Completely predictable, Cody made straight for Holly, who was carrying a heavy tray full of drinks.
Simon slammed the tub he carried on the nearest table and pushed his way through the men in leather jackets to get to Holly.
Holly, unaware of the man advancing on her, bent to unload her tray a drink at a time. She’d set the third of five in front of a customer when Cody approached her from behind.
Still too far from her to help, Simon shoved at people standing in his way.
“Hey!” A giant of a man with a shaggy gray beard hanging down over his chest, wearing a black leather jacket, stepped in front of Simon. “Calm your ass down before someone takes you out back and teaches you some manners.”
Simon shook his head, his gaze on Holly talking with Cody. When the bastard grabbed for her hand, she glared at him.
“Excuse me, sir,” Simon said. “My girlfriend is in trouble. I need to get to her ASAP.”
The big motorcycle club member frowned and looked over his shoulder to gaze in the direction Simon had been headed. “Oh, in that case,” he stepped to the side, “don’t let me hold you up. Need help?”
Simon shook his head. “No, thank you. I think I can handle it for now.”
“The name’s Mace Lafayette,” the big guy said. “Yell if you need backup.”
“Thanks, Mace.” Simon continued pushing his way through. When he was within three people of reaching his goal, Cody grabbed Holly and hauled her up against his barrel chest.
Simon shoved through the men in front of him, making one of them spill the beer he held.
“Son of a bitch,” the man yelled.
Simon didn’t stop to apologize. He reached for Cody, clamped a hand on the man’s shoulder and yanked him backward and off balance.
Cody released his hold on Holly, teetered, steadied and spun, his cheeks a ruddy red, eyes blazing. “What the fuck!”
“The lady isn’t into you,” Simon said. “Leave her the fuck alone.”
Behind Simon, a voice said, “Dude, you made me spill my beer.”
He ignored the man and his beer, more intent on keeping Holly safe.
“Holly’s my girl, not yours.” Cody balled his fists. “And I’ve had about enough of your interference.” As Cody cocked his arm, the man behind Simon clapped a meaty hand on Simon’s shoulder. “You owe me?—"
Cody swung.
Simon saw it coming and dodged to the side.
Cody’s fist missed Simon and landed in the face of the biker who’d been behind Simon.
The biker roared and punched Cody.
Cody fell back into another man wearing MC leathers, who fell into another biker, and the Crawdad Hole became a free-for-all fight between biker gangs and locals.
Holly raised her tray like a shield and worked her way back to the bar.
With fists flying and men shoving, Simon couldn’t fight his way through the melee to get to her fast enough.
Rene, the bar owner, rallied the wait staff and sent them to the back storeroom as he pressed his cell phone to his ear.
A man clocked Simon in the chin, spinning him around. He didn’t have time to fight his way through a dozen pissed-off bikers. He had to get to Holly.
When the guy came at him again, he was ready. He dodged the punch, grabbed the man’s arm as it flew past his ear, yanked it down and twisted it up and behind the guy. Then he heaved him forward, toppling the other men standing in Simon’s way.
Now, with a semi-clear path, he clambered over the pileup and vaulted over the bar. As he cleared its shiny surface, the bar owner raised a small airhorn canister and blasted noise that cut through the shouts and yelling.
