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Chloe
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I SCREAMED AS Brent’s friends went after Graham. They both started throwing punches, catching him from both sides, not giving Graham much of a chance to fight back.
“Stop it!” I yelled, trying to get between them.
“Dammit, Chloe. Don’t be stupid!” Brent snapped. He pulled me away from the fight and tried dragging me to his car while I kicked and screamed for help. I couldn’t believe this was happening right out in the open and nobody was around to help.
“Let her go!” Graham hollered, struggling to get away from the other two.
Ignoring him, Brent tried picking me up, but I bit him in the cheek. Screaming in pain, he backhanded me. I stumbled, falling down on the icy pavement and flat on my ass. Crying, I tried crawling away from him, but he wouldn’t have it.
Brent touched his cheek. “That fucking hurt, Chloe. You’re going to pay for this.” He leaned down and grabbed me by the hair. Pulling me up to my feet, he tried getting me into his car again. It was then that the front door of the bar opened up and two people walked out. Recognizing Graham’s friend Matt and his wife, I began screaming for their help.
Shocked, Matt reached into his jacket and pulled out a gun. He raced to where Graham was scuffling with Brent’s buddies and fired the weapon up into the sky. Shocked, everyone froze.
“Whoa,” Brent said, letting me go. He held up his hands and smiled. “Take it easy, man. No need to bring in guns.”
Ignoring him, Matt asked Graham if he was okay.
Graham, whose eye was beginning to swell, nodded and then took a swing at the assailant on his left. He must have connected hard, because the man dropped like a ton of bricks. Graham twisted to take a shot at the other guy, but the man was already running away.
Scowling, Graham spit out a wad of blood. “Fucking pussy,” he said and turned his sights on Brent.
“Dude, this was a mistake. I’m sorry,” Brent said, holding up his hands in defense as Graham approached him.
In answer, Graham pulled him by the jacket and slammed his forehead into Brent’s. Shocked, I watched him fall down, unconscious.
“What in the hell was going on out here?” Matt asked, putting his gun away.
“They just jumped us. No reason other than her ex is a dickhead,” Graham said, walking over to me. He put his arm around my shoulders affectionately. “Are you okay?”
I was shaking like a leaf, but okay. I nodded.
He pulled me in gently for a hug and I heard him groan in pain.
“I’m so sorry,” I said, staring up at Graham’s face. He was definitely getting a shiner.
“It’s not your fault,” he said, wincing as I tried touching his face.
“I know but, I’m still sorry,” I replied softly. “We need to get that iced.”
Graham bent down and grabbed a handful of snow. He blotted the cold powder onto his face. “There. Good as new.”
I snorted.
“Do either of you want me to call the police?” Matt asked.
“No. Honestly, I just want to get the fuck out of here,” Graham replied. “By the way, what’s with the gun?”
“I have my Carry-And-Conceal,” he said.
I sighed. “Thank God for that.”
“We should all get out of here before those two come around,” Matt said as his wife approached cautiously. He introduced us and then Graham thanked him for helping.
“No problem. I’m just glad I came out here when I did. It looks like he was going to try and kidnap Chloe.”
Graham looked at me and smiled. “My girl? Over my dead body.”
I looked at him in surprise.
His eyes twinkled.