, now can we?" Sofia mused out loud, and I smiled, finding it funny how she was speaking the same thoughts I'd had earlier about our two watchers.
But Leo didn't seem to think so as he glanced over at her, and I arched a brow at the look they shared.
Roman pulled up before us just in time, and we loaded in, making sure we had all our things.
Roman had barely pulled away from the curb before Sofia dissolved into giggles, recounting the night's events. She was still finding one of her dance partners hilarious, especially since he'd slipped in a spilled drink right after saying he would sweep her off her feet. I'd missed the fall, but I had turned around in time to hear her say 'Really? Looks like someone's doing it to you!'
"Well, in the words of my mother - one day, Sofia, you'll find a good man," Sofia said, her expression poised as she mimicked her mother.
"Just not tonight." I chuckled as Sofia broke and laughed.
"Hell no. I'm not finding my man in a damn club. He's going to be a surgeon of some kind, maybe a heart surgeon," she said as she created a heart shape with her hands and burst into giggles.
"What burgers do you want?" Leo asked with an exasperated sigh as the car pulled up.
It took me a moment to realize we were in the drive-thru of some fast food joint.
"Ooooh, I want the Deluxe one, in a combo, large fries," Sofia said excitedly as she squinted at the menu board through the window.
"Make it two, please," I added.
Leo didn't respond, just indicated with his hand for Roman to continue forward. I watched him in the passenger seat, his eyes focused on the road ahead as Roman gave our order.
Leo's jaw ticked rhythmically, tension evident in every line of his body. Guilt gnawed at me – he was still protecting me despite how I'd pushed him away, still watching over me even when I'd told him to let me go.
This wouldn't be easy for him. Seeing other men come after me. Then again, I'd not asked him to be there tonight. That was his choice.
I turned to stare out the window instead, hating the turmoil within me that wasn't from the alcohol. I had no idea how to feel about him, and it was eating me up.
Thankfully, food came as a welcome distraction, and I focused on eating while Sofia chatted about how we should do this again sometime, it was fun, even with our watchers.
Leo cast her a displeased look, but she either didn't notice or chose to ignore it as she continued rambling about some patient she'd looked after who'd been a mental case after too much drug use. She went into a little too much detail on his spitting and lack of toilet control, and how they'd needed a whole team to secure him to the bed for his own safety.
Just another day in the ward apparently.
And yet, despite the graphic ramblings, I couldn't keep myself from glancing at Leo in my still buzzed state.
All I wanted to know, was what was going on in that head of his.