Page 3 of A Fighting Chance
“Since when do you order me around?” I challenge.
“Since I was about six and broke your nose,” she sasses. “Want me to do it again?’
Lucian bursts out laughing along with some customers. Mercedes and I stare at each other for long moments before I shake my head. I want to say something in return, but a fight breaks out right at that moment and I have to jump the bar to separate two drunk assholes before they tear the place apart.
***
Mercedes
Goddamn.
That man is seriously fine. I can feel myself getting all heated up just watching him manhandle the two men that were fighting. I never thought that violence would turn me on but for the second time tonight, seeing Alistair using his body to dominate another man has me hot under the collar.
“Can I get a beer?”
Dragging my attention away from Alistair I face my latest customer. The voice suits the man. Big, bulky, probably around thirty. But also, another fine-looking man. What the hell is in the water up here? I don’t remember there being so many gorgeous men in Severn. Now I see one every time I turn around.
“I haven’t seen you here before,” the man smiles, showing his dimples when I hand him his drink.
“I’ve been gone for a couple of years,” I extend my hand toward him. “I’m Mercedes.”
He takes my hand but doesn’t shake it, instead, he places a kiss on my knuckles, and I giggle like a damn schoolgirl.
“Kristoff.”
“Nice to meet you,” I nod toward another customer down the bar. “But we are slammed as you can see.”
“Do your thing pretty lady,” Kristoff drawls before taking a sip of his beer. “I’ll be right here when you’re done.”
The rest of the night is a blur of booze and laughter. I forgot how much fun it can be working behind the bar at Lucille’s. At some point, Xander emerges from his office with Laura Blake tucked under his arm.
“Finally!” I call out causing Laura to blush.
“We weren’t gone that long,” she mumbles.
“That’s not what I meant. I’m just happy to see you two finally together. You’ve been mooning over each other for years.”
Xander smiles at me fondly and a pang of longing hits my chest. He has always been a big brother figure to me. Growing up as an only child can be hard but I always had the Chance brothers, so I was never truly alone. I mean, Xander taught me how to ride a bike when we were kids.
“Are you staying or just passing through?” he asks.
“Not sure yet,” I call over my shoulder as I hand a couple of tipsy ladies another round of cocktails. “But I’m here now.”
“I need a bar lady. Think about it.”
Just as suddenly as they appeared they are gone again. Do I want to stay in Severn? It’s something worth thinking about.
“What time do you get off?” Kristoff asks.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him whenever he has the time, but my attention is diverted by Alistair.
“Kristoff,” he says lowly as he leans against the bar. “I thought I made it perfectly clear you aren’t welcome in here.”
“And I told you to eat shit and die.” Kristoff doesn’t even glance in Alistair’s direction, keeping his attention focused solely on me.
“Finish your beer and get the fuck out.”
“I’m having a conversation here,” Kristoff gestures to me.