After washing my hands, I exit the bathroom to the sound ofBow Downby I Prevail blasting throughout the bar. I stop short of the end of the hallway when I feel eyes on me. Goosebumps raise on my arms as I make eye contact with a pair of dark brown, beady eyes that are staring me down through the group playing pool. He’s wearing dark colored jeans, combat style boots and a black hoodie that’s pulled up over his head. His greasy auburn hair pokes out around the rim of his hood. My heart slams against my rib cage and I try to shake off the gut feeling of needing to run. It’s the same man who waited for me outside after I kicked him out for trying to grab onto me more than once a month ago.I don’t want to deal with this shit.I steel my nerves and pull my shoulders back then go to take my place back behind the bar.
Just before I make it to the safety of behind the bar, a hand wraps around my wrist. I turn around and look down at the long, skinny fingers that grip my wrist and rip it out of his hold. My eyes dart to the back corner whereI see Cole and Maverick watching the interaction intensely. Maverick is about to stand when Cole says something to him and he pauses. His face remains calm, but I can see his body vibrating from here.
“Get your fucking hands off of me.” I say through gritted teeth. Yanking my arm from his grasp, I walk back behind the bar and over to a couple whose glasses are empty, and ask if they’d like refills or to close their tab. They ask for a refill and I grab the bottle. When I turn back around the red-headed man is sitting in a seat next to them and he gives me a grin that makes me shiver. Walking over to the bar, I ignore the man's presence and pour the couple their drinks. They thank me then head towards the dart board area, and I turn to put the bottle away but I’m grabbed once again. This time he yanks me closer to him, with one hand wrapped around the bar to anchor himself. I can feel Maverick’s presence close by, but this man is oblivious because he just stares at me and smiles.
“How about we give us another try, Babydoll. Whatta ya say?” He says in a low mocking tone that fuels the rage boiling inside of me.
I stare at his hand wrapped around my left wrist for a moment before I look back into his shit brown eyes and offer him a sweet smile. “I said, get your fucking hands off of me.” I grit out and watch as his eyes begin to simmer with anger. Bringing back my right hand that's holding the bottle, I swing it like an axe, coming down on top of the hand he has wrapped around the bar. Glass explodes and alcohol rains down on my arms and face. Blood pours from his hand as he lets out a pained scream and releases my arm to clutch his injured hand, just as a massive shadow appears behind him.
Chapter twenty-three
The bar falls silentwith the exception of the little bitch in front of me who clutches his hand as he screams. Parker stands there, staring at him with amusement as she grabs the bar rag and starts wiping her arms. Her eyes meet mine and my dick hardens instantly when she lifts her chin and smirks. God, I love that nothing seems to rattle her. I love how fierce she is.
“Now, get the fuck out.” She says calmly and points towards the door.
“Fuck you, you stupid bitch!” He shouts and spit flies from his mouth.
“Wrong answer.” I say, my voice low and calm; though I feel anything but. He turns his head to look up at me.He didn’t notice I was behind him.His eyes trail up my body until they meet mine and his jaw goes slack. His eyes widen then glance to my side where Cole stands.
“Fuck-” He starts but I grab the back of his head and send his face bouncing off the top of the bar before he can finish. His nose makes an audiblecrunchsound as his face meets the wood, and when he groggily lifts his head, blood pours from his nose and mouth. He lets out another pained scream and the rest of the customers gasp.
“Cole, get everyone out of here.” I say as I grab the piece of shit by the back of his hoodie and yank him backwards, sending him flying off the barstool. He lands on the hardwood floor flat on his back and the air leaving his lungs gives off an audiblewhooshsound. Cole whistles and turns to face the crowd that’s gathered to watch the commotion.
“You heard him folks, time to go. Everyone out. You can settle your tabs tomorrow.” He announces and starts ushering people to the door. I leave the man laying on the floor and make my way over to where Parker stands. She remains rooted in place and her body is tense. She’s breathing heavily but her eyes remain locked on the asshole who’s now rolling on the floor crying and cradling his injured hand to his chest.
