Chapter 4
Ari
My band is screaming at me as I fly off the stage and into the fray without a second thought. I already know there will be a lecture from security over the importance of staying in the secured area, but there was no way I could stand there after I just watched that monster of a man hit her.
When our eyes locked, I felt like I was being seen for the first time in my life. Really seen. Bones, soul, and all. I wouldn’t stand around if a brute hit any woman at my show and I saw it. But this feels bigger.
Right after his giant fist connected with the side of her head, I saw red. As I was rushing toward her, I saw multiple men tackle him to the ground. The girl she was with caught her and is sitting with her protectively laid in her lap, while others stand guard around them.
Security finally reached the meathead and lugged him out, kicking and screaming about his girlfriend.
Well, that’s not what I wanted to hear. Nonetheless, I make my way past the patrons that have formed a protective ring around my still unconscious mystery girl.
Holding my hands up in surrender when her friend’s glare slices through me, I kneel beside them.
“Is she okay?” It’s all I can ask as I stare at her closed eyes and chest, steadily rising and falling.
Her icy friend thaws a bit at my words, quickly followed by realization. Her jaw drops, mouth hanging open, and her eyes dart around to see if I’m really standing here, but just as she starts to speak, the medical team finally makes it through the crowd to us.
Erica. I hear her friend, Max, tell the team their names, and his.
Vann. He even sounds like a douchebag. She recounts the entire situation, not leaving out how much she despises that man and how he always treats her best friend this way, but that to her knowledge this is the first time he’s ever hit her.
I’m swarmed with an overwhelming urge to care for her. Protect her. Be everything she needs.
Whoa, that came out of nowhere.
I look back down at Erica in awe. Surely, it’s not possible.
I try to push away the rush of emotions at the possibility that I may have done the very thing that I just wished that I could.
I won’t know until I can touch her—which I won’t do without her consent—and smell her.
Only those two things can tell me for certain if she’s my mate.
My thoughts crash around me the moment she gasps, attempts to fly from her friend’s lap, then hisses, holding her head. I immediately drop back into a crouch beside her as Max whispers that she has her, to relax. The medical team wants to look her over.
Her sky-blue eyes are confused and lined with unshed tears, her brow furrowed as she looks around and tries to piece together what happened.
I can see the second it comes back to her.
Her eyes widen; she gasps, her hand flying to her mouth, followed by body-wracking sobs as she leans into her friend.
Max doesn’t miss a beat, wrapping her arms tightly back around Erica, shushing her, rocking her slightly, and rubbing one hand up and down her back, whispering that everything will be okay.
Me? I’m just standing there like an idiot. I stood to give her space when she got upset, but I can’t bear the thought of letting her out of my sight and somehow losing her forever.
The medics return with a gurney, requesting to take her to the hospital by ambulance to get her properly looked over to make sure that she’s okay. She politely tries to object, but her friend is able to convince her to go by promising to go with her.
What do I do? The show isn’t over. But I can’t stand the thought of watching her drive away without me. Think, think, think. That’s it!
“Is there anything I can do to help?” My voice squeaks, sounding like a mid-puberty boy whose voice is changing. My cheeks warm but I stand tall.
It’s then that Erica realizes I’m here, but the reaction isn’t what I expected or hoped for. She’s utterly mortified. Her jaw hangs open, and fresh tears fill her eyes as she gapes at me.
“I wanted to be sure you were okay.” I say, managing a stronger voice that sounds much more like my own. She doesn’t say anything while they gently load her onto the gurney, so I add, “Would you like me to bring your car to the hospital after the show?”
Erica continues to gape, so Max steps in. With slightly narrowed eyes that feel like she’s reading my mind for hints of deceit or ill intent, she pulls out a phone. “What is your phone number?”
A bit confused as to why she’s asking for my number, I ask, “Why?”
She cocks her hip, planting a hand there, and her face tells me she’s reconsidering because I must be stupid. “How would you know which car is hers, where it is, or which hospital they’re taking her to?”
Rubbing the back of my neck I say, “Ah, yes. That would help . . . wouldn’t it?
Could I?” I hold my hand out for her phone, not exactly wanting to provide it to everyone still intent on watching the scene unfold.
When I hand the phone back to Max, she texts me the instructions, then to my unexpected delight, hands the phone back to Erica who still won’t look at me.
Max gently reaches into Erica’s pocket and hands me a small rhinestone key fob.
“I’ll bring it by and check on you as soon as the show is over. I promise.” Erica pops her head up a bit, but her cheeks quickly turn pink once more as security starts barking at me to get back on stage.
I listen because I must. I’m already in enough trouble after that stunt, but if she’s really my mate it will be worth every bit of it.
I glance back over my shoulder once more when I’m back up on the stage to see Erica being loaded into the ambulance. I have never been so ready to get a show over with in my entire life.