The fighting had stopped for now , but the air remained charged with a jagged, nervous energy. The room reeked of alcohol and fear, every breath heavy in Riley's chest. All they could do now was wait for the police.
'Why do the police always arrive late when they're actually needed !'Riley thought bitterly, flexing his throbbing knuckles.
They had release Amy in Chaos. She was huddle in a corner now , knees pulled to her chest .She had stopped crying ,but her breath still came in shallow hitches.
"Are you okay?" Riley asked softly .
Amy nodded, though her eyes flicked toward the wreckage scattered across the floor." I'm okay ... I think ." She wavered ."But.... What happens next."
" I don't know". Riley admitted ,adrenaline fading from his body.
He felt a cold weight in his stomach. Even though he'd called the police, experience told him that when the rich were involved, people like him usually ended up carrying the blame.
" What happened here!?".
The door to the private room swung wide, and the manager stood there. His face turning a ghostly shade of gray.
Just moment earlier he was calculating the night's profit, laughing with customers. Then a waiter had come rushing with news of a distrubance _ and worse Rider Thompson was involved.
He couldn't offend Rider.
Abandoning everything, the manager had bolted upstairs, heart pounding in his throat.
Now, seeing Rider ,he let out a strangled scream.
Rider look like a phantom drenched in wine and blood ,with a jagged bottle stilled press against his neck. His eyes wide with terror.
" C- call security !" Rider shrieked , his voice cracking. He didn't dear move an inch for fear of the glass. "Get this psycho away from me."
" You are still talking. " the boy said calmly.
"I- I can give you money." He babbled. " Ten thousand. Fifty thousand . Just move it away from me . "
The glass pressed deeper . A thin line of blood welled.
" Five hundred thousand!" Rider squeaked." " I will give you five hundred thousand . Just _ just Remove it !"
The boy scoffed." Who needs your petty change?"
Rider swallowed hard.
" Then ,what do you need ?I will do anything." Rider pleaded .
"Apologize."
Rider stared at him." What?"
"I said apologize." ,
The bottle dug in enough just to sting.
"O-okay . Okay. I will apologize . Just _ move it away."
The boy released him.
Rider stumbled back like he'd been freed from a trap, rushing to the manager's side. The fear drained from his face, replaced by familiar arrogance.
"You asshole!" Rider snarled. "Do you really think I'd apologize to slum rats?" He pointed at Riley and the boy. "Call security. Beat them. And what kind of trash staff are you hiring? Attacking customers?"
"Yes, sir. Of course, sir," the manager said hastily. He turned on Riley, fury flashing in his eyes. "Riley, you're fired. No pay. Get out before I throw you out myself."
Riley had expected the firing.
But losing his entire salary hit like a punch.
" But sir ," he said quietly ," I worked the whole month. I should at least get half_ "
" Shut up!" Rider roared. " Do you think a simple firing will solve this? I won't stop until I beat you both to death .Moved! Beat them ."
Something snapped.
Riley looked at Rider—the man who had just cost him his future and tried to ruin Amy. The "contained" Riley was gone. He stepped forward and delivered a crushing punch into Rider's stomach.
Riley stepped forward and drove his fist into Rider's stomach .
" This is for Amy ."
Riley muttered. Since he had already lost his job and his pay, he might as well earn the termination.
Rider wheezed , collapsing to his knees.
" Riley, have lost your mind?!" The manager screamed. " Security! Someone get Security! "
Outside the room, the crowd of onlookers gasped, but their murmurs were cut short by a booming authority. "Police! Make way!"
The manager froze, cold sweat dripping down his forehead.
Relief washed over Riley — briefly.
Then the boy moved.
In one swift motion, the dangerous calm vanished. He shoved the broken bottle into Rider's limp hand and collapsed to the floor, face contorting in terror.
"Help!" he sobbed. "He's trying to kill me!"
Rider stared at the bottle in his hand, stunned.
Unbelievable, Riley thought. This guy belongs in a movie.
When the police burst in, they were momentaarily confused, but the visual evidence was overwhelming whom to confront the attacker looked more like a victim.
" He... He and the others tried to rape me and the waitress." The boy sobbed loudly pointing at Amy. " It was self defense.Please, don't let him hurt me!""
That was enough.
Seeing the crying , fragile youth they tackled Rider to the ground before he could even drop the glass.
"It wasn't me! You idiots. I am the victim l!" Rider shrieked as the handcuffs clicked shut. " Release me now !"
He looked at his friends for help, but they were already shrinking back,desperate to distance themselves from the crime.
The police didn't need any more convincing. As Rider and his friends were dragged away, cursing, the room slowly emptied.
Liam looked up at the officers, tears brimming in his brown eyes. "Thank you .Officer." , he whispered , wiping his eyes. " Thank you, for saving me."
" No, we haven't done much . It's our duty." The officer said , clearly moved by the boy "fragility"." You have to come with us to give witness statement."
He nodded obediently and stood up, casually wiping the "tears" from his face with the sleeve of his shirt. The scared expression was gone, replaced by a calm, effortless grace. He walked toward Riley, held out a hand and smiled softly.
"Hello. My name is Liam. Thank you for helping me earlier. Let's be friends."
Riley looked at the hand, then at the boy who had just dismantled an entire room and then tricked the police without breaking a sweat. Helping him? He did everything himself, Riley thought.
He knew that getting involved with someone as unpredictable as Liam was dangerous. But looking into Liam's expectant, brown eyes, Riley found he couldn't say no. Hesitantly, he reached out.
"Riley," he muttered. "Riley Blake."