Page 17 of Wine & Whiskey
“This isn’t the time or the place. If you want something, call my secretary and make an appointment.”
“You have a debt to pay for what you did to my brother.” Her stomach churns at the tension boiling between them. Juan’s eyes flash with anger, his voice hissing. “I have offered to work with you. If you refuse, you leave me no choice. I have to get your attention one way or the other.”
She flinches as Juan reaches out as if to touch her hair. Nick grabs his arm and slams him against the condiment table. A silver pitcher topples over, with drops of milk forming a small puddle. Packets of sweetener spill out like a rainbow waterfall over the edge, with two yellow ones left hanging precariously. Max points a gun at Juan’s head before the other bodyguard gets his jacket open. “Fall back, or you’ll regret it.”
Everything is silent except for the beep of the oven timer, warning the now-scared boy his muffins are done.
Nick leans forward, a few inches from Juan’s face. “You’ve got my attention in a way you don’t want. Now, I suggest you get the fuck out of here before things go real bad for you.”
As he loosens his grip, Juan jerks away. His gaze moves to Shae as he smooths down his clothes. “This isn’t over.” He storms out of the coffee house with his bodyguard behind him.
She lets out the breath she’s been holding. Nick crouches down, his face even with hers, his eyes burning with worry as he cups her face. “Are you okay?”
No, but she nods anyway, her chest throbbing from her racing heart.
Max turns to the stunned kids. “Everything’s fine. Just a misunderstanding.” None of them respond, shock paralyzing their bodies and their voices. He places the pitcher upright and bends down to scoop up the packets, dropping them in the trash. “No harm done.” He slowly pulls out his wallet and removes several one hundred dollar bills, putting them in the tip jar.
Unaware she’s shaking until Nick takes her hand, she grips his arm as he leads her outside.
“Ready?”
Nick puts the Jeep in gear after Max hops in the back and pulls out of the parking lot without waiting for her to answer.
