Luckily, a swarm of people crowd into the bar as a show ends. We spend the next few hours on our own sides of the bar, mixing drinks and making sure our customers are happy and having an enjoyable time.
I probably need to ask Xander what I’m supposed to say to people about Roman. How do I explain having a bodyguard? I’m not even in danger. Xander is… overreacting because of the guy who attacked me. He seems more traumatized by it than I am. Maybe it’s because I’ve dealt with men staring and being inappropriate toward me my entire life. I was scared the other night because it was the first time someone had followed me like that, but in the back of my head, I think I knew Xander would show up.
“Baby girl.” The deep gravel of Xander’s voice has me snapping my head up from pouring an Old Fashioned.
Xander informed me on the way to work today that he would be taking over the hotel and casinos I work at. Something about him and his brothers rotating so they can make sure all their businesses are running up to the highest potential. Honestly, it sounded like a bunch of crap, and considering it’s Xander, I’m pretty sure he’s forced his brothers to switch so he could be near and watch me.
“I’m starting to think you’re obsessed with me,” I say softly so only he can hear.
He laughs and winks at me. “Baby, I’ve been obsessed with you from the second you looked up at me with those pretty brown eyes.”
I smile, but on the inside, my chest is exploding. God. He’s so damn sweet and gentle with me, and from what I can tell, only me. It’s pretty dang hot.
“So, um, Josh,” I start, using my thumb to motion to the other side of the bar. “Was asking about Roman, and I’m not sure what to say.”
His eyebrows turn into a scowl as he scans behind me. “Who the fuck is Josh?” The darkness in his voice sends a shiver down my spine.
“He’s the other bartender. He’s my friend.”
Xander leans over the bar until his face is only a few inches from mine. “I’m going to go have achatwith yourfriend.”
My eyes double in size when Xander narrows his gaze at me, clenching his jaw.
Oh, shit.
This is probably not good.
“Wait!” I call out, trying to reach for his sleeve to stop him, but my arm is too short.
Xander strides around the bar with a scowl. Instead of talking to Josh from the customer side, he goes behind and only stops when he’s toe-to-toe with my coworker.
People standing at the bar stop talking to watch whatever is about to unfold.
Whatever this is, it’sdefinitelybad.
Double shit.
CHAPTER 39
Xander
AS LONG AS YOU TELL THEM YOU’RE MINE
“Xander Savage.Quinn belongs to me. She seems to think you’re a nice guy, which I’ll decide later. If you touch her or even look at her in a way I don’t like, best case, I ruin your entire fucking life. Most likely scenario, you die a painful, agonizing death. Any questions?”
I’ve met Josh before. He’s a nice guy. Nice, and easy on the eyes. He makes a lot of money bartending because he’s good at it, and he’s a fucking flirt. I have no doubt he has one-night stands with customers all the time. A lot of our single employees who just want to have fun do. And as long as they aren’t creating drama in our establishments, we look the other way.
Quinn is a different story.
She’smine.
Josh stares at me, and I’m barely aware there’s a crowd of people in front of us, watching. It’s unlikely any of them heard what I said with all the background noise of the slot machines, but they know this isn’t a friendly exchange.
After a long moment, he slowly nods. “I hear you loud and clear.”
I look him up and down once more before I take a step back. We’ll likely be sued for this. My brothers are going to have a fucking field day.
“Xander,” Josh says when I turn around to leave.
