On the Rocks (Pub Fiction Book 2) (28 page)

Levi notices, and says “Braunwyn, go to my office to make your call. I don’t want you sitting in here right now. Besides the cops are going to want your statement. It’s probably better if you wait for them there.”

“Okay, yeah. That’s better,” I agree, staring down at the pool of blood again as I make my way over to the lockers. Images of the tiny bathroom back in the Mount Forest apartment start flashing back in waves. Shaking my head, I try in vain to rid the images of Shawn’s blood congealing on the wet floor from my mind.

I reach into my locker, grab my bag and jacket, then stop to take a deep breath, as Hillary taught me. I rub my finger along my new talisman, my arrow tattoo, whispering to myself, “That was then, this is now, move forward. It’s over. Everything is going to be all right.” I compose myself before walking back into Levi’s arms, carrying my things.

“You sure you’re okay, baby?” Levi takes me gently by the shoulders and looks me in the eyes.

“Yeah, I guess. It’s just that there’s a lot of blood. He’s going to be okay, right?” my voice trembles.

“He’s going to be fine, Braun. Please don’t worry. I broke his nose, that’s where all the blood came from. Let’s just get you outta here,” he says before wrapping me in his arms and walking us toward the door. “I’m not leaving you. Big John and Luke can deal with everything,” he says, his jaw clenched.

I can tell he’s more upset than he’s letting on. And I know without having to get into it that he knows my mind has wandered back to Shawn. I know Levi struggles with how Shawn allowed me to find him like that, despite us both knowing it wasn’t something he planned. I admitted to Levi that it took me a long time to forgive Shawn for that. But I also I strongly believe he just wasn’t in the right frame of mind to factor in how it would impact anyone else.

I stop us at the threshold. “No. You go do what you need to do. I’m all right to go to the office by myself. I was just a bit shaken there; not just about what happened with Chase, the flashback upset me more, I think. I just really want to talk to Grams right now. It’s been a while since I’ve seen so much blood; it brought me back there for a bit. But I promise I’m okay,” I smile, trying to ease the tension I feel him radiating.

“I know, baby. I know. You holler if you need me. But I’m sending Beth back with you. My brave fucking girl.” He pulls me close, kissing me as if his life depended on it. Before he turns to leave, I see Levi pull out his phone and dial. “Finn, it’s me. I need that security guy you use. Yeah, I need his name and number. I’m beefing up security here, especially from the hallway to the bar. I want cameras, and an automatic locking door, and whatever else I can get. Yeah, no, I’m okay…nah, man, I’m good, just pissed. That douche, Chase Mitchell. Braunwyn. Yeah…she’s okay…thanks…” I hear him go on as he leaves me in front of his office.

I sit behind Levi’s desk and take a few deep breaths before calling Grams. I need her reassurance. I need to tell her about what happened, how it triggered thoughts of Shawn, and how pissed I am at myself, at Chase. I just need her voice right now. It’s not that I’m injured, I’m honestly more pissed at myself for putting myself in a potentially dangerous situation. To think that I was going to let Chase’s comments slide and keep them to myself.
Well, never again, buddy. I can tell you that for sure,
I think, while listening to the line connecting. I know Grams is going to lecture me by going over all the safety tips she’s given me since I started working here, and I’m okay with that. I think part of me wants the lecture.

Thank goodness Levi came when he did.

Levi

“Y
ou’re a very
lucky woman, Miss Daniels. I’m happy things ended the way they did here tonight,” I hear Constable Williams saying to Braun as they walk back out to the main bar. Big John and I cut across the dance floor to meet them halfway.

“Everything taken care of?” I ask, looking from Constable Williams and Constable Cortez to Braun.

“Yes. All sorted,” says Cortez, who turns to talk to Big John.

“I’m so relieved Chase isn’t filing assault charges against you or John,” Braun says quietly, her eyes a bit misty. I hate the shadow I see there, one I haven’t seen in months. My girl is shaken up and it’s gutting me. Pulling her close, I hold her tight, whispering in her ear.

“I could have cared less. I will always protect and fight for you, Braunwyn. Always. That fucker is lucky John got there when he did.”

