Page 112 of Blood and Bonbons

I ran to the window.

A crowd of men still fought against Shepard, Anchor, Doc, Buzz, Griz, Army, Detroit, and Boulder. A stream of liquid shot out from the bar area underneath us, dousing everyone. It wasn’t stopping the fighting, but whoever had the hose wasn’t letting up. It didn’t matter, though. The Blur crew was methodically taking out the fighters and leaving bodies on the floor.

“It looks like the fight’s dying down,” I said. “Let’s wait to leave until someone comes for us.”

“Exactly what I was thinking,” Vena said from her place against the desk.

Below us, Shepard got hit with more water and said something to whoever was wielding it. The stream immediately vanished.

The last man fell, and Shepard shook his head, sending water everywhere. It felt like I’d turned on an old romance movie when he tugged his shirt off and used it to wipe his face because every inch of that man’s chest was chiseled in muscled perfection.

All thoughts of how he was my boss and absolutely off limits fled as I took in the view. His gloriously mounded pecs created a valley deep enough for the charm or whatever he was wearing around his neck to call home. Below that, golden abs for days greeted his delicious happy trail.

“I think I just got pregnant,” I said softly.

“What? What do you mean?” Vena asked.

Shepard looked up at me then, catching me staring. The sudden, knowing smile on his face had my face heating scarlet. He motioned for me to wait then said something to Buzz.

I hurried away from the wall to fan my face and give Vena an explanation.

“I just saw Shepard without a shirt, and I think he heard me.”

Vena laughed like an insane person, which she apparently was.

“It’s not funny,” I said.

“It’ssofunny.”

Something pushed at the door, moving Vena and the desk a few inches. We both scrambled to brace it.

“It’s me,” Shepard said from the other side. “You’re safe.”

Face still flaming, I stepped away, and we watched Shepard easily muscle the desk back using the door.

“Are you both all right?” he asked as soon as he walked in. I tried not to stare at his chest, but it was difficult.

His gaze swept over Vena then locked on me. “Everly?”

I nodded, and he exhaled like my answer meant everything to him.

“Good. You were smart to come up here,” he said as he moved to the shirt pile and took a dry one for himself. “I told Buzz to gather the rest of the staff and get them up here with you. Keep them busy while we look around. I’m sure someone called the police by now, and you’ll need to answer their questions.”

I was a little sad to see the pec display put away, and he caught my stare.

“I didn’t know you wore a necklace,” I said, hoping to play it off.

“Family keepsake. Stay up here.”

The next hour passed in a partial haze.

After the wait staff joined us, we learned it had been Pam who had wielded the hose. She had a black eye, and Thomas had a sprained wrist from his handy tray skills. Doc had given Sierra his shirt since hers wouldn’t close. He’d been the only one to escape Pam’s spraying.

We all spoke with the police, answering their questions as they hauled away the men, some of whom were already starting to come around. I overheard one of the officers mention that the attackers didn’t know where they were or how they’d gotten there.

Once we’d given our statements, the police said we could go. Vena and I weren’t as fast to hurry down the stairs as the others. Mostly because I had to put my shoes back on.

When we reached the bar area, Shepard told everyone that the bar would be closed the next day.

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