Were there no one else to answer to, Hades would’ve put his fist through Ballus’ face, through his skull, and it still wouldn’t have been enough.
“I thought he was sick?” Aaren yelped.
Reluctantly, Hades took a closer look at the other alpha. Ballus was squinting, with dark circles under his eyes and his nose red.
“Might still be,” he muttered, quietly and too far away for Ballus to hear. “But that’s no fucking excuse to say that shit to you.”
Aaren turned, sending him a panicked look. “Don’t—”
“I won’t,” Hades said, clenching his fists. “And I’m not happy about it.”
Ballus looked suspiciously between Aaren and Hades. “Who the fuck is that?”
Aaren straightened his shoulders, raising his voice. “Weren’t you sick? I made food for you, it’s in the fridge!”
“It’s cold,” Ballus said sullenly.
“Wow,” Aaren said.
Olson was staring at Ballus with barely concealed disgust. Hades felt the same.
“So? Where is my free lunch?” Ballus asked loudly.
“I ate it!” Aaren lied. “It’s not yours!”
“The hell you did, you fat-ass,” Ballus said, sneering.
Hades’ knuckles itched so badly, he had to clench his fists and focus on his promise. “Get in the kitchen, sweetheart. Out of here so you’re not a target.”
“But he’s my mess,” Aaren groaned. “I’m so fucking embarrassed.”
He made to step forward, toward Ballus, like maybe he wanted to drag Ballus out of the bar to hiss at him.
“Sweetheart,” Hades said just loud enough for Aaren to hear. “You look like you’ve just been thoroughly kissed and fucked. Don’t get too close to him right now.”
Aaren froze, his ears turning bright red.
Olson straightened to his full height, sending Rex a glance. Rex narrowed his eyes but settled back on his barstool, sitting out of the confrontation. Olson turned to Ballus. “I’msorry. Did you read the employee contract before you made your assumptions?” he said coldly. “Employee meals are not transferable to anyone else. Even if they were, my employees get first dibs on their food. Whether or not you think they should eat it. That’s not something you have the right to decide.”
Ballus sneered. “Who are you? I want to speak to your manager!”
Aaren cringed. Gods, this really was humiliating. Hades felt so sorry for him.
“I own this bar,” Olson said loudly, to the cheering of some patrons. “And I would like you to remove yourself from the premises.”
“You? An omega? Owning this bar?” Ballus scoffed. “All you’re good for is bending over—”
Hades was moving before anyone else did. He grabbed Ballus by the arm anddraggedhim to the front door, shoving him onto the street.
“Who the fuck are you?” Ballus shrugged off his grip and whirled around with a snarl.
Hades could think of ten different ways to knock him unconscious, and a few more to stop his heart, right here. “I’m the co-owner of the bar,” he said calmly, his pulse thundering with violence. “Unfortunately, verbally abusing my employees and co-owner is a violation of our terms of service. Why don’t you take ten, and cool off elsewhere? Before I have to call the police.”
Ballus scowled and eyed Hades venomously. Hades stared back, letting his bloodlust show on his face—the cold stare of a man who wasn’t afraid to end Ballus’ life.
It would be so fucking easy.
Ballus seemed to understand. He backed away with a hiss. “You’re fucking insane. I didn’t want that omega’s food, anyway.”
