Page 2 of In the Name of the Father

“Come on, pup. We can show you how it’s done. We’ll give you a lesson you won’t ever forget.”

Malcolm peered over his shoulder. The young man was sitting a couple tables back from him, clutching his beer bottle to his chest as he stared wide-eyed at the muscled hunk who loomed over him. A shorter version of the first asshole stood on the other side of the poor kid, leering and snickering.

Never seen these two shitstains in here before.

Woody’s didn’t tend to attract a rough crowd.

“Uh, no thanks…I’m…I just want to sit here and have my drink. That’s all.”

The young man licked his lips and Malcolm pinched the bridge of his nose.

This kid is completely out of his element.

Malcolm forced himself to look away. It still wasn’t any of his business. Sure, the guy was young, but he didn’t appear helpless or weak. He was an adult, could take care of himself. Malcolm shifted on the stool, uncomfortable and on edge.Maybe not helpless, but definitely clueless. Scared. No confidence. The muscles of Malcolm’s clenched jaw worked under his skin, his teeth hurting from gritting them so hard.

“Yeah, pup. Like my friend said. We’ll break that ass in for you.”

“L-look, I’ll just leave, okay? I’m flattered, but I didn’t come in here for anything like that.”

The sound of a chair scraping along the floor could be heard.

“Perfect. We’ll be glad to escort you out.”

“No! Let me go!”

Malcolm pressed his lips together.Fuck this shit.

He slammed down his glass, whipped his body around then launched himself off the stool. Within two large strides he was right next to the larger goon who had one hand clasped around the struggling young man’s arm. Malcolm grabbed the asshole by the collar of his denim jacket and held him there.

“What the fuck? Get your fucking hands offa me!”

“Don’t care for it too much when it’s done to you, huh?” Malcolm growled out. “He told you to let him go. So, let. Him. The fuck.Go.”

The jerk-off pushed the kid away with a sneer then Malcolm placed his body between the young man and the two assholes. He might not be as muscle-bound as the taller of the two, but he wasn’t lacking in that department and he was still six feet to the other man’s approximate six two.

After staring each other down for several seconds, the taller guy snorted then threw one hand in the air. “Whatever, dude. You want him that bad, I can get me some better ass five times over.”

Larry called out from behind the bar, “As long as you find that ass anywhere but here, you go on with your bad selves. Get the fuck outta my place.”

Malcolm and Larry exchanged glances and Malcolm nodded in silent thanks. Now that Larry was clued in, Malcolm regarded the young man who couldn’t seem to stop fidgeting. He ran his fingers through his short hair a few times while jiggling one leg then crossed his arms as if he could keep himself from coming unraveled.

Something about the man’s wide-eyed, frightened expression—the way his gaze darted around the room and that he couldn’t keep still—gave Malcolm somewhere deep inside a familiar twinge.

“Are you okay?” He didn’t dare touch the kid. He appeared as though he might bolt at any second which would probably place him square in the sights of his tormentors.

The young man blinked several times as if trying to bring himself back to the present, then he regarded Malcolm. “Yes. Uh, thank you. I really appreciate it. I’m sorry if I caused any problems.”

“You’re welcome and you didn’t.” Malcolm found himself sizing up the lost creature standing before him despite his best efforts to remain detached. “They were clearly looking to stir up trouble.”Time to walk away. “Anyway, I’ll let you get back to your drink.”

“That’s all right. I should just leave.”

Dammit.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea…” Malcolm hesitated, but at the last second, couldn’t stop the words from flying from his mouth. “What’s your name?”

“I’m Seth.” He held out his hand for Malcolm to shake.

Rather formal for these circumstances. Seth practically screamed, ‘I’m a social misfit’. Malcolm accepted the gesture.

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