Paige didn't want to leave Liam, and she definitely didn't want to leave Everly. But even if she wanted to struggle she was too stunned, in too much shock. Sterling's arm was heavy around her shoulders as he steered her into the bar. The heavy door, closing behind them with a thunk, sealing out the sounds from the parking lot. Evie. He was going to hurt her. Someone needed to help her. To Paige it felt as though she was screaming it. Demanding someone go protect her tiny friend, but the words never actually left her mouth. They were lodged in her throat, only repeating themselves in her brain.
As her stomach gave another lurch. Another heave. Hand coming to her mouth, Paige ran to the ladies room. She kicked open the first stall, and fell to her knees, losing her lunch into the bottom of the bowl. Purging herself of bile and bad memories, as her eyes burned with tears. Whore. Bitch. Good for nothing. Useless. Cunt. She had heard all those weirds before and hoped to never again. But that stung still, more than any slap to the face, any shove into the wall. Clutching to her stomach as another wave of vomit hit. Her anxiety, her fear, her shame, whirling and spinning, as her ex-husband prowled outside of her job. Haunting and hunting. Hurting her friends.
And she too weak to do anything about it, hid. Too broken. Too scared. Too traumatized. She couldn't help them. Couldn't protect them. Couldn't save them. It was all her fault.
Who ever the petite little thing was, Darren had to admit, she had spirit. Angry, and venomous. She was almost cute. Clearly though, she didn't realize woman were supposed to respect men, obey men. God made man first, and woman second for a reason. It was obvious that someone hadn't taught Everly her place, "You're tough little girl, I'll give you that," Said Darren with a sneer, his nostrils twitching with annoyance. How dear she get in the way. This was none of her business. None of any of their business. But he hadn't anticipated that kick, it was well timed and well placed, "Fuck! Someone needs to teach you some manners," He remarked, balling his fist, hauling back to throw his arm forward, just in time to find himself on the ground.
"Well aren't you a God damned hero," Snapped Darren, as his eyes blazed up at Liam. He struggled for a second to get up, but with one arm useless, and the knee of the opposing leg fucked, he couldn't get the leverage to stand.The broad shouldered tattoo artist holding him at bay with the bat wasn't helping any either. He was seething and anger, practically shaking with fury, and Liam seemed so damn cool in collected. It was maddening.
When the police arrived, they had to call the EMTs to check, Darren out, before they could take him to county lock up. The cops getting statements, with the paramedics did a work up on Paige's ex. But she was in too much of a state of panic to do much talking. Luckily, Everly had been there from the second they pulled into the parking lot. And Sterling, Liam and Knox's security cameras could fill in the rest, as she sat, at the bar, on one of the stools shaking, trying to get out the story.
"This isn't over," Called Darren as he was loaded into the back of the cruiser car. To which one of the officer's remarked, "Yes it is." Paige could only hope that was true.