His demanding, icy tone sent a shiver up my spine as Jonas approached. Looking around Axel’s huge form, Richard stared up at him. “There’s no problem anymore. Just taking care of something I should have done a long time ago, Axel. You know how it goes when a teammate doesn’t carry their weight.”
“I do my job,” I added from around his side.
God, I hated him.
Axel reached back and swept me behind his body. I didn’t need him to protect me from anyone. “Apologize to him. Now.”
I grasped his left shoulder and pulled him back. Stepping back in front of him, I looked into those angry eyes that were focused on Richard. “Thank you, but it’s really okay. I’ve got this.” Placing my hands on his hard chest, I gently nudged him backward. His hands went to my arms, and his breathing changed when he looked down at me. I saw the minute his glare softened. “I appreciate your concern, but please go sit down. It’s okay. They’ll bring the beer over.”
Without taking my hands or eyes off him, Axel’s glare bounced from Richard to me. “I don’t care about the beer. I won’t allow him to treat you like that.”
No one has ever defended me, but me. And why he thought he could stop me from being fired was unfathomable. It was another example in a long list of rich, powerful men who ruled the world. Everything came at a price, and I wasn’t willing to pay it here.
Decker stepped in as I tried to figure out what to say to his friend. “Luca’s the best server you got in here,” Decker added. “No offense to the others. They’re great too.”
Axel’s hands spun me around out of the way again. Turning, he stepped in with Becker to form a human shield between us as they berated Richard. If I hadn’t seen the writing on the wall, I might have enjoyed watching them give him the verbal beatdown he deserved. I’m sure it would be on the internetbefore I left, and I couldn’t afford to be involved in something that could cost me my other job. Even if they talked him into keeping me, he’d make my life a living hell. It was clear I could never work here again.
Their debate about my character went on longer than I expected. As I listened, my fight slowly drained away. Axel Hughes knew nothing about me, yet here he stood, unnecessarily defending me after a single brief conversation.
I glanced at Mitch. His amused expression changed to one of empathy. “Sorry,” he mouthed.
Nodding, I stepped back, resigned to get out of here. “I’m going to go.” I motioned to the chaos in front of me. “Good luck, man.”
His lip lifted. “You too, Luca. I’d say don’t be a stranger, but…”
I knew what he meant. With one last look at them, I walked to my locker and took out my keys. Untying my apron, I placed it in the open locker so Richard wouldn’t think I stole it. Asshole. Heading to the back door, I looked around at the place I’d actually enjoyed working at. Melancholy set in, because I’d miss the customers and my coworkers. Richard could eat shit and die.
Unlocking the back door, I flung open the screen and stepped out into the humid, early evening heat. Sweat immediately broke out on my forehead as I pulled the stray hair from around my face. What the fuck was I going to do now? Rent was due in three weeks, and just the thought of being short sent my heart racing. As much as I hated Richard, I hated losing my job more.
As I strode down the alley, the last thing I expected was to hear Axel Hughes’ deep baritone calling my name. And that sent a whole different set of shivers down my spine.
Chapter 2
Axel Hughes
Where did he go? An overwhelming urge to find him took over as I left the bar. He didn’t deserve what had happened, and I needed to make it right.
Pushing through the back door, I looked around, then spotted him walking down the alleyway. His dark, silky hair had come loose, but his posture was sure and determined.
“Luca!” I called, jogging his way. He was about to get into an older model car that had seen better days when he turned, confusion written all over his face. As he narrowed his eyes at me, the breeze blew several wisps of hair across his face. I thought I saw a hint of despair, but it quickly changed into a smile. There was something about him that I couldn’t look away from.
As he leaned his left arm over the top of the car door, he tucked the hair behind his ears, then licked his lips. His warm brown eyes were those of an unmistakably kind person. “Hey. What are you doing out here? Did you need something?”
He tipped his head to the side in confusion. “I wanted to check on you.”
“I’m fine.” His smile tried to hide what had to be a difficult time. No one enjoyed being fired in front of a room full of people.“I appreciate you trying to help, but you didn’t have to do that. You should be with your friends.”
He was so wrong. “Yes, I did,” I replied. “That guy’s an asshole.”
He chuckled, then closed the door to lean against it. “Yeah, he is. But there’s no changing him.” His tone softened. “This city is huge. I’ll find another job.”
My brows drew together. “I overheard what you said. What is it that you do?”
His face brightened when he spoke. “I have the privilege of looking after senior citizens who need someone. I’m a social worker, specializing in elderly clients.”
My heart grasped onto the realization. “What exactly do you do for them?”
His eyes softened. “I help them find appropriate housing and make sure they have food and medical care. I arrange transportation to their doctor appointments and go visit to check on them. Most don’t have a family to care for them, so that becomes me. They deserve the best I can give them.” He stopped and waved me off. “You don’t want to hear all of that.”
