Chapter 28: Saved By The Billionaire

As Maryanne pulls away from the woman, the stranger’s nails drag across her flesh, slicing deep. She releases a whimper, almost tipping over a chair. She bites any retort she might have back as the woman continues to advance.
The terror pulsating through Maryanne’s body has her vision wavering. She remembers that Riley is in her grasp and she tries to build the confidence to protect her.
“What do you want,” Maryanne shouts, glancing around in hopes that someone will intervene. Some of the other families are watching in horror, while a waiter runs across the floor into the back of the restaurant.
She tightens her grip and shifts so that Riley is not close to the woman. She looks around, searching for a way out. Her arm throbs in tune with her racing heart. She can feel the warm blood dripping down her skin, but ignores it as her attention is tuned in on the crazed stranger in front of her.
The woman’s face is distorted, and her eyes are sunken into her face. “I want Riley. I should be the one with custody of her. She’s mine.”
Maryanne’s features crumple up with disgust as she looks the woman up and down. Her fear dies down, but only slightly, as she is overwhelmed by irritation and anger.
“No, she isn’t.”
As the woman is now inches from Maryanne, the librarian can see the deep pores in the stranger’s face and the grime caking her skin. The stench wafting off the woman is sickening, causing nausea rolling through Maryanne’s stomach.
She turns her head in order to catch a fresh breath of air, but it gives the stranger an opportunity to raise her fist, ready to make contact with the librarian’s jaw. The families watching gasp, one man standing in protest, finally.
“Caroline, get away from them.”
As Max’s deep voice booms throughout the room, everyone freezes.
Maryanne’s entire body is washed with relief. Her knees buckle and she leans back against the booth in order to stay standing. Her heart tightens, as though it will burst at the intense emotions running through her system.
“Max,” her voice quivers as she stares up at him.
He forces his way through the restaurant, his body rippling with rage, his face contorted as he eyes Caroline with malice.
Maryanne remembers now. She wasn’t able to recognize Greg’s sister because when she last saw the woman at the courthouse, she was well dressed and wearing makeup. Completely different from how she appears now.
“Riley is mine and you know it,” Caroline hisses at Max, only taking a step back as he squeezes in between the two women. “The court ruled against me only because you have all of the money. If it weren’t for you, I’d have custody.” She pushes hair from her eyes as she glances behind Max to Maryanne, her scowl sending a shiver down the librarian’s spine.
Max shifts ever so slightly, blocking the woman’s view of Maryanne. “You know that isn’t true. It’s not because you’re a recovering drug addict that you lost custody. It’s the fact that you have countless arrests on your record. One more and you get sent to prison. Look at you, do you even have an apartment?”
“That means nothing. I can give Riley a great home.” Caroline continues to seethe, refusing to back down.
“Caroline, the court system has already decided. You are not one of the options for guardianship.” Max rolls his shoulder, his expression more pity than anything else now.
She bares her teeth, her fists tightening. “You can’t do this to me.”
Max nods at the hulk of a man behind Caroline that Maryanne is just noticing now. “Jack, take her away.”
Jack steps forward, grabbing a hold of Caroline’s thin arm. She whips her other arm around, trying to hook the large man.
She shrieks, “Unhand me!”
Maryanne watches in shock as Caroline is dragged away kicking and screaming. Her entire body is a blur as she moves, knocking over plates and glasses from the surrounding tables.
Max turns around quickly, his hands gently touching Maryanne’s arms, “Are you and Riley okay?”
Blinking, still in a daze, she glances up at him, realizing what he asked. “Oh, yes, thank you.” She looks down at Riley who’se eyes are wide but she just sits quietly in Maryanne’s arms.
“You’re bleeding,” Max growls, his grip tightening on her left arm. His face tightens as he inspects the bloody cuts.
She remembers the wound and the stinging returns.
She raises her arm so that she can see the gouges, “It’s nothing.” Riley shifts in her grasp, starting to get agitated.
Grabbing Maryanne’s purse from the booth, Max bites out, “You should go to the hospital. What if it gets infected?”
“Max, I’m alright. I’ll clean it once I get home.” Maryanne huffs softly, her body still rushing with adrenaline.
“I’ll call the doctor,” Max turns his head toward another man that appears next to them. “Jason, call him. Have him meet us at the house.”
He nods, pulling a phone from his pocket and hitting a button before bringing it to his ear. “Yes, sir.” Jason turns around and starts to speak rapidly after a second.
“Max, this is ridiculous. It’s embarrassing. I’m fine.” Maryanne tries to pull against Max to force him to stop, but he is stronger than her. Her chest tightens as she notices all of the eyes watching them. The families originally sitting at the tables are now all standing, holding their children close to them.
With his brow furrowed, his eyes shadowed with concern, he says, “Maryanne, you could’ve been severely hurt. Come on, let’s get out of here.”