Page 32 of Enemy Kisses

“Sure. The band we had booked for tonight canceled yesterday because their lead singer has tonsillitis.”

“That works. See you at eight.”

“See you then.”

I hang up the phone and turn to Macy, who’s waiting with raised brows. “Toby Summer’s coming down to play tonight.”

Her cheeks flush pink, and she plays with her hair. “I’d better increase my cocktail prep. We’re about to be overrun by a bunch of horny women.”

I laugh. “I guess once word gets out, but he doesn’t want us to let anyone know he’s coming down.” We get busy prepping for cocktails because Macy’s right. Even though Toby wants it to be spontaneous, it won’t take long for word to spread on social media, and we’ll end up with hordes of women. Even when he drops into the pub for a drink with his friend and bodyguard, Shane, the number of women in the pub doubles rapidly. It’s going to be more out of control if he’s playing.

I call Nix to see if he’s able to provide additional security for tonight. Thankfully, he’s able to help with a few of his guys at short notice. Blaze agrees to stay on for the night shift to help with the anticipated crowd.

* * *

As expected, the pub is packed, and even though Toby brought his wife with him it hasn’t reduced the number of women pouring into the pub.

“Finn, can you grab more Vodka from upstairs?” Macy shouts in my ear over the noise.

I nod and head upstairs to the storeroom. As I wander down the back hallway, I spot Blaze towering over a woman. His posture is menacing, and I don’t like it.

Not on my premises. Not on my time. Not ever.

He’s already had one warning about this type of behavior. Whoever’s trapped against the wall must give him a shove, because his body moves an inch, revealing warm brown curls. Curls I’ve had sliding between my fingers.

I take off from my spot and use my momentum to knock Blaze out of the way. He stumbles slightly, so I take advantage of him being off balance and aim my fist at his jaw. My knuckles connect with what feels like stone.Fuck! That hurt.“Get the fuck off my premises and don’t come back. You’re fired,” I shout. I can’t remember the last time I felt so damn pissed.

He grips his jaw and narrows his eyes at me. “What the fuck, man?”

I move between him and Harry, protecting her with my body. “You heard me. Get your shit out of the office and get out.”

“You can’t fucking fire me. You need me.”

“I can and I don’t.” My voice is full of steel. “You’re nothing but trouble. You’ve already had a warning about this shit.”

He studies me for a moment and then his eyes flick to Harry, whose hands are now gripping each side of my shirt. “Fuck you.” He spins on his heel and sends me the bird over his shoulder. “This pub is a shit place to work anyway.”

Once he’s out of sight, I take a calming breath and run my hand through my hair. Fuck. That was intense. Once I feel more in control, I turn to face Harry. Tracing my gaze over her from head to toe, her puffy eyes and red nose tell me she’s been crying. “Are you okay?”

“I-I just came in for a drink because I didn’t want to go home after finding out my friend d-di-died. I didn’t want to be a-alone,” she sobs. Her tears come in full force.Did she say her friend died? Oh shit.

I wrap my arm around her and pull her in tight to my body, then cup the back of her head and press her in close to lay a kiss on top of her head. Her arms tangle around me and she buries her face in my chest as she cries for her loss. I would guess that the shock of what just happened wouldn’t be helping. We stand, locked together in the busy hallway close to the bathrooms.

Blaze storms out of my office carrying a box, shooting me the filthiest look known to man. I’m not sure how I’m still standing in one piece. Once he clears the hallway, I gently walk backward—without releasing Harry—into my office and close the door. The silence inside is a stark contrast to the noisy pub and now that I’m alone with Harry in here, I’m not sure what to do. Whenever I’m with her, I want to do filthy things to her, but those thoughts are the furthest from my mind right now. I want to comfort her and take away her pain. I want to draw it out of her and eliminate her sadness. I want to see sparks flying from her eyes, not tears falling from them. My heart constricts as I guide her to my couch and take a seat, situating Harry across my lap. She still has her face buried in my chest, but her sobs have subsided. We sit in the quiet as I rub her back with gentle strokes and allow her the time she needs.

My office door bursts open. Cal stands in the opening, and the noise of the pub breaks the silence like a gunshot. Harry jumps at the sudden intrusion but buries herself further into me, which encourages me to tighten my hold on her. “Wha—” His words die on his tongue as his eyes land on Harry in my lap.

It’s then I remember what I was supposed to be doing before I found Blaze standing over Harry. “Cal. Can you take more Vodka down to Macy, please?”

“Sure. We need to talk when you’re free.” He closes the door and my office falls silent again.

Harry pulls back from my hold, and I loosen my grip. “I sh-should go. You’re busy and you don’t need me taking up your time.”

She pushes to stand but I tighten my hold again. “You’re not going anywhere. You’ll stay here for as long as you need.”

“But—” I press my finger over her lips to stop her.

“No buts.”

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