Page 7 of A Reaper's Secret

The closer he got, the more intense thescent of alcohol filled the air. Amy took a small step back.Clearly, he’d taken her rejection a little harder than sheanticipated.

“Look, I don’t know who you are, and I’mguessing that normallyyou’re a nice guy, but I suggest you turn around and go backinside.”

“You do, don’t you?” he asked. “You thinkyou’re better than me.”

“I don’t think anything.” She unfolded her hands slowly. Growingup, her father had taught her several defensive moves, and she wasnot afraid to use them if the situation required it. She tensed up,ready and waiting, prepared to take him on. Her hands clenched intofists at her sides.

“Then dance with me.”

He reached for her, and Amy pulled away. Shedidn’t want him to touch her. “I think you need to go backinside.”

There was no one around, and Amy wasprepared to do what was necessary to defend herself.

****

Daniel didn’t like that Amy didn’tget the chance to dance.She loved moving to whatever beat was playing, even if it was alive band. The band he had for this week had to cancel, as theirlead guitarist was sick. The band was an all-or-nothing kind ofgroup. Daniel respected that, and already arranged for them to playnext week.

He also didn’t like the look of the touristthat followed her out. He’d always had a knack for spottingtrouble, and right now he could scent it. The air was dripping withit, and he needed to see what the problem was.

One look at August, and the guy knew to keep the bar helddown tight. He knew he could trust August, a member of The Reapers.Leaving the bar, he stepped outside and instantly saw the manadvancing toward Amy. The man reached for her, but Amy already sawit coming and quickly moved out of his way.

“I think you need to go back inside,” Amysaid.

“No, what I think is you need to get thatstick out of your ass and dance with me. Do you think you’re toogood for me? Is your pussy too pure?” the tourist asked.

During their interaction, he saw Amy hadbeen so distracted by the threat in front of her that she didn’t see him gettingcloser. When the tourist went to lunge for her a second time,Daniel was already there, grabbing the man by the back of the neckand hauling him back. There was a sudden scream, but Daniel wassurprised to learn this came from the man himself.

Amy just stood, a little taken aback.

“Are you okay, Amy?” Daniel asked.

“Yeah, I’m okay,” she said.

“Now, I don’t know where you come from, andhonestly, I don’t give ashit. We tell the lady that doesn’t want to dance with us goodnight, and we leave her the fuck alone.”

“Look, man, this is none of your concern.The lady wants to dance with me.”

“No, I don’t,” Amy said.

Daniel looked toward Amy and smiled. “You goahead. I’ve got this covered.”

He watched her as she took a deep breath,and then nodded at him before disappearing. Daniel waited until they were out of sight, andthen he turned to the man. “You’ve got two choices. I call you acab, you leave, go straight to your hotel, escorted by one of mymen, or, you and I get acquainted and it will end with you pissingyourself. Trust me, you don’t want that.” He was feeling mercifultonight, and of course, there were a lot of witnesses. “Tell me,tough guy, what’s it going to be?”

Part of him wanted the bastard to bedifficult. At the end of the day, the fucker had taken away one ofhis few pleasures, which was seeing Amy dance her little ass off.Even if she was clad inthick denim jeans, he still loved to see her move. It was afavorite hobby of his.

He tightened his grip around the man’s neck.“All right, all right. I’ll go. I’ll fucking go.”

“Good choice.” He snapped his fingers,and Nixon, one of hismen, came toward him. “Make sure this son of a bitch makes it tohis hotel, and that he doesn’t leave it.”

“Got it,” Nixon said.

Daniel let the man go, and he waited asNixon escorted him to his car, and he didn’t have to linger. Makinghis way inside, he went straight to the bar and resumed serving.

August approached him, giving a whistle. “Ihave to admit, I thought you were going to come back sporting awhole decoration of blood and guts.”

“The bastard knew he’d messed with the wrongman,” he said.

“I don’t know. Sometimes, I think thesetourists are getting worse every year.” August shook his head. “Dothey really think our women are not satisfied?”

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