Chapter 19

LENNOX

The evening air feels cool and refreshing against my skin as I step out of the shower. Steam billows around me, mingling with the thoughts racing through my mind. I spent the entire afternoon prepping the bar with Greyson and Alora, making sure everything was set for tonight. Now, I'm rushing because I need to pick Stevie up from her shop.

Not going to lie, I was surprised she actually fucking agreed to wait for me this time. Usually, she's so goddamn stubborn, insisting she can take care of herself. And she can, but that doesn't mean she should have to, especially not with Sweet Dreams lurking around. The vile shit she told me about what they did to her makes my blood boil. I've met a lot of fucked up and sick people in my life, but none who would go to the lengths these people do to profit off innocent kids. They've hurt, killed and sold hundreds, probably thousands of them. It makes me sick to my stomach thinking about it. But they'll pay for it all. For every fucking one of them. They hurt my girl, and I'll kill every last one of them, taking their lives with my bare fucking hands if I have too, without a second thought.

Last night was hell. Not because of the shit that went down, but because I spent the entire night outside her house, sitting in my fucking in my car. Being the typical stubborn woman she can be, she wouldn't let me stay inside, and there was no way in fucking hell I was going to leave her unprotected. So I watched, making sure no one else showed up and tried to fuck with her. Once morning came, and the streets filled with people making anything happening unlikely, I drove home and managed to catch a few hours of sleep before I had to get up, shower and head back out.

As I drive, guilt gnaws at me. Bringing Sweet Dreams' attention onto Stevie was never my intention. Shit I had no idea the shit she left behind when she came to my city, how could I? But now that it's happened, it's my fucking mission to keep her safe. Whatever it takes. I know Greyson will have my back if needed.

Besides, I can handle Sweet Dreams on my own.

I'll take them all down. Burning them and burying their ash with the rest of the bodies in my junkyard.

I pull up to her shop, and there she is, waiting outside with an impatient look on her face. I notice the cat carrier in her hand and while normally, I'd have some smart-ass comment about bringing a cat with her, I decide todays not the fucking day. Stevie is tough, and puts on a good front, but I know she's scared, and that cat means a lot to her.

Even if I don't fucking understand it.

Yesterday, I saw the fear in her eyes when she thought something might have happened to Grim.

It's a fear I can relate to.

Putting the car in park, I get out of the car and make my way to the passenger side where I open the door for her. My mom might be gone, but she raised me to be a gentleman.

"About time," she says, her usual sass coming through.

"Sorry for making you wait, lil spark," I reply with a smirk. I take her bags, including Grim's carrier, and put them in the back seat as she climbs into the passenger seat. When I climb back into the car, her scent hits me—floral yet earthy.

Fuck I love it.

She's wearing an oversized grey hoodie, a pair of jeans that match my own, and those boots she loves. She looks exhausted, yet there's still that sparkle of defiance and attitude lingering inside her. Being around her makes me feel alive, like every moment matters, which is one thing I learned when I lost my parents. Not to waste a single fucking moment with the people who mean something to you.

And Stevie, she's my fucking everything.

"You're coming to BB with me tonight," I tell her, my tone soft but firm.

She starts to argue, but I cut her off. "This isn't negotiable, Stevie. I can't make sure your safe if I'm not there, and tonight is one of the busy nights, there's no fucking way I'll be able to focus at work while you're at home alone."

She rolls her eyes, but finally agrees, with a sassy huff. "Fine. But Grim needs a place to stay. I'm not leaving him in my apartment."

"He can hang in mine, it's right above the bar," I say. "And then we can both crash there after closing."

"Okay," she agrees, but then she adds, "I'll need to stop by my house to grab some things first. Clothes and some stuff for Grim."

"That's fine, but you need to be quick. Greyson and Alora are already waiting for me," I nod, starting the car.

As we drive, my mind races with thoughts of what it'll be like having her spend the night at my place. It's not just about keeping her safe. There's something comforting about knowing she'll be close. The idea of waking up with her nearby... it's more than I've allowed myself to hope for in a long time.

