Page 21 of Break Me
“He’s mafia. Bratva. A very dangerous man who thinks he owns this town.” Before I could catch him, Liam moved from behind the bar, taking long strides toward the powerful Russian. I appreciated all that Liam had done and he was a good uncle to my daughter, but he usually took things too seriously and personally.
He also liked to rile the customers, which he did immediately when he shoved his index finger into Alexsey’s chest.
“Ooohhh!” a few of the customers cheered. Soon they’d be on their feet, shoving aside tables and chairs and chanting for a fight.
I pressed my hands on the bar, certain this would get out of hand soon. “Liam. Stop.”
“We don’t want scum like him inside our world.” From where I stood, I could tell Liam was grinning, but also egging Alexsey on.
I had to give the Russian credit; just like he’d done with the man at the warehouse, he was calm and collected. But oddly, there was an entirely different set of electric vibrations surrounding him like a force field. It was icy cold. Calculated.
Alexsey even smirked, which I knew would be a huge no-no. When he shifted his gaze so he’d locked eyes with mine, I didn’t have the same sense of arrogance that I’d seen. Instead, therewas strength and an unwavering conviction. For me to agree to go out with him?
“Hey, buddy. We don’t want your kind in here.” Liam was obviously confused, turning slightly and questioning me with his eyes.
The fact Alexsey said nothing annoyed Liam to the point I could feel him getting ready to boil over. I had a red-hot Latin temper, but Liam had a much shorter fuse. That ignited the crowd every single time. That’s why when Liam was stupid enough to throw a punch, I expected all hell to break loose.
The opportunity never occurred. Alexsey snapped his hand around Liam’s fist so fast I doubted anyone in the bar, including myself had seen his arm even moving. The second Liam groaned in pain from the pressure Alexsey was using, the others still seated jerked up, chair legs scraping against the beaten tile floor as they prepared to fight for my brother-in-law’s honor.
That’s when I knew I had to intervene. I grabbed the baseball bat from behind the bar. “Hey! Stop!” I screamed as the assholes began to taunt Alexsey.
They weren’t interested in paying attention to me.
Goddamn it. Why couldn’t life be any easier and why was it every time I was around Alexsey, all hell seemed to break loose? Getting into the fray of heated male bodies wouldn’t do me any good. But I wasn’t the kind of woman to back down from confrontation.
As Alexsey was circled with the grumpy brogues longing to beat his ass or worse, I climbed onto the bar, slamming the bat against the edge. The sound was thunderous, but not nearly asloud as my voice. “I told you to stop and you will fucking listen. Now!”
There wasn’t a customer in the place who didn’t know I was a feisty girl, but they’d never seen me this worked up.
Instantly, a hush fell across the room and every red-blooded male turned in my direction. Exasperated, I blew a strand of damp hair from my face while I eased the bat against my shoulder. “That’s better. Now, we’re all civilized here. This is a public place and that man, who happens to be a friend of mine, is a customer who just needs a whiskey. Right?” When Alexsey didn’t immediately answer, I slowly cocked my head.
My God, the man was enjoying the hell out of this and he wasn’t even breaking a sweat.
“Well?” I snarked, my voice even louder than before.
“Yes, I do. One tall whiskey.”
I nodded, expecting the others to back away and sit down. When they didn’t respond like good little boys, I slapped the bat against my hand. “Now!”
Chairs scooted across the floor again and after mental encouragement, Alexsey released his tight hold.
Liam shook his hand, still sneering at the Russian before heading toward me. “Are you fucking kidding me? A friend of yours? That man is dangerous.”
“What’s it to you, Liam? Just stop. I can be friends with anyone I want. Just go. I can handle him.”
He gripped my arm painfully, jerking me closer.
I instantly sensed Alexsey was furious with him, prepared to fight everyone in the room. That shocked me. He didn’t even know me and was certainly no match for the number of men in the bar, but I could tell by the flash of his eyes he didn’t care.
When I threw the sexy Russian a look to keep him from getting himself killed, Liam hissed.
“What are you doing? That man is bad news and you need to stay away from him. I’m telling you.”
“Telling me?” I jerked my arm free, remaining in Liam’s face. “You’re my brother-in-law, Liam, and I am eternally grateful for all you’ve done for me after Sean’s death. However, this is my life to live. I find it curious how much you hate that man when you don’t even know him.”
As soon as I tossed out the words, he bristled. What in the hell was he hiding?
Liam sucked in his breath in disbelief, and I could tell he wanted to say something.
