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Christ all fucking mighty!

I schooled my features and swaggered back to the table to finish my beer and get the fuck out of there. I glared over at where Sophie had been sat and noticed she was pulling her coat on, getting ready to leave. I still had my phone in my hand yet struggled to type out a text, asking what her plans were. Ayden had come back from the men’s room and when I caught his attention subtly, what happened in the store room fell away. It didn’t seem important when I locked eyes with him.

“I’m out lads.” I drank down the dregs of warm beer and banged the bottle down on the table. Shorty looked over at me and I knew what he was gonna ask before the words even registered in his brain, he was just that predictable. And a goddamned idiot.

“So tomorrow, yeah?” My stomach churned, the adrenalin that had pumped me up moments ago took a hike when Shorty opened his mouth.

“Yip, all set.” I pointed my finger at him, “Don’t fuck it up again, Shorty.” The last time the prick ran this particular deal for me, I’d lost a fuck ton of money and a set deal. I wasn’t quite at the top of the pile yet, so the debt still needed paid and that came mostly from my own pocket.  “Last time, Shorty.” I warned.

Phone still clutched in my hand, the beep coming from it signalled an incoming text, I hoped for half a second that it was Ayden, wondering if the fucker was brave enough to start something. Who was I kidding? If I had any say in the matter the guy would be on his knees sucking my dick before the weekend was out. It’d been a long time since someone revved me up the way this guy did; he had me so fucking horny from just five goddamned minutes in the bathroom. Man, I’d bet his arse was an absolute joy to pound. And the fucker was hung too; I was getting me a piece of that for sure.

Peeking over to where he was, taking no longer than a second in fear of giving myself away. He was looking this way and our eyes collided briefly before I dropped my scowl to my screen. Sophie. She was staying out, going home with Ayden, which I had no problem with knowing he wasn’t going to be making moves on her. The friend was still occupied with another woman, no worries there either. I shot a text back then shoved my phone away, smiling.

“That Sophie, man?” Shorty asked with a smirk I really didn’t care for. Guy was getting a bit too cocky for his pants these last few weeks considering the trouble he’d been causing, and I wasn’t liking it one little bit.

I didn’t acknowledge his comment, it was a waste of breath. “I got to get home.”

Shorty laughed behind me. I spun around, glaring at him, daring him to laugh again.

Go on, you fucker, I dare you....

He shrugged, like disrespecting me was no big deal to him. “She ain’t even your woman and she’s got you on a short fucking leash, man!”

He’d gone there. The silly twat laughed again. He laughed so loud he hadn’t even realised that the rest of the table had gone deathly silent and were staring daggers at him. They weren’t as stupid as Shorty, and most had respect for my sister. Shorty was a certifiable dick, with no respect for anyone.

Shaking my head, thinking I must have heard him wrong and he wasn’t just dissing me a second ago, my anger finally exploded. See, no loyalty. Not even for family and it stuck like a razor blade in my throat. I let my anger surface; I was done keeping cool, and got right in his face, giving him the most venomous sneer I could muster. To say he’d rattled my cage at the wrong fucking time was an understatement.

“Say what?” I spat through gritted teeth. He tried to flinch away, but I was much quicker than he was and before he knew what was going on, I had my hand wrapped around his thick neck, watching the alarm spread across his face as he realised the mistake he’d just made.

Joke or not, I didn’t find it funny. I heard chairs scuffle around the bar and saw movement in my peripheral but paid no heed, I wasn’t worried. When it came to these dicks I was the man on top and they knew it. Which begged the question, what the fuck was Shorty thinking? Did he have a goddamned death wish?

His mouth was moving up and down, probably trying to spew some bullshit apology I didn’t want to hear, but my hand tightened, and I kept watching as his face purpled under my grip. Batting at my arm in a pathetic attempt to loosen my hold, he frantically sought to gulp in some much-needed air at the same time. Now, he could have fought me back and not gotten himself into this position, Shorty was a heavy guy, but for whatever reason, he took it.

The whole club had gone silent, waiting for my next move. I was betting someone was just dying to call the police but stopped short for fear of retribution from the rest of my boys. They knew who I was and what I was capable of, it would seem I hadn’t lost my touch. I almost smirked at their fear, but then, how arrogant was that?

Catching movement to my left across the other side of the bar, a sick feeling erupted in my stomach. I knew exactly who it was, and silently begged that he stayed where he was. I didn’t need to be knocking him on his arse to prove a point, and I really wanted that something with him. I looked up and sure enough Ayden was standing tall, watching the action, hands stuffed in his pockets. Disappointment marred his face; I couldn’t handle it right then, so I turned back to Shorty. Time to leave before I couldn’t reel myself in and lost my temper altogether. I was disgusted that he saw me this way in the first place, never mind making it worse.

Slowly unravelling my fingers from around Shorty’s neck, I watched him sag into the table with, rubbing at his throat. Giving him a hard push, I leaned down whispering into his ear. “That’s my sister. Make a remark like that again and I’ll be seeing you on the other side, mate!”

Shorty visibly paled, frantically nodding his head in agreement. I scooped up his beer and necked what was left of it as I tracked Ayden, Sophie and their friends leaving the club. I needed five minutes to pull my head together; I couldn’t leave right behind him.

No fucking way, best he knew and understood exactly who I was before any shit started between us. Yeah, he was better off leaving. I doubted he could handle me or my tragic life. I sighed, feeling hopeless and hating my life just that bit more. Dropping back down on the seat across from Shorty, the rest of the guys did the same and the chattering started up. All was well with the world again it would seem. Shorty was staring at me as I glared back at him, shaking his head in apology.

“Leave it, man.” I said, lifting my hand in a peaceful gesture. Point made. I had no energy left to fight with the prick and he got it.

The phone in my pocket went off again, probably Sophie. I chuckled, feeling lighter at the thought of her, opening up the message icon.

Unknown: I see why they call you Gripp - Ayden

Shaking off the last dregs of anger, I grinned, I mean a real fucking huge grin and I didn’t hide it. Christ, I couldn’t hide it. This guy did indeed have some very large balls. I ran my finger over the triangle of stubble on my chin as I read the message again, wondering which way to take it. After all, I did have a pretty good hold on his dick not more than ten minutes ago. Rapping my knuckles on the table and getting up, I left the club feeling marginally better than I had a few minutes ago. Hell, I practically skipped out of there like a bloody ballerina!

Yeah Ayden, look out boy, I’m fucking coming for you...