Frode as Rick spun me around by the wrist . His expression shifted from calm control to raw shock in an instant . He pulled me tighter , eyes widenin the sight of me , his face almost broke . " Tional " he whispered , voice hoarse My chest heaved . I could barely speak . " Rick … " My voice trembled . I was in complete shock i didn't even know where to begin processing things My other hand trembled asi pointed toward the entrance , but he didn't seem to notice someone was there . A deep , rough voice cut through the tension . " Who's that ? " Rick's jaw clenched . He tightened his grip on my wrist and angled me behind him . I glanced over his shoulder and saw a tall man stepping toward us . He dressed in faded jeans and a worn leather jacket , with a five o'clock shadow and cold steel eyes . " Rick Sterling , " the man said , voice low and cautious . " What the hell are you doing ? " Rick didn't flinch . His posture went stiff - upper - lip calm . He stared the man down . " Ignore her . She's with me The second the man spotted me , his eyes flared with rage . He pointed straight at Rick , voice rising with disbelief . " What the hell is she doing here ? " Rick's hand tightened around my wrist . I could feel the pulse in his palm , tense and steady . He stepped in front of me slightly , his entire body taking a hard stance . " She followed me . I didn't bring her but she stays . " The man laughed bitterly , " You brought a civilian to this place , Rick ? Are you out of your goddamn mind ? This isn't some playground . You know what's buried here . " Rick didn't blink " She's not just anyone . " " That's the problem ! She's not one of us . She's not vetted . She's not covered . You said yourself , no outside eyes . And now she's standing here right in the open ! " " And I'll deal with it , " Rick said , his voice low and controlled . " You don't need to raise your voice . " " I'll do more than raise my voice . You're risking everything . You've gone soft . You think she won't talk ? That she won't run her mouth when it suits her ? " Rick Turned slowly . " She hasn't . And she won't , Because she has more to lose than any of us . " " And you're willing to bet your entire operation on that ? " Rick's voice hardened . " I'm not betting anything . I'm making a decision . She stays . End of story " The man stepped closer , towering over Rick but Rick didn't finch , " Don't test me , Starting ," the man said , his eyes darting toward me again . " You're not untouchable . You may have money and name , but you step out of Kick cut him off , his tone colder than I'd ever heard . "" If you lay a finger on her , I'll bury you before anyone hears you screant . nan's nostris flared . He studied Rick for a long beat before backing up , but he wasn't done , e . Keep her quiet because if stu slas , it's your head on the block not mine . 10:15 Wed , 27 Aug D Chapter 49 With one last glare at me , the man turned and disappeared into the shadows of the building Rick finally looked back at me , his jaw still tight . He didn't say anything at first , just guided me forward with a firm hand at my back . We rusted structure , stepping over broken floor tiles and through creaky doors . He kept glancing back at me as if making sure I was still there " Stay close . " he muttered . Inodded , too stunned to speak . My heart pounded . I could feel the rough wood graze the side of my hand , I stumbled forward , Rick's other arm sliding around my waist , steadying me . He led me inside with deliberate care , ducking under awkward bearms and avoiding low ceilings . Every move he made was a silent safeguard for me . Every breath was in sync with mine . I realized suddenly how close we were , his chest lightly pressed against my back We entered a wide underground space . Fluorescent lights flickered overhead . It looked like a private club lounge , empty booths lined the walls , a the ceiling gleaming bar in the middle , and strange neon lights tracing t Rick guided me to a booth near the wall . He sat first , then reached for my hand and pulled me down beside him . He released my wrist finally and shock his hand loose . " Stay here , " he ordered quietly . Inodded , my voice caught in my throat . He stood , squared his shoulders toward the man who'd escorted usin and walked across the room . I stared at him leaving . with curiosity . my pulse pounding . How had he built this ? How had he hidden a whole underground club from me ! I felt shock and betrayal war Minutes passed . I traced my fingers along the vinyl seat . I watched rust streams on the bar , a long mirror behind it streaked with age . Everything feit allen and intimate at the same time . Suddenly the man from before came over and grabbed my wrist , pulling me to my feet . His grip squeezed . jerked to free myself , trying to figure out what he was doing . Before I could shout , he started pulling me toward the bar . My heart pounded so loudly I could taste it . I scanned the room for Rick . That was when theard a sharp thud behind mai spun around just in time to see Rick dive at the man , shouting something I couldn't catch . He Luckled him to the floor and started pummeling him hard , precise strikes that made me gasp . In seconds it was over . Rick stood , chest heaving , and the other man lay on the floor , head turned , oyes closed . Rick wiped his fist on his jeans s before turning to me . He crouched down , one knee on the ground . His face softened as soon as he saw me . He held out his hand , " Are you okay ? oice was low , strained with emotion and relief not commanding this time but vulnerable , human . My breath came in shallow gasps . My ears were ringing . I nodded , stepping forward until I was kneeling next to him . I touched my neck where his hand had held me earlier , where fear had pooled in my veins . I whispered , yes locked on his . My entice body shock . He pulled himself up slowly and offered his hand . I took IL meaning liven him asi sond . He stayed close . oulder brushing Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!