Yes, Chef

Chapter 14: Battle of the Wills

~Benedict's POV~

I didn't know what the hell I planned to do when I left that backroom. I'm the last person to talk a pissed off person down. I never thought I'd physically intervene but when the gunman cornered an employee and Rod called his attention to distract him, I was acting on adrenaline when I rushed the guy. We landed on shards of glass so I got torn up in the scuffle but managed to disarm him and keep him subdued.

Once the police and medics arrived, I was finally able to think straight again. "Rod, Mads is locked in the bathroom with the others. Can you give them the all clear and send Mads out?"

He is shaken, which is something for a guy like him but he doesn't hesitate on my request. Unfortunately though, Hillary makes a beeline to me, throwing herself at me while a paramedic is digging glass shards out of my arm.

"I was so scared for you." She whimpers, burying her face in the crook of my neck.

"Uh thanks. Um, we need to give this guy room to work." She steps back and I nod at the EMT. He doesn't even raise his eyes from where he's searching for more embedded glass.

"You're a hero." Hillary declares, looking at me with adoration.

I don't know what to say but then I hear someone saying. "Ma'am, are you hurt? We need to get your name. Are you a patron or an employee of the shop?"

Mads. "She's with me." I call out, trying to pull away from the guy helping me.

"Any ladies you're not with?" I hear him mutter under his breath. I yank my arm from his grip as Mads emerges. She looks bewildered as she takes me in. I don't hesitate to pull her against me, feeling comforted immediately.

"Sir, I need to still clean those wounds." The paramedic informs me.

I ignore him but Mads pulls back and asks in a small voice. "Are you hurt?"

"Just some scratches. Are you okay?" I ask.

She opens her mouth to answer but is interrupted by presumably someone from the local news network who sticks a microphone between us. "Chef Benedict Ruschmann of Grand Finale Restaurante, is it true that you apprehended the gunman that terrorized this small tattoo parlor tonight?"

My mouth drops open then quickly shuts. I mean I did but I was just acting on adrenaline, wanting to save my friends. I glance at Mads whose eyes are wide with surprise.

"He did! He's a hero." Hillary says from behind the reporter and camera operator.

"Alright, we have an active crime scene here. We're going to need to clear out anyone who wasn't directly involved in tonight's incident and allow the professionals to work on clearing the scene." A police officer intervenes.

Hillary protests and the reporter tries to get me to comment even as they are getting ushered out of the space. The paramedic takes hold of my arm again. I look to where Mads was standing a moment ago but she's gone. She must have been ushered out along with the others.

By the time I am allowed to leave, it's six in the morning. My phone is dead and I barely drag myself home. I shower and drop into bed, knowing I need to catch some rest if I'm going to function for work later. I need to catch up with Mads but we probably both need our rest more right now.

I am awoken by my phone ringing and I answer groggily without looking at the caller ID. "Hello?"

"Bro, where are you? What did you do last night?" Kurt's voice is accusatory. My mind first flashes to kissing Mads and that hot makeout session we shared. But then Kurt continues. "The phone is ringing off the hook and the reservation system has us booked solid for the next several weeks!"