“Nobody pulls that shit on me without feeling my fists,” the biker said.
I didn’t disagree with him.
Without moving my lips, I muttered, “One throw.Be fast.”
The biker’s body gave a slight twitch.With one hand he grabbed the asshole by the collar of his t-shirt, then he used his free hand to land a vicious left jab to the man’s nose.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Volt and Tundra were breaking things up with the other biker and the two rednecks.After a quick glance in the opposite direction, I noticed Lark and Blood were keeping things calm on that side of the room.
The brawl ended almost as fast as it started, thanks to the band’s lead guitarist causing ear-splitting feedback on the sound system.Funny how that screeching sound made most everyone stop what they were doing.
I grabbed the fruit-flicking asshole and escorted him outside.
“This is the second problem you’ve caused in as many days.Another time and you’re barred.Your buddies, too.”
“Fuck you,” he spat at me.
I fought off a lip curl but raised my eye brows.“If you want to play it that way, you can be barred right here and now.”
A knowing gleam hit his eyes.“You aren’t the owner, you’re just his lackey.”
I ignored the barb and stalked into the bar.
Back in the main room, the band had started a rock ballad from the late eighties.My guess, this was an attempt to ease the tension.It appeared as though most of the patrons had stuck around.
Killian sidled up to me.“Did you really let that guy take a swing?”
I didn’t know where Lark was, and a fib came easily to me.“No, man.He told me he was cool—”
“I’m not Lark.”
I twisted my head so I could lock eyes with him.“Would you let that shit go if you were in his boots?”
Killian chuckled.“Fuck, no.I also wouldn’t have let you get there first, though.”
I shook my head.“Whatever.You want to stay out front or what?”
“No fuckin’ way.I forgot how damn boring it is up here.”
Chapter 3
Stay Calm
Ivy
Four months later…
“I’vebeenthinking,”Chadsaid, popping a tray of chopped potatoes into my oven.
Every Sunday, I got together with him and we made dinner together.Our close friend Kristen joined us when she had the time, but tonight she had a family dinner.
Except for around the holidays, we kept it very casual.Since we were at my place, I was wearing one of my favorite Jane Austen inspired t-shirts and a pair of silky-soft lounge pants.Chad was dressed as casually as could be expected in a colorful pair of madras shorts and a mushroom-colored polo shirt.
“You’ve been thinking… I’m not sure if that’s good or bad.”
He leaned against the counter and grabbed his glass of white wine.“I think you messed up going to that bar by yourself back in May.”
I nodded.“Because you wanted to come with me, but Chad—”
