21. Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Drake

There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for my family. Hell, I had promised my dying mother and then again my dad and grandfather that I would do whatever it took to always make sure my brothers were safe and taken care of.

Right now, I needed to step up my fucking game like the entire world depended on it. And when Lacy is concerned, it does.

I was standing in the bar, watching as the place filled to the brim. This was what I lived for and I intended to keep everything the same.

The next moments happened so fast, none of us in the bar had time to react. The doors blew open and in walked Josh with a group of scumbags trailing behind him. I tensed, taking a quick inventory of who I had in the bar who could possibly have my back if a fight were to break out.

This damn fool sure did have a lot of balls to come walking into my bar and clubhouse. Everyone in the room grew silent as Josh made his way to the bar. While none of them were privy to what Josh had done, they all saw the way I tensed when he walked in. Rumors had spread about a possible outing with us, but no one dared to ask what the truth was.

“Hey Raven,” Josh announced, as he saddled up to the bar.

I threw him an evil glare as his crew stood behind him, acting almost like bodyguards.

“What are you doing here, Josh?” I asked.

I could feel all eyes on me and as I quickly glanced at the clock to my right, I realized it was almost time for Lacy to be home. She had early morning classes and then worked at the boutique. I didn’t need her walking in and seeing Josh here.

“Well, I didn’t like how our last conversation went down. You seemed angry, Raven,” Josh said, a smirk growing on his ugly face.

“The name is Drake,” I reminded him. “If you know what is good for you, then you will turn around and leave my bar right now,” I say, trying to keep my face serious and not filled with rage. I don’t let the customers know that something big is going down right here.

“Not yet. I have another proposition for you,” Josh says, completely dismissing my command.

I clenched my fists at my side and my right hand still hurts from where I punched the wall. “I’m not doing anything else for you,” I growled.

He waves his hand, refusing to listen to my reason. “I was thinking, it might not be a bad idea for a couple of my guys to stop by here every weekend to sell some of the product we shipped to San Antonio,” he says, acting as though we are old friends chatting and not enemies on the brink of war.

He is pushing my buttons and I feel as though I am about to explode. Just as I am about to really let into him, the unthinkable happens. The doors open again and in walks Lacy.

Her eyes settled on me and understanding washes over her. I know my woman and this is going to set her off.

Almost running to the bar, Lacy comes to my side instantly. “What is he doing here?” she asks, her eyes narrowing in on Josh.

Josh seems to perk up when he sees Lacy and just seeing him look at her sends deadly anger through me.

Josh turns to Lacy and I see that sly smile grows wider. “Look who it is, it’s Mrs. Raven,” he coos. “You are very beautiful, you know,” he says, as he reaches for her hand.

Lacy takes a step back, but I move forward, lunging at Josh. “Don’t you dare touch her,” I shout.

Now, everyone stops and stares at the commotion at the bar. It’s not a weekend crowd, but our regulars. They all begin standing, sensing the danger. Even the drunks hunkered down in the corner, stand and stagger their way to the crowd forming around us.

“I know what you did and don’t you dare think you will get away with it,” Lacy seethes. I see that she is trying to hide back her anger from me, but my girl can’t control that sass sometimes.

Fuck, it’s hot watching her stand up for me. And, if I didn’t want to strangle Josh, I would take her upstairs and make her scream and come all night long.

“Wow, you like your women feisty,” Josh taunts. “It seems like you both are not ready to chat right now. I will be in touch soon,” he warns, as he stands to leave.

I feel Lacy grab my hand and hold me steady. She is keeping me from reaching across this bar and strangling Josh as he leaves. I am forever grateful for her calming touch, even though I can feel her own body shaking with anger.

Neither one of them says another word as Josh and his crew leave. Everyone around us just watches, waiting for me to say or do something.

Just then, Axel comes running in through the back door. He is out of breath and panting as he takes in the quiet scene in the normally loud bar.

“What’s going on?” he asked, his voice shaking.

“Nothing,” I grumbled, as I give everyone a warning glance to get back to their damn business.

“Bullshit, Drake. I got several texts and calls from guys here in the bar. They said Josh was here and you all were about to fight,” Axel says.

“Well, he is gone now. He came in here to mess with me. Wants us to do business again,” I say, rolling my eyes as I say the word business.

“Drake, something has to give. Call the police. Beat his ass. I don’t care what, but this guy needs to be stopped now,” Axel almost yells. “We have women that rely on us now. Our lives are different. We can’t let some prick like Josh control us,” Axel finishes.

To my surprise, Lacy just stands there and doesn’t utter a single word. My feisty, sassy girl isn’t saying anything. I don’t know if I should be proud or worried.

Watching my younger brother be this honest with me makes me proud. But, he has a point. I’ve let this go too far. It’s not just us that we have to worry about anymore. All of my brothers, including myself, are growing up and starting families. I need to take control and I need to do it now.