Rage

Chapter 1

Chapter One

Raine

T he rain hammers against the grimy windows of Double Edged Bar I know next to nothing about him. Still, an instinctive need to hide away from him surfaces. I definitely don’t need more trouble than I’m already in.

Huxley moves through the room with the grace of a panther, every step purposeful and controlled. He has an aura of danger that makes the usual drunks and lowlifes steer clear. I watch him out of the corner of my eye as he takes his spot at the end of the bar, scanning the patrons with a practiced vigilance.

“Another rough night, huh?” comes a voice beside me. I turn to see Bree, a fellow bartender and the closest thing I have to a confidante in this hellhole. Bree’s gaze drops to the fresh bruises peeking out from under my sleeve, and her expression darkens.

“I’m fine,” I lie, forcing a smile that doesn’t reach my eyes. I pull my sleeve down, trying to hide the evidence of Jason’s rage, but she isn’t fooled. Bree opens her mouth to say something, but before she can a commotion erupts near the back of the bar.

The bar is alive with the sound of laughter and clinking glasses, but that all comes to a grinding halt the moment Jason's gruff voice pierces through the ambiance.

"Raine!" he bellows, staggering forward with that familiar swaying gait of his, eyes wild with anger. It feels like time slows as I realize Jason is drunk– again .

Fear clenches my stomach, my body freezes on the spot as the tiniest piece of glass shatters somewhere behind him, a sharp note of danger hanging in the air. My heart skips a beat, its rhythm erratic.

But before I can run, Huxley is already in motion, a silent guardian stepping between Jason and me. His broad shoulders effectively block the view of my boss.

"Leave her alone," Huxley growls, his voice low and menacing, each word a simple command.

Jason doesn't pay heed; his sneer drips with contempt as he tries to push past Huxley, his drunken bravado seeming to make him think he has the upper hand.

"This is my bar, Rhodes. You don’t tell me what to do. Know your fucking place and move aside!"

The crowd holds its breath, their gazes darting between the two men like spectators at a boxing match. Huxley’s grip tightens, catching Jason's wrist in a vice-like hold.

"I said, leave her alone," he repeats, his tone so calm it’s almost chilling.

Jason struggles against the hold, rage visibly bubbling within him.

"I’ll call the cops! You think they will believe a bouncer over the owner? I’ll ruin you!" His threats only thicken the tension, but Huxley’s demeanor remains fearlessly composed.

"Go ahead, Jason. Call them. I’m sure they’d love to hear that you’re threatening your employees. And while you’re at it, maybe you can explain those fresh bruises on Raine’s arms." Huxley's words pierce through Jason’s drunken haze, eliciting shock from the crowd.

Jason’s narrowed eyes dart between Huxley and me, and I can feel the accusation lurking beneath his words.

"So that’s it, huh? You’re screwing him now? You little slut. Of course you’d spread those fat thighs for this punk ass. Just wait until your father hears."

Every word feels like a knife, but the cold grip of fear drowns out any possibility of striking back. My heart races as Huxley’s hand tightens around Jason’s wrist.

"Watch your fucking mouth," he warns, each syllable dripping with barely contained fury.

Jason snarls, wild with rage and embarrassment. He swings his free hand, a chaotic punch directed at Huxley. That’s definitely a wrong move. With an almost effortless twist of his body, Huxley disarms Jason, his other arm moving like lightning to bring Jason's arm behind his back, forcing him to his knees.

The bar erupts in whispers and gasps, patrons mesmerized by the escalating confrontation. Leaning down, Huxley brings his face close to Jason's, the words that follow make the air crackle with tension.

"If you lay a hand on her again, I’ll make sure you regret it."

Jason’s struggles are futile against Huxley’s strength. Humiliated and furious, he manages to push Huxley off just enough to get back on his feet. In an impulsive fury, Jason lunges towards me. My instincts scream at me to jump away, but Huxley is faster. He dives in front of me, delivering a quick elbow strike that hits the bridge of Jason’s nose.

The sickening sound of splintering cartilage echoes in the bar, mingling with Jason's wails as he clutches his face. Blood pours through his fingers, painting a glaring contrast against the dark wood floor—his anger bleeding out just as quickly as his pride.

"You mother fucker!" Jason howls, his voice raw, clinging desperately to what is left of his dignity.

Bree rushes over, her face pale as she assesses the situation. I’m sure she’s deciding whether to call for help or if that would only escalate things further. I stand frozen, my breath caught in my throat.

“Call the cops!” Bree nods shakily then runs the other direction.

t“You’re both f-fired!” he screams, his voice strained. “Pack your shit and get the hell out of here! And Raine, I’m going to tell everyone about your little secret. Let’s see how you manage without me!”

Huxley wraps his arm around Jason’s neck, pulling him into a chokehold. Jason thrashes about trying to regain his footing but it’s a lost cause. His face turns red as he gasps for air, digging his slimy fingers into Huxley’s arms.

I’m motionless, my heart pounding in my chest. Huxley tightens his hold for a moment longer before letting Jason go, watching as he collapses to the floor, unconscious.

“Everyone out!” Huxley shouts at the stunned patrons, but they don’t hesitate to do as they’re told. Everyone runs from the building without looking back.

Huxley turns to me, his eyes softening just a fraction as they meet mine. “Are you okay?” he asks, his voice gentler now, a stark contrast to the lethal force he just displayed.

Anger and fear bubble up inside me. “No, I’m not okay. And thanks to you, I’m in even more danger,” I snap, turning away from him. I need to get the hell out of here fast . I try to think of all the possible places I can hide, but I’m in full panic mode and unable to concentrate. I grab my purse and round the bar toward the exit.

“Why did you do that?” I hiss, my voice trembling in rage. “You don’t know what you’ve done. He’s going to come after me now! You’ve made everything worse!”

Huxley dares to stand in my way, holding up his hands in a quiet gesture of peace. “Raine, let me help you.”

I glare at him, my body shaking with fear and fury. “Help me? You’ve done enough.”

Huxley’s expression hardens, but his voice remains calm. “I won’t let him hurt you. I promise.”

I shake my head, feeling the panic rising. “Well, you’ve been here for a month and haven’t stepped in until tonight. Why the hell would I trust you when you clearly knew what’s been going on?”

He clenches his jaw, clearly unhappy with the way things are playing out. If he thought he could just come in here and play hero one night and then sweep me away like everything is right in the world, then he’s sorely mistaken.

“You’re right,” Huxley says, his voice strained with frustration. “I should have done something sooner. But I had to be careful.” I don’t wait for him to finish his ominous statement as I push past him.

"Raine, wait!" Huxley calls out, but I ignore him, squeezing through the toppled tables and chairs that flew around as people made a fast exit.

As I reach the door, I hear the distant wail of sirens approaching. My heart races, and I freeze. Huxley grabs my arm, his grip firm but not painful.

“What are you doing?” I shout, trying to pull away.

Huxley’s eyes meet mine, filled with a mix of urgency and determination. “I’m not letting you go. It’s not safe.”

I open my mouth to argue, but Huxley is quick. He pulls a filled needle from his pocket and before I can react, he injects something into my neck. I struggle against him, my vision blurring as I try to push him away. My limbs feel heavy, and the room starts to spin.

“Huxley, what did you—” My words slur as the darkness creeps in, my body going limp in his arms.

The last thing I hear before the darkness takes over completely is the sound of the sirens growing louder and Huxley’s voice, a soft whisper in my ear. “I’m sorry, Raine. I’ll keep you safe.”