Page 28 of Never Fear (Whiskey Ridge)
She rolled her eyes as if I was the one wasting her time. As if she had better things to do with the two remaining families finishing their dinner behind her. “Because he didn’t want me closing alone.”
While they typically had two waitresses on hand during the more busy times, sometimes schedules conflicted and there’d only be one. The cook was always here but he’d leave right after his dishes were done, not caring to wait for the rest of the staff.
I didn’tonlywatch McKenna. I studied the habits of theothers too.
“You’re not alone. I’m here.”
Another eye roll, but this time, she added a sigh for dramatic effect. “You’re not mycoworker, Austin. You’re my stalker.”
The corner of my mouth ticked up. “My point stands.”
Did Marv seriously think that if any danger were to arise, he’d do jack shit about it? The man would probably use McKenna as a shield if he had to. Cop a feel of her body while he was at it, too. Then we wouldn’t only have the issue of something happening, but also her boss trying to navigate life with one hand.
“Did you tell them about what’s been going on?” I’d told her not to.
She set a hand on her hip, closing her other hand over it like she was tired of standing. “No.”
“Good.” I tapped my phone screen to light it up where it sat on the table. Ten minutes till the diner closed. “Better get cleaning. We’re leaving right after this.”
“We?”
I nodded. “You’re tired.”
Her brows scrunched. “So?”
I leaned my elbows on the table, folding my hands together. “So, we’re going to go home and you’re going to rest.”
She ran a palm over her hair, careful not to mess the strands up more than they already were. “Austin.”
I forced an innocent smile. “Yes, kitten?”
“We don’t live together. You don’t take care of me.” She waved her hands between us quickly. “Weare not doing anything tonight. Just—go home. You get the night off.”
She started to turn but I grabbed her wrist,pulling her back to me. She stumbled a bit. Another sign she was tired. “There are no nights off. Not when it comes to your safety.”
She glanced down at where my hand made contact with her skin. I wondered if the sensation of it was searing itself into her memory like it was to mine right now. She looked like she wanted to argue, but then her shoulders fell, like she didn’t have it in her tonight. “I have to get back to work.”
I dropped her wrist, and as she turned again, I said, “Eight minutes, McKenna.”
She kept on walking, heading behind the bar to walk past where Marv was standing at the register. And right as she did, the sleazy fucker turned and cupped her ass. He tried to be nonchalant, like maybe she’d brushed him, but I saw the purpose behind it.
McKenna’s steps faltered for a second as she looked behind her, thinking she might’ve bumped something. As soon as she realized what had happened, her eyes jumped to mine.
I was already out of my seat and halfway across the diner.
“Austin,” she warned, turning to face me fully with wide eyes as I ate up the space.
“Get their bills. Now.” That was my last straw. McKenna may grant him mercy, but I lacked that trait.
“Austin.” My name was a plea for mercy on her lips. But not for herself—for him. And he didn’t deserve an ounce of that from her.
I didn’t answer her. Didn’t repeat myself as I swung around the edge of the bar in one swift motion, grabbedMarv by the collar of his grease-stained shirt, and shoved him through the doors to the kitchen.
The cook shouted something, but I was too focused on the filthy pervert begging me to let him go to hear. We were through the kitchen and in his office in ten steps. I shoved him, needing to get my fucking hands off him before I wrung his neck out. His death was inevitable, but I wanted to play first.
I didn’t take my eyes off him as I swung the door shut behind me and prowled toward him. He’d barely caught himself on the desk, his back banging into it so hard that the force shoved it back a few inches.
My fist landed a blow on his jaw, snapping his head back and causing him to lose his balance once more. “You like being touched without permission?”
