CHAPTER FIVE
GRAYSON
My eyes didn’t leave the bar the entire night. She looked hot as hell as she flipped bottles in the air and lit drinks on fire. Loose strands of hair fell across her rosy cheeks and she brushed them away quickly before getting back to work. For the first time ever, club Ravenous had a show stopper at the bar. I made sure Riggs and Knox were on standby at each corner, just in case one of these fuckers decided he wanted a taste of something more than a drink. If he did, he was in for a huge surprise. I made it damn clear that no one was to touch my girl.
Out of the corner of my eye I noticed a commotion at the entrance, and I slapped Riggs on the arm. Out of the crowd came a big burly guy. He towered over the group he was with, and I immediately noticed the two pistols tattooed across his arm. The lettering across them read Los Perdidos. I felt Riggs tense up beside me.
“You know them?”
“I know that guy. He was here with Tuco. That’s Gabriel “El Rubio” Moreno, he’s Tuco’s younger brother. He’s bad news, man.”
“So, that’s El Rubio.” I eyed the guy who had dared to raise his gun at Wolf. Fucker didn’t know who he was dealing with, but then again, no one really knew us. It didn’t surprise me that they’d shown up, mother fuckers had balls.
I immediately got Riggs and Knox to follow me and I indicated to Seth to watch the bar. We approached the men and spread out making sure we weren’t surrounded. I had my gun at my back and my training kicked in as I approached them.
“Los Perdidos aren’t welcome here.”
The guy raised his hands and took a step back. “Come on, vato. We just want a beer.” He lifted his jacket, showing us his tattoos. “See, no guns. Just beer.”
His accent was thick and I didn’t really know what to make of him, but I didn’t want to start a fight. I saw a few of our VIP club members at the bar nod at me questioningly, and I nodded back telling them to relax.
“Don’t you think it’s a little dangerous to be at Ravenous, Rubio?”
“Finally! Someone who knows my name!” He raised his hands in the air, smiling slyly. “Cause you know who I am, right, vato?” His tone of voice was harsh, like he wasn’t really asking a question, more like making a statement.
I nodded. “We all know who you are. Nothing to be proud of. The less we know of you the better it is for you.”
Riggs came up beside me and El Rubio straightened up, fisting his hands at his sides. “We meet again, maricón.”
I could feel the hostility coming from Riggs and I turned, placing a hand on his shoulder. I leaned over to him. “Keep calm, man. I don’t want any loose cannons.”
He nodded, but he kept his stance beside me.
“Man, you famous, bro!” One of his guys propped his elbow on El Rubio’s shoulder. He held a thick accent and was shorter and stubbier than his leader. He had spiked black hair and black eyes to match, definitely someone I didn’t want to keep my eyes off of. “You know everyone!”
He was being sarcastic and I could immediately tell these guys were unpredictable. I didn’t want to start anything, especially on Rahyne’s first night, so I decided to let them have a few drinks. Better to keep them close so we could keep an eye on them, keep your enemies closer, you know.
“One drink, then you get the fuck out!”
“Oh, come on –”
I walked up to El Rubio, bringing my face down to his, he was actually a few inches shorter than me. “I said. One. Drink.”
“Okay, okay, vato,” he raised his hands. “No hay bronca, cabrón.”
He looked around the club and whistled. “Nice digs you got here. It looks better than I remember it.”
I grunted. “One drink.”
I turned to Riggs and I caught him glaring at El Rubio. “Come on Riggs. Let it go, man.”
“This isn’t a good idea, Gray.”
“Yeah, well, it’s either that or have them shoot up the place. One hour, then you can throw them out.”
He finally looked at me and nodded. “Fine.”
I walked back to the private lounge area set up for just the Hell’s Lovers. I sat down and texted Wolf, keeping my eyes fixed on Rahyne.
Grayson: Tuco’s men just showed up.
Wolf: What!
Grayson: They were led by El Rubio.
Wolf: Fuck.
Grayson: Don’t worry about it. I’ve got Seth, Knox and Riggs here with me.
Wolf: I’ll be right down.
Grayson: I said don’t worry about it. I got it handled.
Wolf: Are you sure? Call Cain in if you have to.
Grayson: Just stay put if I need you.
Wolf: Ten-four
I threw my phone down and looked up to see Rahyne staring at me. She hurried along the counter picking up orders, but occasionally she’d glance my way, a concerned look in her eyes. She must have noticed what happened.
I leaned back in the booth and kept a close eye on El Rubio. He sauntered up to the bar and yelled out to her, catching her attention.
“Oye linda! Hit me up with three beers!”
She nodded and quickly slid three mugs his way. He smirked and I felt my blood starting to boil as he leered at her. I watched as his eyes travelled down her body and became glued to her pretty little ass, my pretty little ass. I stood up angrily and sauntered over to the other end of the bar. I felt her eyes on me as I perched myself on the bar.
El Rubio shouted out to her again. “Come on, Preciosa, don’t walk away from me! Let me talk to you for a sec!”
She rolled her eyes and slowly sauntered over to me. I took in the sway of her hips and I tensed as I realized he was looking at her too. She leaned in to me and smiled.
“What can I get for you, handsome?”
“Handsome, huh?” I licked my lips and let my eyes travel down her body.
She laughed and rolled her eyes at me. “Haven’t you gotten enough of that yet?”
