Page 52 of The Originals

“Get me my fucking…”

Regina reached across the bar, grabbed his tie, and yanked it hard enough for Rick to jolt forward, face first into the bar. She wound the silk around her fist, giving no leeway even against his struggle. Gil had the smarts to not interfere. He jumped from his stool and backed up a few feet.

“I’m not getting you anything.” She tightened her fist. “You’re a sorry excuse for a real man.”

“Gee!” Ernie’s warning was followed by his footsteps pounding from behind her. Regina didn’t heed the warning or let up on her hold.

“You crazy ass bitch!” Rick shouted.

Regina laughed. “Yes, I am.”

Ernie wrapped his arms around her, forcing Regina to release the man, and lifted her up. She was mildly aware of Rick’s ranting as Ernie marched her to the other end of the bar.

“I could sue you!”

“Shit,” Ernie muttered.

Regina smiled when the bar erupted in laughter. This man was in the wrong place if he thought his idle threats would hold any merit at Starr’s. Ernie may have been concerned, but no one else was, especially Regina. She turned back around trying to get past Ernie, but he was like a wall. Regina settled for shouting across the bar.

“Yeah, but then you’d have to stand in court and make it publicly known you had your ass handed to you by a woman.” That piece of information would never be repeated, Regina was sure of it.

His lips twisted as he yanked on the edge of his jacket then drove his hand through his greased-styled hair. He may have no rebuttal, but her message was loud and clear. Unfortunately for him, Regina wasn’t done.

“Isn’t it bad enough that the whole bar will be mocking and laughing at you for the next few months?”

Ernie forcibly turned her around toward the back hallway. “Cut the shit, Gee.”

Regina smirked and glanced over her shoulder, zoning in on the men. Gil grabbed Rick’s arm, leading him toward the door. His heated glare only amused her more, and she gave a theatrical wave as they left the bar. The chatter continued with a few patrons cheering and raising their glasses. Regina was never one for fanfare, but she appreciated the support.

These are my people.

Ernie pointed over her shoulder. “In my office. Now!”

Regina headed down the hall. This wasn’t the first time she’d had to sit through a scolding in regards to her attitude or sharp tongue. Though it had been a while. Much like the customers who were her kind of people, so was Ernie. When she walked into the office, and he slammed the door, she turned around and folded her arms. His scowl deepened, and for a second she thought she’d get reprimanded. Then Ernie’s lips curled into a smile, and he shook his head.

“I don’t know who’s worse. You or Grain.”

That was up for debate. Regina and her old man were evenly matched, but had Grain been in the bar when that all went down? That man wouldn’t have walked out. At least not with all his teeth. If anything, she’d gone easy on Rick. Though, she suspected he might think twice about how he spoke to waitstaff, especially women, in the future.

“What’s my punishment?” Her lips twitched, and Ernie rolled his eyes.

“A warning. This time. But for Christ’s sake, Gee, keep your hands off the customers.”

She gave a slow nod and backed out of his office. Since she’d started working at Starr’s almost two years ago, she’d been issued over fifty warnings. She still hadn’t received any type of punishment. She wasn’t sure if Ernie secretly enjoyed herattitude or appreciated that she was the most reliable employee he had on payroll.

Regina walked back to the bar, grabbed a rag, and started wiping down the counter. She glanced up at the clock. Her workday was only half over with the busiest rush expected to start in an hour.

The days were long, but the money was decent. Starr’s had a large turnaround with waitstaff, which made her more valuable to Ernie, and he’d compensated her for it. Being able to rely on Regina meant Ernie could take more time off from the bar. He didn’t do it often, but when he did, he always left her in charge.

One of the locals was standing at the bar near the register.

“Cashing out, Joe?”

“Yeah.” He pulled out his wallet. “If you can believe it, my wife misses seeing my ugly mug. Wanted me home early tonight.”

Regina battened down her smile. It was not part of her uniform. “Well, I don’t believe it.”

Joe chuckled, shaking his head as he handed her a ten-dollar bill. Most people knew what to expect from Regina. She was brash, abrasive, and cocky.