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Chapter 10
CHARLI
Xander brings his truck to a stop outside Micky’s, and I glance toward the bar with a heavy sigh before turning back to him. “Thanks for the ride,” I say with a forced smile as I reach for the door handle, the movement making my head spin even more.
“No problem,” he says, killing the ignition and getting out of the truck before making his way toward the entrance. My feet hit the pavement as I stare after him, my brows furrowed. What the hell does he think he’s doing? After the smackdown I just gave, I think I can handle walking to the door by myself.
Realizing I’m not following him, Xander stops and turns back around just as he had in the alley with Lex, only now he doesn’t look as though he’ll be as forgiving of my shit. “Are you coming or what?” he asks with a raised brow, his tone suggesting I better hurry the fuck up.
Ugh, I guess I’m going to have to deal with a handler for the time being. Closing the big truck door, I hurry to catch up with him and step into his side. “You don’t need to come in,” I tell him as we walk the rest of the way to the door. “I’m a big girl. I can handle myself.”
“Bullshit,” he grumbles under his breath, reaching for the handle. “If I don’t follow your ass inside that door, you’re going to go up to your apartment, get ready for your shift, and work all night.”
“Um, yeah,” I reply, a little confused.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” he mutters to himself before eyeing me. “After what you’ve just been through, there’s no way I’m letting you work tonight. I would have taken you to the hospital if I thought there was even a slight chance you’d let me.”
“Not letting me work tonight?” I repeat with probably a little too much attitude, but seriously? “Who the hell do you think you are? I have a job to do, and I intend to do it. And for the record, I don’t require your permission to do so.”
As I attempt to rip him a new one, he smirks at me, which only infuriates me more. “Fuck, you’re a little firecracker, aren’t you?”
All I can do is stare. I mean, honestly, who is this guy? I know he’s sexy and all, but would he hold it against me if I clocked him in the jaw?
“Come on,” he says, cutting off whatever I was about to say. He holds the door open for me, and I huff as I give in and walk through.
Micky stands behind the bar and looks up at our entrance. “Hey, Charli, how was work?” he asks as he busily goes about his bar, preparing for the night ahead.
“Great,” I tell him as I take a seat at the bar. “Got a few new clients.”
“Good work, kid,” he commends, both hands filled with tequila bottles. “I knew all your hard work would pay off.” Once he has replaced the bottles, he turns to face me but notices Xander by my side. He eyes him warily, trying to work out what kind of people I’ve been hanging out with. “Who are you?” Micky grunts through a narrowed gaze, clearly not approving of me hanging out with random guys who just happen to be covered in dried blood.
“I’m Xander. Her boyfriend,” he replies, more than earning himself a good castration.
“You’re my what?” I sputter, looking at him as though he’s gone nuts. I mean, I know I got a knock to the head earlier, but I’m sure I would remember the conversation where an illegal underground fighter became my man.
Xander raises his chin to me, daring me to challenge him, and I realize that would only make his day. A small grin plays on those stupid lips that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about all week. “You heard me.”
I narrow my eyes at him, ready to blow when Micky cuts me off. “Can you two sort this shit out later?” he groans as he continues straightening up his bar. “I do not care for your little couples squabble. Now, what’s going on? Why are you down here instead of preparing for your shift?”
Xander cuts in before I have a chance to come up with some kind of excuse as to why he is here. “Figured I’d tell you about her afternoon seeing as though she won’t.”
Micky’s brows crease as he turns to me, his sharp stare filled with suspicion. “What’s he talking about?” he mutters in a tone that suggests I better hurry up and spill every last detail.
“Nothing,” I groan as I hop up off the stool, ready to make my way to my apartment. “I’m fine. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to get ready for work.”
