UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT Chapter 35

I slammed my shoulder into the door. It didn’t budge. From inside came Maya’s desperate, trembling cry: “Liam… help me…”

Her voice was a blade, sending adrenaline surging through me.

Eyes burning, I snatched up a wooden stool and smashed it into the lock. Splinters flew. The latch snapped with a crack. I kicked the door open and charged in.

What I saw was a torch to a powder keg.

Maya was tied to the bed, wrists bound with a silk scarf. Her light-blue dress had been ripped halfway open, baring a pale shoulder and the edge of lace. She shook under the lamp, all fragile curves and terror.

Tears streaked her face; her eyes were wide with fear, a trapped fawn.

A young man stood at the bedside in expensive silk pajamas, collar gaping to show off a pampered chest. His face was smug, his gaze a hungry wolf.

He was leaning in, fingers sliding toward the hem of Maya’s dress, a sleazy smile at his lips: “Quit screaming, sweetheart. Play nice and I’ll make you famous.”

“Stop!” I roared, lunging. I fisted his collar, yanked him off the bed, and slammed him to the floor.

His pajamas twisted, skin flashing; he sprawled like a dog with its back broken. “Who the hell are you to ruin my fun?” he spat, scrambling up, a flicker of panic in his eyes.

I didn’t give him the chance to mouth off. My fist crashed into his face. Blood burst from his nose.

He howled and dropped back, clutching his face. His pajamas fell open, exposing a greasy gut—pathetic and vile.

I turned to Maya, my chest ripping with pain. I freed the scarf from her wrists and lifted her down.

She trembled like a leaf. Her tears soaked through my shirt, heat knifing into my heart.

“Liam…” She collapsed into me, arms locked around my waist, face buried in my chest, sobbing.

Her dress had slipped off one shoulder, a line of lace showing. The brush of her slight curves against me sent my pulse reeling. I forced myself to focus, shrugged off my jacket, and wrapped it around her. “It’s over, Maya. I’m here. No one’s going to hurt you.”

The man glared, palm pressed to his bleeding nose. “Do you even know who I am? I’m the owner’s son at Allure Angels! Touch me and you’re finished!”

I laughed coldly, fury ringing in my skull. “Owner’s son? I don’t give a damn. You lay a hand on Maya and you’ll regret ever being born.”

I pulled out my phone and called Christine.

She picked up fast, voice cool and edged. “Liam, what is it?”

Teeth clenched, I said, “Ms. Chen, Maya was nearly assaulted on the Allure Angels set by the owner’s brat. I’m in the general manager’s office—I broke the door. I need you here now.”

Christine paused for two seconds, her tone turning to ice. “I’m on my way. Keep Maya safe. Don’t do anything reckless.”

I held Maya, feeling her tremors. Her tears kept soaking my shirt, each drop a needle to the heart. I murmured, “Don’t be afraid, Maya. I’ve got you.”

She lifted her face, eyes swimming. Her voice broke: “I was so scared… Wendy said I needed to try on a new lingerie line and brought me here. I didn’t know…”

My gut clenched. Wendy’s fleeting, chilly smile flashed through my mind. It had been a setup from the start.

She’d fooled me with a gentle mask and almost fed Maya to a wolf. My jaw locked. Rage all but erased my reason.

Shattered Lace