I smiled at her and shook my head. “Never. That’s become my addiction, baby.”
My eyes wavered to the other end of the bar where El Rubio was sipping on his beer while his eyes were glued to her body. I wanted to shield her from his dirty glare, and it took everything in me to keep my cool. I was trying to avoid giving him a beating, but if he touched her, all hell was going to break loose.
I looked back at her, I lowered my gaze to the countertop. My voice came out deeper and more menacing than I intended it to.
“Is he bothering you?”
She could sense the intensity of my words and paused for a moment, seeming to contemplate her answer. “If I say yes, then are you going to hurt him?”
I shrugged. “Maybe.”
“What if I say no?”
“I’ll still hurt him.”
She looked at me and frowned, but kept quiet as she considered her answer.
“Do you want me near?”
She shrugged and gave me one of those beautifully open smiles of hers. I caressed her cheek and just as I was getting lost in those pretty green eyes I heard the bellow.
“Oye, preciosa! Don’t leave me stranded!”
She sighed. “I’ll be right back.”
“You better.”
She winked playfully at me as she walked away, and I couldn’t help myself from appreciating that tight rear end that was bent over for me earlier.
I made sure to stay close enough to hear what he was saying. “Is that your boyfriend?”
She looked down and took another order.
“Come on, Preciosa. Answer me.”
She looked right at him and smiled. “If he is or isn’t my boyfriend, I suggest you be careful how you talk to me.”
“Whoa!” He raised both his hands up in the air. “I was just trying to talk to you, mama. I mean with a culo like that – mmm, mmm, mmm—you’re so fucking hot, I bet you fuck like you look.”
He pointed at his men and they all started to laugh. I slammed my fist down on the counter and looked at Seth and Riggs giving them the signal. I walked up to El Rubio and grabbed his beer just as he was about to take a swig. I handed the glass to Rahyne and she grabbed it without any hesitation.
“Get the fuck out!” My voice was beyond threatening, and I shook trying to control myself from wailing on him.
“What the fuck, cabrón!” he stood up, glaring at me angrily.
“You don’t talk to her like that! You don’t even fucking look at her!” I was seething in anger.
He snickered. “Don’t tell me you’re fucking this piece of shit?” His words were directed at Rahyne, but taunting me. “I’ll tell you something, Preciosa. You leave him and I’ll show you what a real man tastes like.”
Without thinking, I swung at him. The first punch landed on his jaw, the second broke his nose. He staggered back and hurled at me. I side stepped him and slammed my elbow on his back. He went down like a sack of potatoes. He stood up rather quickly, all crazy-eyed as blood ran down his mouth and chin.
I spread my legs expecting him to charge at me, which he did. He slammed into my chest and the air whooshed out of my lungs. He landed a punch to my gut and I grunted as pain shot through me. My adrenaline kicked in and I managed to knee him in the ribs. He grunted and let go of me. I slammed my fist in a fierce uppercut and he landed in the middle of the floor.
I reached down and dragged him back up throwing him towards Riggs. Seth and Knox were holding the other two gang members in a tight grip. “Get this shit out of my club!”
“With pleasure!” Riggs tightened his grip at the base of Gabriels’s neck and started to shoved him out.
“This isn’t over, cabrón!” Rubio pointed at me as he staggered forward. I knew Riggs’ hand as his throat had to be pushing up against his wind pipe.
I felt soft hands at my back and I whirled around still breathing heavily. Large emerald eyes met mine and I sighed. The people around us went back to drinking and the music started pumping again as Rahyne led me to one of the private lounges in the back.
I let her sit me down. Her hands gentle as they touched the bruise on my right cheek. I groaned, falling back into the plush couch. My ribs were on fire, the pain making it hard to breathe.
“Why’d you have to go off like that?”
“Did you expect me to stay quiet as he insulted you?”
She sighed. “No. But you didn’t have to get yourself hurt, or threatened.”
I grabbed her hands in mine. “No one hurts what’s mine.”
She shook her head. “And I’m yours?”
“Damn straight.”
She looked at me then, and I suddenly felt her slip away. “I’m not property, Grayson. I belong to no one.”
I frowned, for the first time uncertain of what she felt for me. “You belong to me.”
“And what’s next? Am I to quit my job and lock myself in an apartment making sure to be at your beck and call?”
She stood up angrily and turned to leave. I reached up to grab her, but she remained out of my reach. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
“I know what you meant. You think you can control me, take away everything I have, strip me of who I am. Well, you found the wrong girl for that, Grayson Carter.”
“I was just protecting you.”
“I don’t need anyone to protect me, I can look after myself. I always have.”
“Baby…” I stood up and walked towards her, but she raised her hand to stop me.
“That’s enough, Grayson.” She looked up at me, a hint of disappointment in her gaze. “You’re just like every man in here. You just want your woman to cook and clean for you. Someone to fuck until you get bored. I get it.”
I looked at her in shock as I shook my head. “You get shit! What the fuck, Rahyne? Where the fuck is this coming from?”
She looked down at the floor and a tear dropped to the floor. I reached for her again, but she took a step back. “I already went through this once, Grayson. I think it’s best if we end it here.”
I stared at her in shock and watched her walk away from me. I felt as though she had taken a bat to my heart and smashed it into little pieces. I collapsed into the seat and felt as if though I couldn’t breathe. I was furious and hurt like never before.
Everything was fine with us. What the fuck just happened?