“Oh, Levi.” She presses deeper into my neck. I hold her tight while John wraps up with the officers.

“Well, we’re going to get out of here. Give us a call after you’ve installed your new security system if you want us to check over the plans and what not,” I hear Officer Cortez telling Big John.

“Sounds good, Miguel, I’ll be sure to get you guys back here. Thanks for helping diffuse the situation…” I hear John trailing off as he walks the officers away from where Braun and I are sitting at the bar.

Pulling back from Braun’s embrace, I look at her. Really look at her, and I see it. She’s going to be fine, we’re going to get past this. I smile. “Why don’t you go grab your stuff from the office? I’ll lock up behind John and I’ll meet you back here in a few.” She nods in agreement.

“Sounds good,” she says. “I told Grams I’d give her a quick call after we all gave our statements and knew what was going on with charges and whatever. I know she was worried you might get charged with assault. Thank goodness, Constable Williams saw it as you defending me. I was worried there.”

“Nah, I knew it was going to work out.” I’m a liar, but the last thing I want her to know is that there was a very good chance that I could have been charged with aggravated assault, considering how badly Chase’s nose and cheekbone were broken. Thank fuck Big John has connections like he does, and thank fuck I’ve always been an upstanding citizen. Also, the fact that we never have issues here seemed to help, not to mention that Chase has a bit of a rap sheet, according to John, which he said helped me a lot. I don’t let on to Braun how relieved I’m feeling; the last thing I want is Braun blaming herself, while thinking over what might have happened. Instead I kiss her and tell her it’s all over. (Until the day she has to go court to testify against Chase, of course, unless by some stroke of luck the shithead ends up pleading guilty).

“It would have been worth it to keep you safe, Braun. Always. I will always protect you. Now, go make your call. Tell Grams everything is okay, and that we’ll be there soon. I’m staying with you tonight. I need you with me.”

“Yes, Bossy Pants,” she says, saluting as she walks away.

Then she turns and gives me that fucking smile, the one that slays me, and just like that I know all is right in my world again.

*

Heading behind the
bar, I decide to pull out two beers. I figure John and I deserve a drink after all that.

“Thank fuck that asswipe didn’t press charges against you, eh? I was seriously thinking the little pussy might try,” Big John says, pulling up a stool.

“Fuck, brother, me too. That’s the last thing I needed to happen after everything else tonight. I need a drink. Figured you could use one too.” I snap off the bottle caps and hand him a bottle of Coors Light.

“Hell, I think we do.
Salute
.” We clink bottles before taking a chug.

Rubbing my hands along my face, I finally relax a bit. Fuck me.
Imagine if I hadn’t got there in time?
Jesus, the idea causes me to clench the bottle in a death grip. I quickly put it back down on the bar.

“I want to hire another bouncer,” I say, exasperated. “We need cameras installed around the perimeter. I want eyes everywhere.”

“We can do that. Easily. Don’t worry about it tonight, anymore. Just take care of you and your girl.”

“Thank Christ that piece of shit Chase knew better than to try and deny what happened. I was getting worried there for a bit that I was going to end up in jail alongside that motherfucker. I’m not gonna lie.”

“Yeah. Brother, I’ve never seen you lose it like that before. You need to rein that shit in a bit. Might not get so lucky next time, and get yourself locked up.”

“John,” I growl, at his condescending tone. “I just saw that fucker and saw red, man. Besides, what the fuck took you so long anyway? And why was that prick still inside if he’d been giving the girls trouble all night?!”

“Fuck that, Levi. We had eyes on him. Trust me.” He eyes me. “I admit it took a bit too long to clue in where he’d gone, but that will change, believe me. We were packed tonight, too short-staffed for that many people. Adding another guy or two is smart at this point. I’ve called all the guys in for a strategy meeting tomorrow. I’m sorry, my friend, believe me. Thank fuck things worked out in our favour. I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

“I know, brother, I know it wasn’t your fault. I’m sorry, I’m just so pissed this happened here. I always thought my staff were safe.”

