“C-can I take your o-order?”The girl tried hard not to stutter, but she was flustered.
Suzie stood and crossed the short distance to the girl.She patted her on the shoulder and took the order pad from her.“I’ll take their order.You serve the other customers.”
The waitress stared blankly at her since they could both see the café had magically emptied.“Thanks,” she whispered after Suzie gave her an encouraging nod.
Suzie focused on the men.Now that she was closer, she could see they had ink on their chests and arms.Gang members of some description, given the patch on their jackets.Both had pale complexions and black hair, with one displaying signs of excessive drinking.The other had a bulbous nose and a cracked front tooth.
She smiled when she’d rather rip them a new one for tormenting a young girl trying to do her job.“Can I take your order, please?”
“We w-want the o-other girl,” Ruddy Cheeks said.
“She’s busy right now,” Suzie said, pencil poised.“I’m helping.Now, what can I get you?”
“We want our usual morning tea,” Bulbous Nose snapped.“One of everything and tea.”
Ah!Now Suzie understood.This was a shakedown racket.“Of course.That will be expensive, so I’ll need your credit card.”
“We don’t pay,” Ruddy Cheeks said with a growl.
“Then you won’t be getting any food,” Suzie supplied sweetly.
“Who’s stopping us from taking it, girlie?”Bulbous Nose snapped.
“Me,” Suzie said.
12
I Hate Bullies
Suziestaredatthetwo men.They were not attractive specimens.Along with having an aversion to water and soap, their clothes reeked of cigarette smoke, and Bulbous Nose’s faded black T-shirt bore a red splotch that brought blood to mind.
She pulled out her phone and hit several buttons.
“Who’re ya ringing?”Ruddy Cheeks demanded.
“The cops.This is extortion, and it’s against the law.”
“Ya bluffin’,” Ruddy Cheeks snarled.
“Try me.”She held up a hand as if to stop him talking.“Yes.This is Suzie from the Full Cup Tea shop.I have two male customers causing a disturbance.Could I have assistance in evicting them, please?Five minutes?That’s fine.”Suzie hung up and eyed the two men expectantly.If anything, they appeared nonplussed.
“You’re shittin’ us,” Ruddy Cheeks said finally.
“Nope,” Suzie chirped.“You’re bullies and rely on scaring people and forcing them to do your bidding.I don’t care how big and bad you are.I’m cranky, and you came across me at the wrong time.”
“Them’s fightin’ words,” Bulbous Nose said.“And you a tiny thing against two men.”
“Wow,” Suzie said, amazed one man could be so stupid.She had confidence since she’d trained with Isabella.Then, there was her shifter status, which made her stronger and faster than humans.
Evidently, Ruddy Cheeks wasn’t as foolish as Bulbous Nose.He rose and pushed back his chair.It scraped across the tiles while he glowered at her.
Suzie stood her ground, watchful and cautious.One of these idiots was going to break and hit her, and she hoped her confidence wasn’t misplaced.
It was Bulbous Nose who made the first move.He jumped up and sprang at her.Suzie moved automatically, the endless drills Isabella had subjected her to now instinct.She stuck out her foot, and Bulbous Nose sprawled headfirst into the neighboring table.Empty plates and a half-eaten sausage roll went flying on impact.Cups and saucers crashed to the floor, and one thumped Bulbous Nose over the head.Cold tea dripped over him, and he cursed, something inventive that made Suzie’s brows rise.She hadn’t heard that one before.She grinned, taking mental notes.One never knew when an excellent mouth-rounding oath would come in handy.
Bulbous Nose climbed to his feet and charged.Suzie used her speed to dodge him, then seized him from behind.She applied her foot to the back of his knee, and he went down.Unfortunately, Ruddy Cheeks had come to his senses and shoved her away from his friend.
“Leave my brother alone,” he shouted.
