Kelsey may be small, but she runs a tight ship, and she laid down the law years ago that as long as no one causes any trouble, everyone is welcome. As far as I’m aware there’ve never been any issues but as soon as I walk across the deck and in through the blue saloon doors, I realize that’s about two seconds away from changing.
Everyone in the wooden booths and around the low crate tables is looking over at the bar where Mase and two of the Vipers are facing off. I vaguely recognize them from when we were kids but can’t remember their names.
Mase steps in front of a young woman and shoves a hand into one of the Vipers’ chests. “She told you she wasn’t interested. That means you walk away.”
The other Viper steps forward as his friend stumbles back. “How ’bout you mind your own fucking business, army boy.”
The Viper with the long blond hair smirks as he finds his footing. “Yeah, we were just having some fun, weren’t we baby?” He leers at the woman.
Kelsey locks eyes with me from behind the bar then ushers the woman away. Once she’s safe, Kelsey turns back to the Vipers. “You guys need to take this outside. Now.”
The long-haired Viper flashes her a toothy grin. “Ah relax Kelse. Nothing’s gonna happen. Mase here’s too pussy to fight without receiving orders.”
Fuck.I stride across the bar but I’m too slow to stop Mase’s fist from crunching the Viper’s nose.
“Motherfucker!” The guy lunges for Mase and lands a blow before I manage to pull him away. Mase isn’t done though.
“You think it’s fun to take advantage of women? To fucking rape them!” he shouts over my shoulder as I hold him back.
“What the fuck did you just say?” The Vipers pounce and I brace myself for a hit when a sharp whistle pierces the room.
Max, the Vipers VP, stands by the door, his glower burning into his crew. “Outside. Now.”
I let out a breath and catch Kelsey’s eye.
“Thought you might need a little back-up,” she says.
“Thanks.”
I push Mase onto one of the stools, pissed that apparently, he’s turned into an absolute idiot today. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
He sways on the stool. “You don’t touch women without permission.”
I glance at Kelsey who’s back behind the bar. She shakes her head. “He was coming on pretty strong, but he didn’t touch her.”
Mase sways again and I take in the empty beer glass in front of him. “Are you drunk?”
“Just had a couple,” he grumbles.
I blink in shock because Mase doesn’t drink. Ever.
He braces his forearms on the bar and stares at the wood. “She’s gonna get herself into trouble,” he murmurs, and I don’t think we’re talking about the woman in the bar anymore.
I sit down on the stool next to him. “Lola’s fine, Mase.”
Sorry eyes glance over at me. “You couldn’t have told me that four hours ago?”
“Four hours ago I was more worried about her than you.” The look on her face when she saw her parents’ reactions is burned into my retinas. Like a star blinking out of existence.
“Did you tell her to come home?”
I flip one of the drinks mats on the bar. “She’s moved out.”
He scoffs, then grumbles, “Have you seen the place?” A trace of resignation in his tone.
I study the old-fashioned fish nets hanging from the ceiling, so I don’t have to look at him. “It’s nice. Not huge but it’s gotgood bones. Great location.” I don’t like lying to my best friend but right now Lola needs me in her corner.
Mase nods. “It’s a shithole, isn’t it?
