Chapter5 " How about this , " Sienna said brightly . " Chase , come with me to the hospital for my dad , and Lydia can cover my shift . " " I'm not doing that . " Lydia's voice came out like ice , flat and final . Sienna's tears fell harder , shoulders shaking . " Lydia ... please . Just this once . " " Lydia , " Chase added quickly , " help her out , okay ? Her dad's in critical condition - this is life or death . I'll make it up to you with that new bag you wanted , yeah ? " Lydia jerked her hand out of his . She stared at him , disbelief stealing her words . " Enough - we'll do it this way , " Chase said , sliding an arm around her shoulders and steering her toward the floor manager . Sienna trailed after them , ducking her head again and again , whispering thanks through her sniffles . The floor manager - a stern middle - aged woman - looked Lydia up and down , then shot Sienna a glare . " You're nothing but trouble . Fine . Go change . " " Thank you , Mrs. Dalton ! " Sienna chirped , then grabbed Chase's arm and hurried out with him . The server uniform itched and hung wrong on frame . The fabric was rough , the fit boxy . She had never done work like this - threading through VIP suites with a heavy tray of bottles and glasses at Eclipse Lounge . Within minutes , her back throbbed . On her third run into the largest VIP suite , one of the guests - a middle - aged man red - eyed with liquor - fixed on her . " Hey , sweetheart , " he drawled , breath reeking of whiskey . " A pretty thing like you doing this kind of work ? Short on cash , huh ? Tell me what you need . I take care of my girls . Drink a bottle for me , me , I'll give you ten grand . Deal ? " Bile rose in Lydia's throat . She sidestepped his reaching hand . " I'm not short on cash . Please keep your hands to yourself . " She turned to leave . His face darkened . He seized her wrist in a bruising grip . " You giving me attitude ? You closer , snarling , " You'll drink tonight - one way or another . " I know I am ? You think you can brush me off ? " He yanked her His fingers clamped around her jaw , forcing her mouth open . His friends didn't stop him . They hooted and egged him on . Cold liquor burned down her throat , tainted with his stale smoke and spit . She choked , eyes burning , wrenching her head away , but he was stronger by far . One bottle . Two . She didn't know how many they forced on her . Her stomach heaved and burned ; the room tilted . Terror slammed into fury . Lydia lunged , shoved him off , and snatched an empty bottle from the table . It shattered against his forehead with a crack . He howled , clutching the sudden gush of blood , staring at her in disbelief . " You little - You hit me ? " Lydia bolted , stumbling out of the suite . She ducked into the nearest supply closet , slammed the door , and threw the lock . Chapter5 22 79 % Footsteps pounded the hall . Fists hammered the door . The man's voice bellowed , raw with rage . " Get out here ! I'll kill you ! " " Kick the door in ! " Lydia curled into the corner , shaking . This was Chase's family's club - her first instinct was to call him . Her hands trembled so badly she could barely tap his name . She called again . And again . No answer ... no answer .... The doorframe groaned . The lock rattled in its housing . Just as panic swallowed her , the call finally connected . " Chase ! Help me ! I'm- " " Lydia , don't start , please , " he cut in , exasperated . " I know covering her shift wasn't fair , but Sienna's dad is in bad shape and she's barely holding it together . I have to stay and manage this . I'll come get you when I'm done , okay ? " " No , listen - there are- ' A raw , tearing sob - Sienna's - spiked through line on his end . " Just hold on , okay ? " Chase said quickly . " I'll me get you . " The call clicked dead . The dial tone hummed in Lydia's ear as her whole body Her heart dropped through the floor . The next second , the closet door exploded inward . numb . The man from the suite - forehead still bleeding - filled the doorway , his face twisted with fury . " You dared smash my head ? Boys- teach her a lesson . " Two , three hulking men surged in . Kicks and fists rained down . A scream tore from her throat - then the pain drowned even that And then there was nothing . out . She curled around her head , the world going dark at the edges . Chapters