I yank my wrist away and slap him hard across the face. My hand stings from the blow. This seems to please him more. He must be one of those freaks that gets off on pain. He smiles and licks his lips. "Get the f**k out!" I grab a beer, toss it across the room and it breaks against an empty table. "Now!"
All three guys laugh as the head douche-bag shoves them toward the exit, with a satisfied grin. He turns back to me one last time and waves his tongue at me as if tasting me with it. "I'll see you soon."
How f**king disgusting! I feel filthy at the gesture. I want to rip that tongue off.
Kade rushes over to me as soon as the door closes behind them. He bends down to pick up the broken beer bottle. "What the f**k did they say to you this time?" He barks out.
I look at him with my chest heaving up and down as I try to calm myself down. They definitely knew how to get under my skin. This is the last thing I need to end this crappy day with. Now I really want to scream. What did he even mean by the crap that came out of his dirty mouth? It made no sense. I have to admit, I'm a little freaked out now.
Not wanting to discuss it with someone that clearly hates me, I choose to brush it off for now. "Nothing! Just something perverted. Those guys are creepy douches."
Kade nods. "Yeah, they seemed like it. I'm glad you made them leave." He gives me one last look before heading behind the bar with most of the broken bottle in hand.
I quickly run to grab the broom and dustpan to clean up the rest of the mess. As I stand here sweeping, I feel a hand encircle my waist, and panic sets in before a soft set of lips press against my neck, soothing my worry. My heartbeat quickens from the feel of the ring, brushing over my skin and I almost stop breathing completely. I'm mush in his arms.
"Kellan," I squeal. I spin around to greet his smiling face and my heart melts. He looks so happy to see me. "I thought you were gone."
Cupping my face in his hands, he leans in and smiles against my lips before kissing me. "You look so damn beautiful right now." He reaches for the broom, gently pulling it from my grasp. "Although, I wish you weren't cleaning up glass." He kisses my forehead and gently guides me out of the way. "I'll finish cleaning this up. If you hurt yourself, I'll be pissed."
I take a step back, watching in admiration as he cleans up my mess. As I stand here searching his heavenly face, I feel overwhelmed. Between the surprise visit from him and dealing with those jerks, I can't control my emotions. They're all over the place.
A tear rolls down my cheek, but I quickly wipe it away before Kellan can see. At least, I thought. Guess I don't have ninja quick speed like Zoe does.
Kellan sets the broom aside and places his forehead to mine, gently breathing against my lips. "Tell me what's wrong, Phoenix." He grabs my face, rubbing his thumb under my eye and I feel so wanted by him. My heart swells. "You look shaken up, baby. Did someone hurt you?" His eyes search mine and in that moment, I know I can't hide anything from him. He knows me too well. He always has.
Afraid I could lose him at any moment, I slide my arms around his waist and hold him as close as I can. I just need this moment. I close my eyes as he runs his nose up my neck, waiting for an answer. "Some guys were just in here and one of them said some things that freaked me out." His body stiffens and he nods telling me to continue. "He said, I was prettier than expected and he can't wait to see me again."
Kellan grips my arms and pushes me backwards to look at my face. "What did this guy look like?" He looks scared for me. That scares me even more. "Tell me everything."
"Well . . .” I say remembering his weird eyes. "He had short blond hair, red contacts and some kind of piercing through his face. He kept looking at me weird and trying to sniff me. He really freaked me out. He had two guys with him and they were just as strange."
Kellan's jaw muscles tighten into hard steel as he grips the table behind him and picks it up off the ground before slamming it back down. "Fuckin' bastards. I will kill them!"
I place my hand on his back, trying to show him it's fine, but it doesn't do crap to soothe him. He just tightens his hold on the table, breathing through his nose. "It's fine, Kellan. I got rid of them."
"What the f**k is wrong with you, Kellan?" Kade yells from behind the bar, causing everyone to stare. Of course he would have to jump in. "Can't you see she's working?"
Ignoring his brother, Kellan grips my arm and pulls me against his chest, rubbing his hands over my hair. "I'm taking you out of here for the night." He kisses my head as if he's afraid of losing me. "We're leaving right now."
I shake my head and look over at Kade who is watching us with a look to kill. "Kellan, that's unnecessary. I have work to do. Kade is about to leave." I reach for the broom but he stops me. I just look at him like an idiot. I don't know what to say.
He pulls me across the room and over to the bar, trying his best to still be gentle. I know he would never hurt me. He pushes the bar door open and drags me behind it with him. "Kade can handle it. You're coming with me, dammit. Where's your purse?"
Not really sure what the hell is going on, my mind blanks. I can't seem to say anything. This stuns me speechless.
"Never mind. We'll get it later." He pushes past Kade and holds the door open for me. "I'm taking her with me."
"The f**k you are, ass**le. She's working tonight," Kade growls.
Pointing a finger at Kade, Kellan pulls me next to him with his free hand and starts walking toward the door. "The f**k she is. You're staying!"
Everyone in the bar is looking now, but none of them seem to want to get involved. Probably smart on their part. I wouldn't jump between these two brothers either . . . or have I already? Shit!
Kade watches with guarded eyes, but doesn't say anything as Kellan pulls me outside into the cool night.
Once outside, I pull out of his grip, but he pulls me tighter and tosses me over his shoulder. "Don't even think about fighting me. You're not staying here tonight. I want you safe, with me."
I get ready to argue, but as soon as he says those last words, I lose all self-will to fight and my body goes limp in his strong arms.
Opening the door to his truck, he carefully places me inside and shuts the door behind him before jogging over to his side and jumping in.