Page 27 of Bee

My eyes dart to the door when I hear a gasp. I only have to look for a second to know it's basically the worst possible scenario.

Instead of it being a regular customer that may or may not come back after this display, in walks Bee.

I wanted to see her so bad today but I don't want her here now. Not when there's a chance that she might get hurt. I say asilent prayer that she'll have a normal reaction and turn around to run out of here but when she takes another step forward I know I'm not going to have any luck in that department either.

"No." I growl in her direction, though I'm not taking my eyes off Evan again. I know he's armed, and all it'll take is for him to catch me not paying attention one time before he'll have the upper hand.

"No, my ass. I don't know what's going on in here, but I'm not going to leave you here on your own." Bee snaps back at me, her eyes focused on Evan's position.

"Don't get this little bar bitch killed." Evan raises his eyebrow and starts to turn her head in Bee's direction, but I'm not going to allow that. I'm not going to allow anyone to disrespect her.

Using my free hand, I lunge forward and grab hold of his neck, yanking him down, so his face is pressed against the bar top. I move so fast, he barely has enough time to pull his weapon out of his pocket. Fortunately, Bee moves faster.

She's already right behind him while I keep him subdued on the bar top. She grabs the small 22 he has in his pocket and takes it from him. Now at least I don't have to worry about bullets flying around. Still, I need to make sure that Sonny knows under no circumstance will I be just another one of his whipping boys. I'm just not made like that.

"I'm going to tell you this one last time Evan. I don't owe Sonny anything and I'm not going to go along with his plan. The next time you or anyone else from that little group comes into my place there will be no talking. Bullets will fly and we'll see who comes out on top." I snarl at the man and press down hard on his head before I grab his collar and shove him backward.

He stumbles and shakes his head looking between me and Bee.

"That's the worst decision you've ever made." He sighs before he turns around and walks out the door. He doesn't even botherto take the gun back from Bee. I guess he's got more where he came from.

I hear his words as he leaves my place but all I can do is focus on the fact that Bee is safe. At least for now.

Shutting my eyes tight for a second I drop my weapon back behind the bar and make sure it's safely stowed away.

When I look up again, Bee is still standing there. The 22 is on the bar top and her arms are crossed over her ample chest.

"What?" I ask.

"What the hell do you mean what? Are you just going to gloss over the fact that you just had some man at gun point or maybe, you think, that deserve a few moments of conversation." She bites out sarcastically.

I shake my head and try to walk away from her. Of course I should've known that she wasn't going to go for that. In a flash she jumps over the bar top and stands in front of me.

"Bee, this doesn't have anything to do with you."

"I never said it did but I know it has something to do with you. I'm invested now. We about to be Jack and Rose from Titanic. You jump, I jump." She parrots the iconic line and I groan. When I told her that I would do anything to help her I never once thought that she'd take the same approach to me.

"No, this isn't for you." I push by her, my shoulder barely bumping hers.

"Why? Is it because I'm not part of the dick committee?" She hisses at me and I turn my head in her direction.

"Don't be silly, this has nothing to do with the fact that you're a woman." I'm not sexist in the least. There's plenty of things I'm sure she's better at than I am but the thought of her risking her safety for me isn't something I'm going to be able to live with.

"Than what is it? It's clear you're into some shit that is going to get you hurt. Why won't you let me help you."

"Because you have to be safe." I snap back at her. I don't think she understands how vital her safety is to me.

Her mouth drops open for a second before she snaps it closed again and huffs a breath through her nose.

"So do you, Rye. I'm not going to let anyone my favorite bear." She smirks at me and I'm disarmed. I know I should fight harder but right now I'm just glad we're in no immediate danger.

With a sigh I lean forward on the bar top and just stare at her for a second before I squint my eyes, "Wait a minute, what are you doing here anyway." I've been around people who've just stopped drinking the last place that the need to be is in a bar.

She blinks a few times and looks around like she's forgotten where she is, "Oh, funny enough, I didn't come here for a drink I came here because I was bored and lonely. Missed ya." She tacks on to the end before giving me a smile.

It makes me feel good even if she's only playing around.

"Besides your the only person I know who can be my chaperone, keep me from drinking and still let me have a good time. So what do you say, can I hang around with you for a while? Maybe help out?"

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