Page 20 of Heathens

“Who wants to know?”

My stranger leans in.

“I do, and I want you to leave this pretty gal alone so she can do her job.”

“Thisisher job, asshole,“ Drake spits.

I practically feel the grip on his shoulder as it tightens, until the unmistakable sound of bone crunching cuts through the cacophony of noise. Drake’s body crumples, and he hisses as his eyes flash amber. I slide his regular order toward him. The last thing I need to deal with is a goddamn bar fight.

“It’s on the house. Keep your fuckin’ nose clean.”

He lets out a dismissive snort.

“I was just–”

“Leaving,” the new arrival croons, extending his words in a sing-song tone. “Goodbye, Drake.”

“This is my seat, asshole!”

Drake tries to remove the man’s hand, but within half a second, his arm is being twisted so hard that his whole body goes limp. He lets out a scream, collapsing forward onto the bar as his face contorts in pain.

I gag at the horrible crunching sounds, it’s like someone twisting a plastic bottle in their hands. His fractured bone pierces the sleeve of his suit, already soaked in blood.

“And now it’s my seat. Leave the lady alone and keep it moving,Drake.”

The newcomer shoves him off of his bar stool, taking his place as Drake’s limp body topples to the ground. I’d say vampires are dramatic, but I’d be wailing too if someone snapped my bone like a fucking tree branch.

He turns to me, smiling the whole time as Drake gets to his feet and stumbles into the crowd. Anger swirls in my gut. This is my bar, and I can handle these things. I don’t need this…goonstepping in for me.

Even if he’s drop dead gorgeous.

“We have security for that,” I grind out through clenched teeth.

“Don’t seem to be doing their jobs,” he replies, a sly smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.

“I could have handled him.”

“I’m sure you could.” His icy eyes shimmering, flashing yellow for a brief second. It happens when they want to feed, or they’re angry, or if they’re just horny. It scared me at first, but you get used to it. “You look like a tough guy. It’s nice to see you up close.”

I shake my head, cleaning the blood up that Drake left on the counter. This guy is flirting with me, or trying to.

“You followed me here?”

“Just a happy coincidence,” he replies.

He taps his claws against the bar, and I pull out my standard smile.

“What can I get you?”

“A shot of whiskey, and another of O negative.”

“Any preference for whiskey?”

“Johnny Walker Blue,” he rumbles. There’s a hint of an Irish accent that makes my stomach flutter.

I hate myself for showing any kind of weakness. I know he can see it, it’s written all over his fucking face. Vampires aren’t exactly subtle when they’re looking at prey. But it’s hard to tell if he wants to fuck me or eat me.

As I grab the shot glasses and line them up beneath the tap. I can see him watching me, and I can’t stop myself from stealing a glance at him. He lights a cigarette and wraps his plump lips around it. For a split second, I wonder what they might feel like against my–

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