I’m distracted by the thoughts, so I don’t notice the mustache man’s approach until he’s cupping my ass. “You’re gonna be rethinking your choices for tonight.”
I try to jerk away from him, but he’s trapped me against the bar. Acting aggressively is always the wrong strategy with menlike this. I know it from long experience. So I paste on that saccharine smile again. “I’m still thinking.”
“Hands off, buddy.” That’s Pete, as mild and nonchalant as he always is. “Until she makes her choice.”
“She’s already made her choice.” He’s leaning his whole body into mine. The only way to get away would be to give him a shove, and I’d rather avoid that if I can. “Haven’t you, babe?”
I open my mouth to say something—anything that might miraculously defuse this situation and get this gross man out of my face—when he’s suddenly dragged off me by force.
Someone grabs him by the back of his leather jacket, hauls him backward, and then tosses him several feet toward the front door.
Cade.
The mustache man stumbles several steps, can’t catch himself, and ends up on the floor. He jumps up almost immediately with a roar of outrage.
“Throw a punch and you’ll be banished,” Pete tells him. “You got what was coming to you. Nell has no tolerance for brawling. You won’t get another warning.”
Cade has placed his body between mine and mustache man’s. He’s glowering fiercely although he hasn’t said a word.
The mustache man is furious, but he must know Pete’s threat is real. And the possibility of losing access to the Pub is too risky a gamble. He scowls at Cade, muttering, “You and me aren’t through.”
Cade still says nothing, and the mustache man summons what’s left of his dignity before he strides toward the exit.
Good. He’s leaving. I hope he stays away a long time.
“Y’okay?” Cade asks, turning around to search my face. “Did he hurt you?”
“No. He was just being an asshole. I’m fine. But thank you.” My eyes drop as pleasure floods my chest and saturates the rest of my body. “I thought you weren’t coming.”
“Course I was.” He frowns at me. “Had a couple of problems on the road.”
“Oh. I’m glad you’re here.” I glance toward my section. “Your table is still empty. I’ve got to grab some food, but I’ll get your drinks as soon as I can.”
“Sounds good.” He pauses, his eyes moving from my face to the floor and to my face again. “You sure look pretty today.”
After that, my mood has a remarkable uplift.
The mustache man doesn’t reappear, and Cade is here after all, sitting in his normal spot, his eyes following me everywhere I go.
So all is well again.
It’s getting toward closing time, and I’m anticipating taking Cade upstairs as I wipe down the tables in my section that have been vacated, when I notice a fluster over near the door to the kitchen.
Pete strides over, moving quicker than I normally see him, and stands at the doorway to see inside. Danny is closer than I am and must be able to see what I can’t. He drops an empty tray with a clatter and sprints into the kitchen.
Stiffening with a rush of anxiety, I hurry over too. Since Pete is still holding the door open, he steps aside to let me in.
It’s Poppy. Something has happened to her. She’s on the bench against one wall, hunkered over awkwardly. Danny has his arm around her, and Marsha, an older lady who washes dishes, is leaning over and saying something.
“What happened?” I ask, rushing over to sit on the opposite side of Poppy. “What is it?”
Danny meets my eyes bleakly over Poppy’s bowed head. “She was taking out the garbage and that fucker raped her. Right there in the backyard.”
“Oh no. Oh my God. I’m so sorry.” I bend at the waist, leaning forward so my face is on the same level as Poppy. “Can you talk to me for just a minute? I’ll understand if you can’t.”
“I can,” Poppy says, lifting reddened eyes to look at me. “It took like a minute. He grabbed me and was at it before I knew what was happening. Then it was over before it started. But it was?—”
“It was horrifying. I know. I’m so, so sorry. Was it the mustache man?”
