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Raeann’s face morphs into anger, and before I can step in, she pulls her shoulders back. “Actually, yes, they did scare me. They’re little boys in mature bodies who think they can say and do whatever they want. I worry that their small heads will make them do something horrible.” She peers at their crotches, making no mistake about what she really thinks is small. “You have no right to comment on someone else’s body. You should be ashamed of yourselves.”
“We’re so sorry,” the only decent one says.
His friend snarls. “Ah, fuck this. You’re a stupid cunt.”
The decent one turns toward him to try to calm him down, but I’m already there. I shove him, and he flies back into the cement pillar.
The security guard steps between us. “Hey, hey, hey.” Another guard appears out of nowhere and pulls me away, escorting us inside after receiving instructions from the first.
My hands continue to ball into fists. I peer over my shoulder to find another guard has arrived from the opposite direction, and they’re both dealing with the unruly trio.
When we get inside, the general manager and a woman from the front desk approach. The manager opens his mouth to speak, but I interrupt him. “I want them removed from the premises.”
“Micah,” Raeann says next to me, tugging on my sleeve.
“They belittled her, and I won’t feel safe having her stay here if they’re not removed.”
“Micah.” Raeann tries again, but I’m giving the hotel staff the stare down.
“Ma’am, are you okay?”
The front desk attendant steps toward Raeann, but I move in front of her, capturing Raeann’s cheek and making her look at me. Her eyes are blown wide, and she claws at her throat. “She has panic attacks,” I explain.
We do the breathing exercise again, but it doesn’t work as fast. Outside, a commotion still sounds. There are too many things going on, and Raeann’s gaze darts everywhere but mine.
“I’m going to take her up to the room,” I announce. “I’ll be back down to talk this through.”
Without waiting for approval, I move Raeann to the elevator. On the ride up, her lids flutter closed and she focuses on her breath. When the door dings for the top floor, I sweep her off her feet and carry her into our room.
I somehow manage to get the door open, close and lock it, and carry her to the bed without too much jostling. I lay herdown and cuddle in next to her, wishing Athena was here. My heart beats like crazy in my chest while I watch her struggle for breath, her chest heaving. “Do you want your pills?”
She shakes her head. “Just hold me and breathe again.”
We do that, lying on the bed together. It takes fifteen minutes before she calms down. I feel the moment she regains control over her body all the way to my toes. It’s like a switch flips.
Her eyes flutter open, and she squeezes my hand. “You scared me.”
“I did?”
“When you pushed that asshole.”
“He deserved it.”
“I got worried.” She closes her eyes right away and takes another deep breath.
Fuck. I hadn’t thought of that. Those guys didn’t look menacing at all, just a threesome of uber masculine fuckboys, but I could see how Raeann would think them a threat. “I’m sorry. I reacted because no one gets to talk to you like that.” If she wasn’t there, I would’ve done a lot more than just shove that loser, that’s for sure.
I stare at her, brushing my thumb over her cheek. “I’m proud of you for sticking up for yourself.”
She relaxes a little more, and I take my cues from her body. Even breaths, soft shoulders. Raeann is a fighter, and she’ll never cease to amaze me.
“I’m going to go downstairs and deal with this, then I’m coming back up to make sure you forget about everything that just happened. If you’re up for it.”
“Up for it? I think it’s your reward for defending my honor.”
I kiss her cheek. “Then I’ll only be gone five minutes before I demand my prize.”
She smiles at me, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. Her gaze searches my face, and I can’t help but think there’s somethingon her mind other than the fact that people exist like the poor excuses for humans down there.