Taking my eyes off the road for a second, I glance over at her. She's looking out the window, but I can see the tension in her shoulders. Part of me wants to reach over, to touch her and let her know everything will be okay, that I'll make sure nothing happens to either of them. But I keep my hands on the wheel and return my eyes to the road. There'll be time for that later.

When we pull up to her house, I shut off the car and start to climb out.

"What are you doing?" she asks, as she opens the passenger door.

I laugh, "You didn't think I'd just send you inside without making sure it's safe, did you, lil spark?"

"I don't need you to protect me. Besides, it's been like a few hours. I doubt anyone broke into my place in the middle of the day." she snaps back as she steps out and slams the door.

"Yeah well, I don't take chances, especially with shit that belongs to me. So I'm going in with you. You can either sit here and fucking wait till I clear it, or you can follow me,"

She rolls her eyes with attitude and sighs. "You're such a pain in the ass,"

We head inside and find no intruders. I stand by the window, watching the people pass by as Stevie packs a bag. It only takes her a few minutes before she drops the bag at my feet with a thud.

"Since you insist on being up my ass, you can at least make yourself useful and carry my shit," she snaps, crossing her arms over her chest. My lips pull into a smirk as I bend down and grab the strap, tossing the bag over my shoulder. We head outside, and Stevie locks the door behind us.

When we reach my car, Stevie's eyes wander. Scanning the street for any threats. She's on edge, and I don't blame her. But she doesn't have to be. Not with me here.

"Ready?" I ask, opening the trunk and tossing her bag inside. Her eyes snap to mine briefly.

"Yeah," she replies, sliding back into the passenger seat. I watch as her eyes find their way back to the small apartment. Her home. I hate that by keeping her safe I have to deprive her of the space she calls her own, but with Sweet Dreams knowing where she lives, and having already attacked her there, I can't risk her being there alone.

Neither can she.

The drive to BB is quiet, but it's a comfortable silence. I'm lost in my thoughts, and I can tell she's deep in hers too. When we finally pull up, I park the car and help her out before grabbing her bags from the trunk and backseat as she grabs Grim's carrier, consoling him through the mesh windows.

We head inside the bar and find it bustling with energy. The usual crowd is already in full swing. Greyson and Alora are behind the bar, and they give us a nod as we walk in.

"Let's get Grim settled, and put your bags upstairs, then we can come back down," I suggest, leading her upstairs to my apartment. It's not much, but it's home. And tonight, it'll be our sanctuary. I unlock the door, and push it open, guiding her inside.

Once inside, she sets Grim's carrier down and looks around. "It's nice," she says softly.

Placing her bags down on the couch, I take a step toward her, and grab her hand, pulling her into me. With my arm wrapped around her waist, I use my other to tilt her chin up. Forcing her eyes to mine. "Make yourself at home, and head down whenever you're ready," I tell her, keeping my tone soft. "I have to head downstairs and help them, but if you need anything, just ask, okay, lil spark?" I tuck her hair behind her ear.

"Okay," she nods, and for the first time in a while, she looks a bit more at ease. I press my lips softly to her forehead, inhaling the sweet fresh scent of her hair before releasing her.

I head back downstairs, my mind racing. Tonight is about more than just keeping her safe. It's about showing her that she's not alone. That we may have started out as rivals in a game of sex and fire, but I do fucking care about her, and I'll do whatever it takes to make sure she knows it.

Working the bar with Greyson and Alora for the past hour has been smooth sailing. There's a comfort in knowing Stevie is safe upstairs. It makes the shift so much easier. I'm dealing with customers, a drunk couple who've ordered another round of my signature cocktail, The Blizto. Our top shelf Bourbon, ginger beer, grenadine, cherries for the garnish, Luxardo not maraschino, all poured over the rocks in a chilled glass, topped off with some cherry wood smoke.

Pure fucking perfection.

As I mix the drinks, I glance up and see her making her way downstairs.

She's wearing a tight red dress that stops mid-thigh. It has thin straps, hugging every curve of her petite body. It leaves little to the imagination, not that I need to imagine her body.

I've seen it.

I've felt it. My breath catches in my throat. Fuck she looks good, effortlessly drawing the eyes of everyone in the bar, which pisses me off, but her eyes find mine, and for a moment, the room feels charged, like something's about to ignite.