“Hey.” I say quietly as I round the bar and come up behind her then place my hands on her shoulders. She jumps at the contact and spins to face me. Her wide eyes soften when she sees me and her shoulders fall slightly. “Are you okay?” I ask, searching her face. She nods.
“I’m fine. I just need a minute.” She says and I nod, letting her pass by me and walk into the bathroom. Once the door closes I round the bar again and slowly make my way back over to the sack of shit. Cole has effectively and swiftly gotten everyone out of the bar and he comes back inside then locks the door behind him. He comes to a stop next to me and looks down at the man who's now staring at the both of us from his back.
“What do you want to do with him?” Cole asks. I think for a moment and then start walking a slow circle around him. His eyes follow my movements and I come to a stop again at his feet. Tipping my head to the side, I contemplate what to do. He tries to hurriedly scoot himself backwards away from me. Cole laughs and stomps down on his arm. I can hear his bones crunch and he does his best to hold in a scream. Glancing over my shoulder, I see a chair that’s sitting against the wall by the pool table area and walk to grab it. I stride back to where the man is and slam the chair down on the ground above his head. He startles, his eyes widening briefly before he schools his expression and attempts to give me a look that says “you don’t scare me”, which I find comical–considering his blubbering just a few minutes ago.
Cole bends down and grabs the scrawny fucker by the front of his hoodie and drops him onto the chair. Still holding the hand Parker smashed, he glares at me. Cole pats the man on his shoulder and chuckles before he leans down next to the man's face and speaks.
“You’re about to have areallybad night.” He stands and looks at me. His eyes glitter with amusement. “This is giving me deja vu.” I can’t help the laugh that escapes me.I’m starting to like this kid a little more.I drag the chair closer to a table that sits against the front windows of the bar, and the man tries to get up and run but I grab him by the shoulder; pushing him back down into the seat.
“Calm the fuck down. We’re just going to have a little chat.” I say, rolling my eyes at his dramatics as the bathroom door opens and I look over to Cole. “I have some chains in the bed of my truck.” He nods, understanding exactly what I’m wanting. He turns to walk out the front door and Parker comes to a stop beside me.
“What are you going to do with him?” She asks in a quiet, curious tone. Looking down at her, I see her amber eyes locked on the piece of shit who writhes underneath my iron grip on his shoulders. He stops when he sees her and speaks.
“You’re going to regret this, you fucking whore.” He spits and blind rage consumes me. My fists clench and my mouth runs dry. But before I can make a move to wipe this son of a bitch from existence, Parker steps forward and launches her foot into his chest, knocking the chair and him over. The chair clatters to the floor beside him and he lands with a loud crash, his pained groans becoming louder. Parker looks over at me and I see the fury in her eyes.God, she’s perfect.
“Do you know this guy?” I ask with my eyebrows raised.
“I don’tknowhim. He’s been in here a few times, though. I threw him out about a month ago for the way he was hitting on me. He was waiting for me in the parking lot when I left. His name is Alex, I think.” My blood boils when I hear this isn't the first run she's had with him.He waited for her? What the fuck was he going to do?I’ve met a handful of Alex-types in the past. Little man with a Napoleon complex who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
Unfortunately for him, Parker isn’t his.She’s mine.
Cole strolls back through the door as I bend down to pick up the chair, the chains hanging from his hands rattling together as he walks towards us. Reaching out, he places them in my hands then bends down to yank Alex to a stand before depositing him into the chair once more.
“Put his left hand on the table for me.” I tell Cole and he complies. Alex begins to squirm as I step toward him.
“Quit fucking moving you scumbag.” Cole says, rolling his eyes as he easily holds said scumbag in place.
“You’re going to regret this. All of you. Fucking let me go!” Alex shouts.
“Yeah, yeah. Heard it all before.” I grab his greasy hair in my fist and wrench his head back, forcing his eyes to meet mine. “Now, shut your fucking mouth.” I warn. Releasing his hair, I begin wrapping the long, thick chain around Alex’s shoulders and torso. I cross the tail ends behind his back and look at Cole. He looks down at the chain then smirks when he realizes what I’m asking him to do.
“Oh this is going to be fun.” Cole chuckles and grabs the ends of the chain and pulls tight, causing Alex to scream.