“Hey. They are. And now we’re just gonna make it better. I told Miguel to put out feelers to see if I can get another retired cop in here with me. Or maybe even a rookie looking for some weekend work. We’ll get somebody good, don’t worry. We’ll sort it all out.” With that, Big John takes the last gulp of his beer. “I’m off. My woman’s been blowing up my phone, wants dill pickle chips or some shit. Fucking cravings, they’re gonna be the death of me.”

I laugh; Big John and his wife Mia are expecting their first baby.

“Okay, buddy. Sounds good. Give that little Buddha-belly a rub from Uncle Levi, would ya?” I add knowing he’s going to kick my ass for even suggesting I give her any kind of touch.

“Hell, no asshole, any touching of Mia will be from me and me only. I’ll just tell her you said hello.” He pauses. “Good enough?”

“Okay, calm down, man. Yeah, tell Mia I said hello, and that I can’t wait to see her,” I add with a wink.

John reaches across the bar, giving me a cuff upside the head. “Go see to your own girl, before I make you blind,” he jokes. “I’ll lock up after myself,” he says reaching out to shake my hand.

“Sounds good. I can’t wait to get outta here. Who would have thought I’d ever say that, eh?”

“It won’t last, boss. Pub Fiction’s your home, your girl. Things will be better tomorrow. ’Night,” he calls back as he walks out.

I laugh at his assessment. “Naw, man. My girl’s sitting in my office,” I mutter, and wipe off the bar after tossing the empties.

Braunwyn

D
ropping my cell
phone back into my purse, I’m feeling much better after having talked to Grams. And when I came out of Levi’s office, someone had mopped up the mess in the staffroom and it smelled nice and clean again, like bleach and lemons. Yeah, I’m probably going to have to go to court as a witness unless Chase pleads guilty to assaulting me, but that’s way off in the future, and for tonight, except for the trail of bruises which are blooming on my arms, everything’s starting to feel a bit more like normal.

I’m just about to call out for Levi as I reach the main floor, but instead stop dead in my tracks. My purse falls to my feet and almost trips me, my eyes too focused on the sight in front of me: the pure gorgeousness that is Levi, standing behind the bar while an underlying tension radiates around him. He looks pensive, but sexy as hell.
Holy friggin’ cow!

His contemplative mood highlights his rugged good looks. With the tightness in his jaw and his fluid movements, he moves like sex personified behind that bar.

The pub is now completely empty and a wave of excitement rides over my body, leaving my skin covered in goosebumps as I see Levi pacing back there in all his tattooed glory, shirt sleeves rolled up, showcasing all that stunning ink.

God, I want him something fierce. I need him to show me that he’s okay, need him to know that I am too.

As if he senses me watching, Levi suddenly pounds the bar with his hand, slamming down an empty shot glass of what I assume was tequila. I spot a bottle, salt shaker, and pile of lemons to his right. I know he’s still pissed but he looks so fucking hot right now.
Yup. Fucking scorching.
The actual swear word pops into my mind because seeing Levi has definitely flipped my mind to adult time, so yeah, right now those are the only adjectives I can think of to describe the way he looks. And “
Holy fuck”
. Holy fuck, this man is hot. Holy fuck, this man is mine. His unrelenting need to protect me earlier comes back to my mind, making me clench as I wait for him to speak.
God, he was hot. Scary, but hot.

Seeing me now, a grinning Levi drags a lazy gaze along each part of my body as I stand rooted in place. His eyes hesitate, lingering at my mouth before settling on my chest, his eyes twitch as if he can see my nipples hardening under his scrutiny, wanting to come out and play. I reach for the top few buttons of my shirt, popping the first few open, hoping he receives the message I’m sending.

“One tequila,” he shouts, and nods to me with a bartenderly wink, before picking up a second shot. He raises the small glass in my direction, drinks it, his Adams’ apple bobbing as he swallows the liquid down his glorious throat, and I watch, completely mesmerized.
Jesus, he looks majestic
. The dim bar lights illuminate the five o’clock shadow that graces his beautiful face. I let out a little moan as he continues: “Two tequila!” and slams the empty shot glass down on the bar once again.