She takes a seat at the bar in front of Alora, and they start chatting. I keep serving customers, but my eyes keep drifting back to her. watching how she seems to fit right in. Every time I see her, it feels like my pulse quickens. I never thought having her here, so close, and looking like that would be both a comfort and a fucking torment.

The night progresses and things seem to be going great. The bar is busy, Stevie is a few drinks in and laughing as she chats with Alora. It's nice, watching them get along so well. It reminds me of how mine and Greyson's mothers used to be.

The best of friends.

As I take another customer, I spot a man from the corner of my eye as he approaches Stevie and whispers something in her ear. He's tall, thin and covered in tattoos. His greasy blonde hair, slicked back against his head. She looks over at me, and I know she can see the rage burning inside me. She smirks, as she lets the man lead her to a booth at the back of the bar.

What the fuck. I'm pissed.

I know what she's trying to do. While I love the fucking games we play, I'm getting tired of her bringing other men into the mix.

The guy hands her a drink and wraps his arm around her. Greyson comes up beside me, "Chill," he says, his voice low as he warns me to breathe. I laugh, but it's hollow. "Yeah, right. If it was Alora, you wouldn't be able to just breathe through it."

He takes a moment to let that thought sink in and then says, "Well, then make it fucking clear who she belongs to. So this shit can't and won't happen again."

I smirk, locking eyes with Stevie. Tossing my white towel on the counter, I storm off toward the back of the bar. The customers clear a path for me, sensing the rage radiating off me. When I reach her, I can hear her laughing. It's forced, no doubt trying to make it seem like she's genuinely interested and having a good time. But I know she's not. I've heard her real laugh, and right now, she's fucking playing.

This guy is nothing but a pawn in her game to piss me off.

To push my fucking buttons.

I grab her wrist, pulling her from her seat. Her defiant eyes lock with mine as a smart ass grin forms on her face.

"What the hell is your problem?" the guy shouts, standing up in protest.

I don't reply, instead I slam my fist into his stupid fucking face, and he drops to the floor, knocked out cold. Everyone around us watches as I bend Stevie over the booth she was sitting in. She's still laughing, clearly intoxicated and enjoying the chaos she's started.

But I knew she would. I knew by reacting I was giving her exactly what she wanted. Just like she knew my rage, my fucking anger would result in her getting punished. Reminded of who she fucking belongs to.

I lift her dress up, exposing her perfectly round ass, and pull her panties to the side. Pulling my cock out, I spit on my hand, and spread it around the hardened length as the people around the bar watch. The chatter has subsided, and the weight of everyone's eyes are on me. I spit in my hand again, and wipe it across her pussy before smacking it hard. She cries out at the sting, and with one quick thrust, I fill her. Right there, in the middle of the bar, I claim her.

Not caring who is watching.

She's fucking mine and I will make sure everyone fucking knows messing with her, means messing with me.

Each thrust is a warning, a threat. "She. Is. Mine.," I growl, and everyone hears it.

Stevie moans, her pussy clenching around my hard cock. She's so goddamn turned on it won't take much for her to find the release she's looking for.

A release I don't want to give her.

Not here, and not like this. So I pull out, tucking myself back into my pants and pulling her dress back down to cover her ass.

My fucking ass.

She protests with a frustrated pout, clearly pissed off that I didn't finish what I started. Good.

"Upstairs. Now," I command, keeping my eyes focused on her.

Greyson nods from across the bar, giving me the green light to follow her up. Internal thoughts swirl in my mind. BB can get rowdy, don't get me wrong. Shit pops off sometimes, and we've had our fair share of crazy scenes, but not like the show they got tonight. They'll never forget it. Those customers will be talking about it for weeks. Telling their friends. Their coworkers, anyone who will listen.

Shit people could've been recording, posting to social media, and I still wouldn't care. I got my point across.

There's no way any of them can forget now. She's mine. All fucking mine.

I head upstairs after her, my mind set on making sure she understands. The game might be fun, but there are limits. And tonight, she's going to learn exactly where those limits are.