“Hey there, beautiful.” His words were slurred, and they half sounded like his lips were swollen. “You look lonely.”
“Not in the least. I’m perfectly fine.” My voice was dismissive as I kept my gaze on the condensation forming on my glass.
He didn’t seem to register my polite rejection and leaned closer, his breath hot and smelling even more strongly of alcohol now. The invasion of my personal space curdled my blood.“Come on, beautiful. Let’s have some fun.” His hand reached out, a clumsy, possessive gesture that wrapped around my arm.
The air thickened, the pleasant hum of the bar fading into deafening silence in my ears. This wasn’t flirtation; this was violation. And I was tired of it. So very tired.
“You are over your drink limit and can’t access a room. More importantly, I said I’m not interested,” I repeated, my tone hardening. Instinctively, I moved my hand swiftly, in a practiced deflection I’d honed over years of having to fend off unwanted advances.
He stumbled, a surprised grunt escaping his lips before he landed heavily on the floor with a thud. A ripple of silence spread through the immediate vicinity, followed by a few nervous coughs. I stood, my hand still slightly raised, heart pounding, surrounded by the sudden, heavy quiet of the aftermath.
“Brandon, get security.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
A hand fell heavily on my shoulder, and I twisted, using my body as leverage this time to haul whoever this was over my shoulder and flat onto his back. When they landed with an, “Oof,” my eyes went wide.
Dropping to my knees, I prayed I hadn’t hurt him. “Oh fuck. Pretty Boy.”
Gasping for air but pride in his eyes, he said, “Never sneak up on Goddess. Noted.”
I left him momentarily to deal with the first problem, striding over to the drunk patron still sprawled on the floor, two security guards standing over him. I grabbed him by his collar and hauled him to his feet.
"This one," I said, shoving him toward them. The man stumbled, his face contorted with anger.
"You fucking bitch!" he slurred, lunging toward me. One of the guards caught him mid-lunge, twisting his arm behind his back.
"That's enough," the guard growled. "Let's go."
"Wait," I said, stepping closer and reaching over to pull off his Paradise button. "Your membership is officially revoked for violating our code of conduct and"—I smiled coldly—"for attempting to assault staff. Dumber still, the owner."
His face paled as recognition dawned. "You're—"
"Yes, not that it should have mattered one fucking bit. Now get out of my sight."
As they dragged him away, I returned to Gavriel, who was now sitting up and rubbing his back.
"I'm so sorry," he said immediately. "I should have announced myself."
"I'm the one who threw you. I should be the one apologizing. Are you hurt?" My hands moved with practiced efficiency, checking his shoulders, his back, his neck for any sign of injury.
"I'm fine, Goddess," he whispered, a hint of amusement in his voice despite the pain.
A low chuckle nearby drew my attention. Harley was leaning against the bar, watching us with undisguised interest.
"Get some ice for him, will you, Harley? I am pretty sure he’s gonna have a goose egg on the back of his head."
Shaking his head, he called back, “What, the Owl’s Talon can’t take a beating?”
“Fuck you, Harley,” Gavriel shouted back then looked at me. “I swear I’m going to put him on cleanup duty with that mouth of his.” Looking at me, he shook his head with a cocky smile. “I’m fine. You just caught me by surprise. Not the first time I’ve been laid on my ass. Even the Owl’s Talon gets tossed around a bit.”
“What would you be without your right-hand man? Besides, you hurt Harley and you will have to deal with me. He’s grown on me.” I helped Gavriel to his feet, my hand lingering on his arm longer than necessary. "You sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just took the air out of me is all.”
We made our way over to the bar and took our seats. A knowing smirk crossed Harley’s face, and I narrowed my eyes at him. "Not a word, Harley, do you understand?"
"Yes, Ms. Perkins." His voice was all innocence, but then he leaned in and whispered, "Or as Pretty Boy over here says, Goddess."
