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“He will. Until then, he wants Anya to have more security.”
“He doesn’t think his own father will go after his wife, does he?” A crack like that in the family would be cause for worry. If father pits against son, it could mean a war within the family. And even if one side wins, no side wins.
Maxim grabs his coat. “He’s just being protective.” He raises an eyebrow. “Like sitting in a hole-in-the-wall bar watching your girl sling beers and chips all night.”
“Not all night.” I check my watch. “She gets off in half an hour.”
He laughs. “You’re as dense as ever, Luka.”
“You should go before you say something I find offensive.” There’s very little my good friend could say that would get me riled up enough to lay hands on him. Although were he to make any negative comment about Avery, it would be a long time before he regained consciousness again.
“Oh, you’re leaving?” Avery slides her tray onto the table with the two shots of vodka he ordered.
“Work calls.” He gives a placating smile. “It was good to meet you, Avery.” He inclines his head toward her. “I’m sure I’ll be seeing you again.”
She steps out of his way to let him pass.
“He wasn’t here long,” she says. I pick up one of the shots and throw it back. At least it’s a top shelf brand and not some home brewed garbage.
“A friend needs help.” I toss back the second shot. “You’re almost done here, yes?”
She frowns. “I’m not sure if Sharon is going to show for her shift. She’s usually early but she’s not here yet.”
“Should I send someone to pick her up?” I grab my phone from the table.
“No.” She reaches over and snatches it from me before I can swipe it open.
“Did you just take my phone?” I stand from the booth. She’s a full head shorter than me, if not a bit more. Standing over her like this should make her tremble. It’s made grown men piss themselves before. But the woman simply shrugs and smiles up at me.
“You were overreacting again.” She hands the phone back to me. “She’ll be here, I’m sure. Sending a bunch of Russians after her isn’t a good idea.”
“Why? Does she have something against Russians?”
“No.” She shakes her head. “She has something against kidnapping.”
“We only kidnap when it’s necessary.”
She rolls her eyes again. “I’m sure.”
“You question me?”
“Of course not, oh great Luka.” She mocks me with a sweeping bow. “I would never do something so bold.”
“You think because you’re at work, you’re immune from me.” I pick up her tray and hand it to her. “But you’ll see when I get you home how untrue that is.”
“I can’t leave until she gets here.”
“Do you mean the redhead who just walked in from the back?” I grab her shoulders and turn her around so she can see her relief has shown up. I lean down to her ear. “Do you want to keep up your little attitude, or do you want to save yourself a trip over my knee and finish your shift so we can go home?”
“It’s sort of busy. Maybe I should stay longer.”
“Not a chance.” I pat her ass. “Get going.”
She grumbles under her breath, and it’s low enough that I can’t understand exactly what she’s saying. I don’t need to either. She’s back to calling me insane and explaining how much I overreact. All of these things are true when it comes to her, but the truth won’t set her free in this situation. I want her home with me. I hate that she even works this fucking job. It’s a shit bar with a shit owner who has already proven he would sell his staff for his own safety.
The redhead delivers her first round of drinks to a table with four men sitting on stools. No less than a dozen empty bottles sit in the middle of the table, and they won’t let her clear them away when she tries. After sliding a beer in front of each man, she turns to walk away, but not before one of the men reaches down and pats her ass.
She frowns and shoots a glare over her shoulder but walks away from them while they share a hearty laugh. Sharon has a quick conversation with her boss, who looks over at the table of men and shrugs. She walks away, shaking her head.
