Page 33 of Roar & Lizzy: A Forever Kind of Love

"I'm okay." Her body trembled. "I think."

His body hardened under hers. She panted, trying to hold in the sob that grew in her chest as panic hit her and she realized she'd been punched in the face.

Peer rushed into the room. "Is she okay?"

"No, thanks to your woman." Roar's hand made small circles on Lizzy's lower back. "I want Kelli out of here. She's not allowed back in The Fire Ring. If I ever see her around Lizzy, I'll be the one dealing with her."

"I'll take care of her, Prez." Peer leaned over, inspected Lizzy's face, and shook his head. "Damn."

"I'm okay." Lizzy inhaled a shaky breath.

Peer left the room. Coco entered. Lizzy took the comforting hug from her friend and laid her head on Coco's shoulder.

"I'm going to kick her ass," whispered Coco.

"No. I don't like fighting." Lizzy pulled back, remaining on Roar's lap. "I'll be fine."

At least she'd be okay once she could see out of both her eyes. Right now, it felt a lot like someone had broken her face.

"I'm going to take her home. You're in charge of Monica and Heather. Do me a favor and have Peer call Brage and have him come over to watch over things until closing?"

"Sure." Coco remained squatted beside Lizzy. "Don't leave her alone. Maybe she needs to go to the emergency room. She could have a concussion."

She grabbed Roar's arm. "No. No hospital."

"God, you're stubborn." Coco stood and kissed the top of her head. "Make her put some ice on her eye."

"Coco, have Brage walk you home after closing," said Roar.

Lizzy closed both of her eyes and sagged against Roar's chest. "I don't know why I'm the one in charge at work when you two can fling orders faster than me."

"Now is not the time to be funny." Coco rubbed Lizzy's shoulder. "Let Roar take you home."

She nodded, adding to the pounding in her head. "Coco?"

Her friend leaned down. "What?"

"Watch out for Kelli. That girl doesn't like us," she whispered, hoping Roar couldn't hear her and frankly, not caring if he had.

Five minutes later, Roar fumbled with the key in the lock and took her inside the house. Being home helped her get a grasp of the situation. The embarrassment of being punched in front of a full crowd at the bar would sink in later when she wasn't in pain.

"You can put me down." She unwrapped her arms around his broad shoulders. "I can walk."

He put her on the couch. "Where's your kitchen?"

She pointed over her shoulder. "Down the hall, turn right. It's at the back of the house."

"Don't move." He walked out of the room.

She leaned over and cradled her head against the arm of the couch and closed her uninjured eye. Kelli was insane.

Just because Peer was letting her pour drinks hadn't meant anything. They were coworkers. Talking and getting along was required.

Kelli's jealousy over the last three months had only worsened. When she wasn't hurting, she could probably muster up enough empathy to feel sorry for the woman being so insecure, but right now, she never wanted Kelli around her again.

Roar's boots echoed in the living room. The cushion beside her on the couch depressed under his weight.

"I have ice in a towel. I couldn't find any bags." He slid his arm behind her and moved her whole body toward him. "Put your head on my lap."

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