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The guy squeezed his eyes shut and begged for his life as Jaxson shoved him in my direction, his cheek scraping and catching on the broken glass. Several customers grabbed their drinks and hopped back from the bar to get out of the way. Blood leaked from the man’s lips, but I stayed rooted on the barstool.
I took another swig of beer before putting the bottle down.
I wasn’t going anywhere.
Tonight had started innocently enough. I wandered into the bar, hoping the tip I’d received about Jax coming in later would pay off. What I found was a bar filled with regulars who knew one another, an active pool table, a friendly dart competition, and absolutely no sign of the Volkovs.
I was already in a rough neighborhood and didn’t want to make my night worse. I’d given it twenty minutes and was about to leave when it happened.
Jaxson Volkov walked inside and beelined for the man who was now getting his face bloodied.
I was nursing a beer when I saw Jaxson. It was like the room stood still. Men straightened up and women did the opposite. I turned my attention back to the bartender and ordered another beer.
There was no doubt about who Jaxson Volkov was. He owned wherever he walked. His dominance skimmed over the weaker men and beckoned the women with impossible promises. His broad shoulders filled out his black suit jacket and his slacks skimmed his muscular thighs. There was a reason the women forgot who they’d walked into the bar with. They hoped they’d walk out with this guy.
It only took a minute or two from the time Jaxson walked into the building to the moment when a man’s head was driven down the bar in my direction at lightning speed. I wanted to feel a little spark of fear or an adrenaline rush, but I felt neither.
I only felt determination.
When Jaxson realized I had no plans to move, he stood in front of me with his fingers still digging into the man’s neck.
“Excuse me?” His piercing blue eyes connected with mine, and I felt an unexpected flutter. “You’re in my way.”
“Did it occur to you that maybe you’re in mine?” My brow arched, and I crossed my leg, taking another sip.
“Never crossed my mind.” He looked down at the man, who was still whimpering. “It’s gonna get messy.”
“Hasn’t it already?” My brows pulled together as my eyes fell to the bloodied marble near my beer. The smell of spilled alcohol wafted through the air.
I saw Jaxson push down a smile and grab the man off the bar, but rather than let him go, he hauled him around me, smacked his head back down on the marble, and shoved him to the end of the bar. I was pretty certain the last crack involved his nose breaking.
Jaxson leaned over again, whispering something more to the guy, who appeared almost lifeless.
When Jaxson straightened up, his body language suggested he wasn’t thrilled with whatever answer the guy did or didn’t give him.
“Who are you?” I asked, pretending I didn’t have a clue.
Jaxson turned to look at me. His startling blue eyes connected with mine, and I took in a steady breath as I waited for his answer.
“His worst nightmare.” He flashed a wry grin before turning his attention back to the man.
“I didn’t mean it,” the man whimpered, and Jax shook his head just as he cracked his elbow on the man’s neck.
I watched him drop like a rock but turned my attention away pretty quickly.
“Would you like another beer?” the bartender asked as he wiped the bar down with cleaner and a bar rag, quickly removing all the crimson.
“I’m good.” I looked around the bar and saw a few eyes on the scene next to me, but most knew to keep their gazes down.
“I’ll take a whisky on the rocks,” Jaxson said, sliding next to me as the man lay on the floor.
“Aren’t you worried he might get up?” I asked, leaning against the bar.
“Not particularly.”
The bartender slid the drink to Jaxson.
“I’m Jax.” He stuck out his hand. “And you are?”
