Page 68 of The Originals
Chapter Eighteen
This night sucks.
It had been unusually slow, which meant time dragged, and the tips were measly. After dropping the money for the cabin, she needed good tips to replenish her account. Just another reason to be pissed at Grain.Asshole.
Regina yanked the back door closed, then wiggled the handle. Ernie needed to invest in a more secure lock. However, knowing he had the MC as his own personal security, her boss wouldn’t be investing in a new door anytime soon.You’re welcome, Ernie.
Starr’s didn’t have any paid-for protection in place with Ghosttown Riders. A lot of businesses had to pay top dollar for that service. Starr’s just happened to get protection by default because of Regina.
She was looking down, digging through her pocketbook for her keys.There it is. She looped her finger through the key ring and was pulling them out when she heard him.
“Remember me?”
Regina stilled, staring at the door. The male voice gave no indication to his identity. It wasn’t at all familiar but had a taunting tone. If Regina had to make a list of all the men she’d pissed off in her lifetime, it would probably fill a sheet of paper.Both sides. Regina drew in a breath, slowly lowered her arm to her side, and slipped the key between her fingers, forming a makeshift shank, and fisted her hand. It was her only available weapon.
Regina glanced over her shoulder before turning. A sense of relief washed over her as her irritation started to rise.Oh, Jesus, not this asshole.She’d almost forgotten about him. Rick, the guy she’d kicked out of the bar a few weeks ago, was the last person she’d spend her time thinking about. Why the hell was he even here?
“What the fuck do you want?”
His gaze hardened. “An apology.”
Regina squinted and stepped closer.Did I hear him right?
“Say it again.”
His brows dipped in a tight scowl. “A fucking apology.”
It probably wasn’t the best timing, but Regina couldn’t help herself. She burst out laughing and shook her head.
“You ain’t gonna be laughing in a few minutes, bitch. Consider that your fucking warning.” He took two steps closer. “Now, you either say you’re sorry, or you ain’t gonna be saying anything through that fucking smart mouth of yours.”
There were a lot of things Regina could let go of. A threat wasn’t one of them. Neither was a confrontation. Combativeness was second nature to her, and she rarely backed down, especially from a weak, waste of a man.
“You want an apology?” Regina smirked.
He spread out his arms, glancing around the empty parking lot. “That’s why I’m fucking here.”
She slowly nodded as the corner of her mouth curled in a faint smile.
“Okay, I’ll give you one.” Regina straightened her shoulders and moved forward. She had enough self-preservation and smarts to keep an ample gap between them. While this guy didn’t come off as a huge threat with his wounded ego, she wouldn’t discount that they were alone, and he outweighed her by about fifty pounds.
“I’m sorry your precious and tender ego was hurt because you decided that you were a big man who was trying to show off in front of your pal. I’m sorry that you couldn’t foresee how that was going to play out and you wound up looking like a cowardly ass. I’m sorry you walked into my bar and thought you could disrespect me and call the shots, only to find out the only bitch in the bar that day was you. And” —Regina snickered— “I’m sorry you wasted your time showing up here for an apology I’ll never fucking give you.”
Regina sighed, watching the wheels turn in his head. Clearly, he was unprepared for any pushback. If she had to guess, this bullying tactic had worked on women in the past. That thought pissed her off. He had an ass-whooping coming to him, but she wasn’t up for the hassle. If someone in the surrounding neighborhood called the police, there’d be paperwork. Possibly, bail money.I’m too tired for that bullshit tonight.
“Consider this your lucky day. I’m going to give you some advice laced in a warning.” She waved her hand in his direction. “Turn around, get in your car, and drive away. Go back to your shithole life, your miserable fucking existence, and just be happy you dodged a fucking bullet.” Regina raised her brows. “You’re welcome.”
His face turned a bright shade of red, and she tightened her fist, prepared to make use of the key if he lunged forward. Physically fighting was nothing new for Regina. Since childhood, she’d been in dozens of brawls. Her opponent was usually the same sex and it was more of a fair fight. But she wouldn’t back down. Growing up in a volatile household and trained by a few brothers, Regina could handle her own.
There was a long stretch of silence. He was contemplating his next move and if he was willing to move forward with his threats. That decision was made for him when the rumbling engine sounded, and the motorcycle pulled into the lot.
My man, for all his flaws, has impeccable timing.
Regina didn’t bother watching Grain pull into a spot and park. She was more intrigued by Rick’s reaction. He was proving once again he wasn’t a very intelligent man. The smart move would’ve been to quickly retreat to his car the second he laid eyes on Grain. There was a chance her man would’ve followed him, but at least it gave Rick a fighting chance.Idiot.
“What the fuck is going on?” Grain snapped, his heavy boots crunching against the asphalt.
Regina smiled, keeping her gaze locked on the man. When Rick whipped his head in her direction, she merely shrugged.I warned you.