Page 21 of Kings of Decay
In a flash of black clothing and cold wind, I was knocked back against the wall. I expected to see the disgusting miners, but instead, I saw them frantically looking around. I followed their gaze, and there they were.
Ainsley. Pearce.
"Touch her again, and I'll be sure to ruin you," Ainsley hissed. He shoved me into his brother and punched the offending man in the face. The rest of them slammed cash down on the table and ran out with their tails between their legs.
I pulled my shirt down. "Thanks," I murmured. I realized I was pressed against the older of the brothers, breathing in his cologne. He smelled like oranges and cloves. His chest was hard and muscular, tense beneath his jacket.
My face went hot, and I pulled away.
"You need to watch yourself," Pearce said, his voice low.
The bar was completely silent. Everyone was pretending not to watch us.Poorly.
"I'll remember that," I tried to move away, but his hand was around my wrist. "Listen, I'm on the clock. Thanks for scaring him off, but I need to get back to the bar."
I tugged my wrist from Pearce's grasp, but he didn't let go. Instead, he held it tighter, his grip warm and firm.
"You don't have to be afraid of them," Ainsley said, his blue eyes piercing into me.
"I'm not afraid," I lied.
"Good," Pearce replied, his fingers tracing a path up my wrist to the sensitive skin of my inner arm.
"I'm not afraid of you, either," I added sharply.
Pearce's gaze narrowed.
Ainsley put his arm between us and gently took my hand. "Of course not, little mouse," he patronized me.
"Hmph," I pulled free and turned. "Well, thanks anyway."
"Wait, wait, wait," Ainsley said, grabbing my shoulder. He pulled my back against his chest, and Pearce took his place in front of me, sandwiching me between them.
My breath caught, trapped between two incredibly handsome, tall, and undeniably psycho men.
"Are you working tomorrow?" Pearce asked.
I nodded.
"Do you know what day it is tomorrow?" He asked.
I shook my head.
"It's Devil's Night. Time for the bad boys to come out and play." He moved closer, his lips nearly touching mine. "And the town Halloween bash. Don't tell me you haven't seen the flyers."
I honestly hadn't paid attention to anything posted on the community bulletin boards. The missing dog signs just depressed me even more.
"Halloween bash?"
"Yeah, it's tradition to start at midnight," Ainsley said, brushing his hair back from his face and squeezing my shoulders.
The feeling of his breath on my neck gave me shivers. But not fear, no. Was I getting... turned on?
My heart pounded. They were both so close. Too close.
"We'll be at the bar," Ainsley whispered, his teeth grazing against my ear. "So wear something special for us."
My eyes fluttered closed as their aura consumed me.
