Chapter 2 - The Button Behind the Bar
Dennis’s hand stopped an inch from the panel.
“I’m shutting down the music.”
“There isn’t any music,” Mia said.
The room was silent enough to hear ice settling in a glass.
Dominic glanced at the head of security.
“Step away from him.”
The guard hesitated.
That hesitation told me more than an apology ever could.
Dominic’s men stayed near the doors. Nobody touched Preston. Nobody reached for a weapon.
Somehow, that frightened the table more.
I pulled my phone from my apron and called 911 myself.
“My name is Elena Hayes. I’ve been assaulted at the Aether Penthouse.”
Dennis closed his eyes.
“Yes, I’m still here. Six men. One used electric clippers while the others held me.”
Preston leaned forward.
“Are you seriously doing this?”
I looked straight at him.
“Yes.”
When I finished, Dominic took off his coat and held it open.
I shook my head.
“Not yet.”
My shirt showed the hair, the spilled champagne, and the red marks where someone had gripped my arms.
I wanted the officers to see all of it.
Mia came over with a clean towel.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“Did you try to get help?”
She nodded.
“Then don’t apologize.”
Dennis approached carefully.
“Elena, we need to discuss this privately.”
“No.”
“Think about what this could do to the club.”
I glanced at the phones still raised around us.
“You should have thought about that before I hit the floor.”
Preston’s friend with the clippers tried to place them beneath a napkin.
“Leave them,” I said.
He obeyed me this time.
When the first officers arrived, Preston immediately stood.
“Thank God. This guy’s holding us hostage.”
The officer looked at the open doorway.
Then at me.
“Ma’am, do you need medical attention?”
“Yes,” Dominic said.
The officer kept her eyes on mine.
I appreciated her for that.
“Yes,” I answered. “But I want to give my statement first.”
She introduced herself as Officer Ruiz and asked everyone to step back.
For the first time all night, somebody gave me space without making me earn it.
As I spoke, Preston’s phone began vibrating on the table.
The screen flashed DAD.
He reached for it.
Ruiz told him to wait.
Then my phone lit up.
An unknown number.
The message contained a video thumbnail of me on the floor.
May you like
Underneath were seven words.
Tell your husband to answer his phone.
