“Stop talking.” My voice cuts through his, sharp and clear. The entire bar has gone quiet now, everyone watching. I’m vaguely aware that I’m giving everyone the best damn show they’ve seen at trivia night in years. Might as well make it count.
“You don’t get to do this anymore,” I continue. “You don’t get to come into my workplace and try to make me feel small. I’m done shrinking myself for you. I’m done second-guessing everything because you spent years making me doubt myself.” I lean forward, my hands flat on the bar. “So here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to walk out that door right now. Andyou’re never going to come near me again. Not at this bar, not anywhere in Dark River. Are we clear?”
“You can’t tell me—” He reaches across the bar like he’s going to grab my arm.
“Yes I can. Get the hell out of here. I’m not going to ask you again.” My voice is steel now, all the therapy sessions and self-work and rebuilt confidence pouring into every word.
The kitchen door swings open and Jayson appears, wiping his hands on his apron. He’s a big guy, easily six foot, and right now he looks ready to commit violence. “Everything okay out here, Lark?”
“I’ve got this,” I say, not taking my eyes off Brandon.
But Brandon’s looking around wildly now, at Eleanor still planted at my elbow, at Eddie and Marcus on their feet, at Jayson, at all the regulars staring at him with varying expressions of disgust and anger.
“Oh, is everyone in this fucking place on thisbitch’sside?” he yells, stumbling around the bar and staggering toward me.
I don’t think. Don’t hesitate. Just react.
My knee comes up and connects solidly with his balls.Hard.
Brandon makes a sound like a deflating balloon and crumples, catching himself on the bar before sliding to the floor.
There are audible gasps from around the bar, followed immediately by a few shocked laughs. Someone near the back yells, “OH SHIT!”
“I said get out,” I tell him, my heart pounding but my voice steady.
Jayson steps forward, Eleanor’s already moving closer, and I can hear chairs scraping as more people stand. But something in Brandon’s expression shifts—maybe a flicker of sobriety breaking through, or just self-preservation finally kicking in. He staggers to his feet, still bent over, looking around wildly at the circle of hostile faces.
He stumbles toward the door, moving like every step hurts, and crashes directly into Maren as she’s walking back in.
“What the—” Maren stops, taking in the scene. She presses herself against the doorframe as Brandon lurches past her and out into the night. The door swings shut behind him.
You could hear a fucking pin drop in The Black Lantern.
“What just happened?” Maren asks, looking from me to Eleanor to the crowd of standing regulars.
“I just kneed Brandon in the balls,” I say, and suddenly I’m smiling wide. Because holy shit, I just did that.
Maren’s jaw drops. “Oh my god. OH MY GOD. I can’t believe I missed that because I went to get my stupid phone!”
Sarah’s voice comes over the mic, barely containing her laughter. “Okay folks, let’s get back to trivia. Question nine: In what year was the first women’s self-defense class officially recognized as?—”
The whole bar cracks up. Someone whoops. Eddie starts a slow clap that turns into actual applause.
Maren is staring at me with this mix of shock and pride and absolute delight. “You actually kneed him in the balls.”
“Iactuallykneed him in the balls,” I confirm, and then I’m laughing too, this giddy relieved laughter that bubbles up from somewhere deep in my chest. “That felt amazing.”
“You’re my hero,” Maren says solemnly.
“You know what? I’m feeling pretty damn good about myself too,” I say, still grinning like an idiot.
Eleanor pats my hand where it’s still pressed flat against the bar. “That’s my girl. I’m adding that move to my repertoire.” She heads back to her table, already pulling out her phone. Probably texting the entire Romance Raiders group chat.
Jayson gives me a thumbs up from the kitchen door before disappearing back to his domain.
And for the first time in three days, the weight in my chest feels just a little bit lighter.
CHAPTER 28
