"Hello, darling," a voice slurred in my ear.

I jumped and quickly turned to face a group of men staring down at me.

Their dilated eyes and disheveled appearance told me they weren't in their right state of mind.

My heart started to accelerate and panic settled in.

I moved away from the men and began speed-walking to the bar. I could hear them hollering at me, but I was in my own world.

It's just a bunch of drunk men, that's all. There's no way he could find me here. He probably thinks I stayed local and sent his men to search the county.

I doubted he would leave Los Angeles just to find me, right? How would he be able to track me?

My thoughts were stripped away when I got shoved against a wall. I grunted from the impact and looked with wide eyes at the men surrounding me.

The man who talked to me before leaned in and smelled my hair. I quivered under their stares in fear as I looked around for help.

We were in the back corner of the club and with them surrounding me I couldn't see past them. I just hoped Maria would realize I was missing and come to find me.

"Now where do you think you're going? It almost looked like you were trying to run away." He said with a feral smile.

I gulped as he trailed a finger on my skin. I could feel a panic attack about to start as it became harder to breathe. I struggled to take deep breaths as the man and his friends continued their taunts. I whimpered as I smacked a hand away.

"What? Do you think I'm not good enough for you?" The man snapped as he inhaled my scent again. I whimpered again as I clenched my eyes shut. I prepared for him to strike when a deep voice rumbled in the air.

"She said to leave her alone and I suggest you do so before it's too late," the voice growled.

The men turned to face the newcomer while I kept my eyes shut to calm myself down. I heard a few mumbles and footsteps before it was just the loud music going through my ears.

My breath was shallow from my lungs being deprived of air. I was trembling, but relieved when the panic attack didn't reveal itself. I didn't want to cause a scene.

"It's okay. It's over," the deep voice said. The voice was soothing compared to the seething rage that it had held beforehand. I opened my eyes and held in a gasp as I saw my rescuer.

He was huge. He towered over me; he had to be at least six feet tall. Tattoos covered his body, his dark short sleeves showing it was from the wrist up, going up to his neck.

His dark hair was swept to the side, partially covering one of his glowing green eyes. His jaw was sharp and chiseled, the stubble running across it making him look rugged.

He was scowling, looking in the direction the men went, making him look dangerous and ready for a fight.

I gulped a bit in fear.

"Thank you," I said quietly and mustered up my best smile.

He turned and looked at me, dropping his scowl and his eyes softening.

"It was no problem," he said quietly as he tucked his hands into his pockets, his eyes examining me. I tried not to squirm under his gaze, my face heating and my hands going to my hair, twirling the ends of it.

I looked at him again, admiring his large muscles that were bigger than both of my arms together. His shirt clung to his chest and his jeans fit him perfectly.

Oh gosh, how long have I been staring? Stop staring! You're going to creep him out.

No matter how much my brain protested, my eyes stayed glued to his strong figure. I felt my body heat as I realized he was looking at me up and down with an odd expression on his face.

Was that...attraction? I looked like a sewer rat compared to him.

I shook my head at my thoughts. No way he would look at me that way. He just rescued a helpless employee.

If anything, he was annoyed and judging me for the trouble. I knew I would need to apologize for that.

We stood there, staring at each other. I don't know how long the moment lasted until I heard someone calling my name.

"Rosaline! There you are!" I blinked and was brought back to reality. The club noises registered as Maria came into view and hugged me tightly.

"I've been so worried because I couldn't find you! Are you all right?" Maria scolded as she examined me like a mother hen, which was ironic since she looked only a few years older than me.

"I'm fine," I reassured her with an embarrassed smile. "I was just spooked a little."

Maria turned and looked at the man who rescued me, giving him a wide smile.

"Thanks, Damon. I owe you one," Maria said gratefully and the man's lips curled up in return.

"Xavier told me to keep a lookout," Damon said as he looked at me again. "Rosaline?" He asked, confirming my name.

I tried not to shiver as he said it. I internally rolled my eyes. Don't be so pathetic Rosaline! This is just getting sad.

I nodded and was about to stutter a response until Michael saved me from further embarrassment.

"Hey! I just took a quick break and the crowd is starting to slow down. Can you help me out with orders?" Michael asked. Maria and I nodded and he went back to the bar.

"Thank you again, Damon," I said with a smile as Maria pulled me away with a small smirk on her face.

As we left, I could feel his gaze on me and it took everything within me to not look back.

~*~

I yawned as I lay down on the couch in the break room. I patted my apron with a proud smile. All night, I got a huge number of tips from customers. I felt confident that at this rate, I would be able to pay rent next month - and possibly eat something besides Top Ramen.

A box of macaroni would be a luxury.

After the encounter with those men, I was able to get through the orders efficiently without any other distractions. Besides a few stares and Maria barking at any oglers, the rest of the night went well.

"You did great Rosie!" Maria cheered as she patted my knee affectionately.

I smiled back shyly. Throughout the night, Maria and I had gotten closer as she helped me maneuver through the club.

When we were cleaning tables and taking short breaks, she mentioned her husband Xavier.

They were high school sweethearts and have been married for three years. From what Maria told me, he seemed to be as intimidating as Damon, possibly even more.

As Maria continued to talk about him, I saw the dreamy love-struck look on her face. Anyone could tell Maria was in love with the man.

I couldn't help being envious. When my parents were still alive, they were very protective of me. I was always seen as small and vulnerable in their eyes.

Between their strict rules and my shyness, I hadn't really interacted with the opposite gender besides work and school assignments.

But as I had watched my father treat my mother like a queen, my expectations of men became unrealistic.

I wanted someone to look at me like I hung the moon and stars. Unfortunately, it was hard to find someone like that without knowing their true intentions.

Those men from earlier only proved that. Not to mention I was pretty sure I had too much baggage for a relationship.

"Thanks, Maria. I'm exhausted," I yawned again and rubbed my eyes. Maria laughed at my expression and shook her head.

"You have to wait until the club closes up if you want Frank to drive you home. The club closes at five, so you may have to sleep here for a while." Maria says apologetically.

I groaned as I face-planted into the pillow.

"Fine. Wake me up when it's time." I grumbled, but it was incoherent because of the pillow.

Maria giggled and rubbed my back soothingly.

"Tell you what– I'll see if anyone else can drive you home. Be right back." Maria said, and I barely acknowledged her before I dozed off.