CHAPTER 253: CHAPTER 253 UNEXPECTED RESCUE

Ava’s POV

I couldn’t stop thinking about that encounter with Joseph Garcia during my lunch break. When our hands touched during that brief handshake, something strange had happened. An unexpected jolt sent tingles up my arm. The memory of it still lingered hours later as I finished my shift at the boutique.

Was I actually attracted to him? The thought was both alarming and annoying. Sure, he was handsome with those piercing eyes and confident smile. But he was also clearly an Alpha with an ego the size of Harbor Bay.

"Earth to Ava!" Nina waved her hand in front of my face. "You’ve been folding that same sweater for like five minutes. What’s going on in that head of yours?"

I blinked. I was embarrassed at being caught daydreaming. "Sorry. Just tired."

"Uh-huh." Nina raised an eyebrow. She wasn’t convinced. "This wouldn’t have anything to do with that hot guy who was trying to get your number earlier, would it?"

"What? No! Of course not."

"Your face says otherwise," she teased.

She nudged me with her elbow. "Come on, spill. He was gorgeous, and clearly interested."

I sighed and set down the perfectly folded sweater. "He’s exactly the kind of guy I need to avoid. Rich, arrogant Alpha who thinks every woman should fall at his feet."

"Sometimes a little fun doesn’t hurt, you know." Nina wiggled her eyebrows.

"Let’s just close up and get out of here," I said.

I changed the subject. "Pablo isn’t working tonight, so we need to grab a cab."

Nina groaned. "Ugh, I hate closing shift. The mall feels so creepy when it’s emptying out."

Nina helped me with my closing duties quickly and headed toward the employee exit. The mall was mostly deserted. Our footsteps echoed in the empty corridors.

"Want to grab something to eat before heading home?" Nina asked as we pushed through the doors into the parking lot.

Before I could answer, a familiar voice sent ice through my veins.

"Well, look who it is. My favorite little wolfless wonder."

Isaac stepped out from between two parked cars. The smell of alcohol hit me even from several feet away.

"Isaac," I said. "You need to leave."

He laughed."Is that any way to greet an old friend? We have unfinished business, Ava."

Nina stepped forward protectively. "She said leave. Now."

Isaac’s eyes narrowed. "Stay out of this, bitch. This is between me and her."

"There is no ’me and you’ anymore," I said firmly, despite my racing heart. "It’s been over."

"It’s over when I say it’s over," he snarled, moving closer. "You think you can just walk away from me? "

"You cheated on me, Isaac."

He waved dismissively. "Details. You’re mine, Ava."

Nina pulled out her phone. "I’m calling security."

In a flash, Isaac lunged forward and knocked the phone from her hand. It clattered across the pavement.

"No one’s calling anyone," he growled. He grabbed Nina’s arm roughly.

"Let go of her!" I shouted. I tried to pull him off.

Isaac shoved Nina aside and turned his attention to me. His eyes were wild now. "You’ve been avoiding me for too long. It’s time you remembered your place."

He grabbed my wrist so hard I knew it would bruise. I tried to pull away, but he was too strong.

"Let. Her. Go."

The new voice was deep, commanding, and unmistakably that of an Alpha.

I turned to see Joseph Garcia standing a few feet away. His posture was rigid and his eyes blazed with fury.

Isaac’s grip loosened slightly in surprise. "Who the hell are you?"

"Someone who doesn’t like seeing women manhandled by drunken losers," Joseph replied coldly. "Step away from her. Now."

Isaac laughed. "This isn’t your business, man. This is between me and my girlfriend."

"Ex-girlfriend," I corrected.

Joseph moved closer. I could feel the power radiating off him. This was pure Alpha dominance.

"I won’t ask again," Joseph said.

Isaac must have sensed the danger because he released my wrist and took a step back. But he wasn’t ready to give up. "You think you’re tough? Do you have any idea who I am?"

"Someone who’s about to get his ass handed to him if he doesn’t walk away in the next five seconds," Joseph replied.

Isaac glanced between us. He was sizing up the situation. Joseph was taller, obviously stronger, and completely sober. Even through his drunken haze, Isaac could see he was outmatched.

"This isn’t over, Ava," he spat before backing away. "We’ll finish this conversation another time."

"No, we won’t," Joseph said firmly. "Because if you come near her again, I’ll make sure you regret it."

Isaac’s face contorted with rage, but self-preservation won out. He shot me one last venomous look before turning and stumbling away into the darkness.

The moment he was gone, Joseph’s demeanor changed completely. The intimidating Alpha was replaced by concern as he approached me.

"Are you okay?" he asked. His eyes scanned my face.

I rubbed my wrist. "I’m fine. Thank you for stepping in."

Nina rushed over and got her phone from the ground. "That was amazing! You scared the crap out of him!"

Joseph didn’t seem to share her enthusiasm. His expression remained serious. "Do you know that guy?"

"Unfortunately," I sighed. "My ex-boyfriend. He’s been having trouble with the concept of ’ex’ lately."

"Has he done this before? Followed you? Grabbed you like that?" Joseph’s voice was tight with controlled anger.

"It’s been escalating," I admitted. "Tonight was the worst it’s been."

"You need to report him," Joseph said firmly. "I can drive you to the police station right now if you want."

"Really?" Nina asked. "You’d do that?"

Joseph nodded. "Absolutely. This kind of behavior only gets worse if it’s not addressed."

I hesitated. I was torn between my distrust of this man and the genuine concern he seemed to be showing. Plus, he had just rescued me from a potentially dangerous situation.

"I appreciate the offer," I said finally. "But I don’t want to impose."

"It’s not an imposition," Joseph insisted. "And honestly, I don’t think either of you should be taking a cab alone tonight. That guy might still be lurking around."

Nina looked at me. "He’s right, Ava. Isaac was super mad. I don’t feel safe."

I bit my lip and weighed my options. "Okay. Thank you."

Joseph led us to his car. He opened the passenger door for me while Nina climbed into the back.

The drive to the police station was quiet. I kept stealing glances at Joseph’s profile as he drove. I wondered why a man like him would go out of his way to help someone he barely knew.

At the station, Joseph waited patiently while I filed a report.

The officer was sympathetic but not particularly optimistic about immediate action.

"Without a restraining order, there’s only so much we can do," the officer explained. "But we’ve documented the incident, and officers will keep an eye out in that area."

When we left the station, Joseph pulled me aside. "I know a good lawyer who specializes in cases like this. He could help you get a restraining order."

"Why are you being so helpful?" I asked. I couldn’t keep the suspicion from my voice. "You don’t even know me."

"No one should have to deal with that kind of threat, especially not alone."

For a moment, I saw his real side. It was not just the wealthy playboy Alpha. There was something genuine and protective about him. It made my heart skip a beat.

"Thank you," I said softly.

"Here," he said. He pulled out his phone. "I need your number. So I can text you the lawyer’s information."

I smiled slightly. "Is this your roundabout way of getting my number after I turned you down earlier?"

A small smile played at the corner of his mouth. "Maybe. Is it working?"

Against my better judgment, I found myself reciting my number as he typed it into his phone.

"I’ll text you right now so you have mine too," he said. Seconds later, my phone buzzed with a message that simply read: Joseph Garcia.