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A shiver ripples over my skin and my breath hitches. My heart is pounding so loud, it’s almost in time with the bass of the music playing loudly over the club’s speakers. My dick is now painfully hard, throbbing with a desperate urge to be touched.

Just as I’m about to respond, all hell breaks loose. The frat boy sitting on the end, closest to the dancefloor, puts his hand on Indie’s arse, and in the quickest reaction I’ve seen, she slaps him around the face.

Both Jacob and I fly out of our seats, rushing across the club in a desperate attempt to reach Indie before things get worse. I see my security team rushing over from the opposite direction, having witnessed the altercation too.

I’m the first to reach them, and as soon as I have Indie within my grasp, I wrap my arms around her and pull her away. I push her behind me, protecting her with my body.

I expect to turn around and find Jake doing the same. Instead, he’s launching himself at the preppy idiot who dared to touch what doesn’t belong to him.

Jake lands his first punch with a striking blow, and blood pours from the guy’s nose as he screams, but Jake isn’t finished. He gets at least another four hits in before security reaches us,while the guy’s friends just stand there frozen, watching their friend get the shit kicked out of him.

I keep Indie tucked away behind me as I move backwards, taking her further away from any danger. I then reach over and grab Jake, just as he’s preparing to throw another punch, wrapping my hand around his wrist to hold him back.

He turns to glare at me as my security staff reaches us. As soon as they see it’s me taking care of Jake, they turn their attention back to the other men, one of whom is a bloody mess.

“Get them all the fuck out of here,” I shout to my team, who nod in acknowledgment. “And make sure they know they’re never welcome back.”

I hear the other guys, who are with their friend, trying to argue with security, saying it’s unfair that they should be punished for his behaviour.

We’re one of the best clubs in Blackthorn, so of course they don’t want a lifetime ban, but I really don’t give a shit. They should pick their company better.

As I pull him backwards, Jake continues to struggle, trying to get away from me. He’s so fired up still, I know it won’t take much for him to lose it again. I have to get him away from this shitshow, and fast.

I drag him down the staff only corridor, heading straight for my office, motioning for Indie to follow behind us. She shuffles reluctantly, her head drooped as she stares at the ground the whole time, looking like a child who’s been told to go to the headteacher’s office to get told off.

I can feel the rage practically vibrating off Jake as I push him into my office, closing the door once Indie has followed us in. I push him into one of the chairs, glaring at him when he attempts to argue with me.

Turning to Indie, I place a hand on her cheek, rubbing my thumb over her soft skin, as I tilt her chin until she meets mygaze. She’s trembling slightly, biting on her bottom lip, but I’m relieved to see she’s not crying.

“Are you okay, Gorgeous Girl? Did you get hurt?” I ask, running my fingers over her arms, dragging my gaze over every inch of her body as I assess for injuries.

She shakes her head, letting go of her bottom lip as she says, “No, I’m just a little shook up.”

I turn and glare at Jake, before looking back at her. “I’m guessing that arsehole jumping in and throwing punches didn’t help?” I say accusingly.

Jake looks like he’s about to argue, but the death glare I throw his way makes it clear he needs to remain silent, and thankfully, he listens. Indie gives him a small, reassuring smile that seems to calm his rage just a little.

When she speaks, although it’s about Jake, she aims it at me, no doubt making it easier for her to vocalise what’s on her mind.

“I’m glad Jake tried to help me, but then I became more worried about him, thinking he was going to get hurt. There was a lot of chaos and violence, and that was quite scary for me. It triggered my anxiety a little.”

Jake’s face falls at Indie’s confession, and he looks sheepish. I give him a pointed glare, which only makes him appear more ashamed.

“I’m sorry I made the situation worse for you, Indie. That was never my intention. I just wanted to protect you.” Jake’s voice cracks at the end, the weight of his emotions hitting him, and I watch as his anger bleeds out of him, leaving behind a deflated man.

Indie walks over to where he’s sitting and kneels between his legs. She places her hand over his, squeezing it to get his attention. The smile she gives him is so sweet, I almost feel like I’m spying on a private moment.

“I know, and I’m grateful for you looking out for me,” she tells him, meaning every word.

Indie then leans forward and presses a sweet kiss to Jake’s lips, and as she pulls away, he seems to breathe a sigh of relief. It also appears to have helped calm Indie too, as when she straightens up, she pulls her shoulders back, as though steeling her nerves.

“Okay, I’m ready to get back to work,” she states confidently, her voice not shaking in the slightest.

As soon as she turns to walk towards the door, Jake shouts, “No!” We both turn to look at him, stunned by his outburst. “You should go home and rest,” he says in a normal volume.

Indie glares at him, shaking her head. “I don’t need to rest. I’m feeling fine now, so I can get back to work.”

Jake tries to say more, but I cut him off, stopping him before he says something he can’t undo. “There’s no reason she can’t go back to work. You saw how quickly my security team reacted. She will be safe.”