Page 17 of Marked By the Broken Orc
“You’re admitting that you know nothing about modern orc integration,” I snap, pointing a finger at his chest. “This orc you’re denying service to is a firefighter who risks his life on a daily basis to save people like you, every single day. He’s probably saved more lives in the past month than you ever will in your pathetic existence.”
“Mia,” Kavin says quietly, his hand settling on my shoulder.
But I’m beyond reason now. This punk-ass server is a threat to someone I care about. “You want to talk about how orcs treat women? Let me tell you how this orc treats me, with more respect and courtesy than most human men I’ve ever met. So take your outdated bullshit and?—”
“Mia.” Kavin’s voice is louder and firmer this time, and his grip on my shoulder tightens just enough to get my attention. “Step aside and let me handle this.”
The calm authority in his voice cuts through my blinding rage. I blink up at him, take a deep breath, give a curt nod, close my mouth and step back.
Kavin turns to the server and responds with an amazing amount of dignity and patience that I could never manage in a million years. “I understand that your concerns about orcs come from valid historical fears, but they’re based on outdated information. Modern orcs have been integrated into human society for decades now. We are equal citizens and follow all human laws and customs. We don’t kidnap anyone. In fact that practice ended over a century ago.”
His voice is educational rather than defensive, and I can see that basically the entire coffee shop is now entirely quiet. They’re all leaning in to listen to what Kavin has to say. “As Mia Martin was trying to explain, I’m a firefighter recently hired by the Spokane Fire Department,” he continues with a deep voice. “I plan on living in this community for years, paying taxes, helping my neighbors, contributing to society just like any other citizen. I will treat everyone I meet with respect and I’m simply asking for the same basic respect from you, in return.”
The server’s shoulders slump slightly. Hostility drains from his expression, replaced by uncertainty. “I…I guess I never thought about it that way…I was just trying to stand up for women’s rights. I’d never met an orc in real life before. Maybe you don’t do any of that bad stuff anymore.”
“A lot of humans haven’t realized orcs are different now,” Kavin says gently. “But maybe it’s time to start.”
“Yeah, you’d better start realizing that orcs need to be welcomed, because we’ll boycott this place if you don’t serve all citizens equally,” a woman calls out from behind us. “The first orc firefighter in Spokane shouldn’t be kicked out of this coffee shop. Humans and orcs both deserve to be treated with equal respect.”
“I agree,” adds a man in a business suit. “Orcs are citizens now and should be treated the same as anyone else.”
The server looks around at the growing number of disapproving faces, and then back at Kavin. He swallows hard. “I…I’m sorry. That was wrong of me, to say I wouldn’t serve you. I will of course serve the first orc firefighter in Spokane,” he loudly proclaims for everyone to hear. Then he looks back at Kavin. “What can I get for you, sir?”
“Large black coffee,” Kavin says simply. “Thank you.”
As the server moves to prepare his drink, I catch sight of Fire Chief Jackson who happens to be in a corner booth. He gives me a nod of approval that makes my chest swell with pride.
As we walk back to our table I can feel eyes on us from all over the coffee shop. But instead of the suspicious looks from earlier, these seem curious, even approving.
“Holy shit,” Carmen breathes as we return. “We saw and heard the whole thing, as did everyone else. I’ve never seen you back down from a fight for anyone.”
“That wasn’t backing down,” Riley corrects. “That was Mia letting her man handle business while she stood guard. Very sexy dynamic, you two. I think Kavin is the only person alive who is able to tame this wild beast.”
I bite at my lip and glance over, waiting to see Kavin’s reaction their words.
He settles beside me in the booth, close enough that our thighs touch under the table. “Thank you for defending me,” he says quietly, meant just for my ears.
“Thank you for stopping me before I got us both banned from here,” I chuckle.
Chief Jackson approaches our table. “I’m on my way out but I wanted to say, that was well handled, Irontree. Shows real leadership and character.”
“Thank you, sir.”
The chief turns to me. “And Martin, don’t lose that fire, just remember to channel it constructively.”
“Yes, sir,” I say, feeling heat creep up my neck.
The chief leaves and my friends launch into a barrage of questions and commentary. I steal a glance at Kavin, taking in his strong profile and those jutting tusks, as he answers their questions with patient good humor.
I can’t help but think deep about the way he perfectly handled that situation. He’s not just attractive. He’s not just competent at his job. He’s the kind of man who makes everyone around him better. The kind of man who makesmebetter. The kind of man worth taking a leap of faith for.
“So what’s the deal with you two?” Jessica asks bluntly. “Are you dating or what?”
I feel Kavin tense slightly beside me, and I know we’re both thinking about our text conversation where I asked him to dinner and he turned me down.
“We’re neighbors,” I say carefully. “Friends.” But even as I say it, I know it’s not true. Friends don’t look at each other the way we do. Friends don’t create this kind of heat just by sitting next to each other.
Kavin’s hand finds mine under the table, his large fingers intertwining with mine. The touch is gentle but possessive, and when I look at him, the heat in his dark eyes takes my breath away.
