Standing Guard

Judson

T his is a real piece of shit bar—rickety tables, chairs that wobble when you sit in them, and the only television in this place has a busted speaker. The sound of static hums loudly, overpowering the news anchors, trying to tell us about the rising crime rates in Cassville.

The only nice thing about this place is that it’s always empty. There’s usually one or two drunks at the bar, and that’s it. It’s boring, but it’s an easy way to get paid. I just wish the pay was better.

“Why the fuck does Derrik like meeting his clients here?” Sanos complains yet again. “And why is it always so hot?” He opens his suit jacket, trying to waft some air around his big barrel chest.

“Stop that.” I shoot a pointed look at the gun secured to his belt. “It’s not wise to show off what you’re packing.” I swear, this fucker’s got Jello for brains. But I get why Derrik keeps him around. Sanos is big. Like real fucking big. He’s edges close to six foot ten with hands the size of frying pans. He’s as dumb as the day is long, but you don’t have to be a brain surgeon to beat the shit out of someone.

“No one gives a shit about my piece,” he says, still fanning himself.

“Suit yourself,” I say. “But you never know when someone is looking to disarm you.”

“Like who?” Sanos’s voice booms as he motions to the empty tables. “I don’t even know why I bring the fucking thing.” He grabs the edge of his holster, shifting it an inch or two backward. “Why don’t you pack a gun? This is dangerous work.”

I want to laugh at that. Derrik’s a low-level loan shark. I started doing odd jobs for him simply because the work was easy. But I haven’t thrown a punch in almost three months and it’s making me restless.

“I don’t need a gun.” I give the room a sweeping look, pretending to be on alert. I’m so goddamn bored.

Sanos grumbles some more, groaning about shitty work conditions. With nothing else to do, I check my reflection in the mirror behind the bar. I look decent. I keep my hair neat but a little long on top. It’s still perfectly styled and my facial hair is on point. I don’t have anywhere to go, but I like to look good.

“Kenny!” A busty brunette shoves open the back office door. Her tits bounce as she walks, her hips swaying in a very unnatural way. “Did you take out the trash?” she yells at the barkeep.

“Nope.” The massive alpha behind the bar ducks down. He displays the top of his tattooed head as he reaches for something. “Watch things for me, doll.” He stomps around the bar, carrying a small black trash bag.

And just like that, a whirlwind of memories hit me… yet again.

It’s been a little over two years since everything went down with Carys, but my brain still forces me to constantly think about it—whether I want to or not.

The last time I saw the pretty omega, she was asking me to take out the trash for her. Her face was gaunt, with dark circles under her eyes and she looked completely exhausted, but she still managed to smile so sweetly for me. She always smiled.

I scowl at my intrusive thoughts, clasping my hands in front of me. I want to pull at my tie or check my phone in my jacket pocket—but I force myself to remain perfectly still as images from that day force their way into my head. I saw Preston arrive home and march into that apartment. He was already spitting fire, barking at me to get the fuck out of there. Something inside me told me to stay, but I didn’t. I got in that godforsaken elevator, leaving Carys all alone with that monster.

And the guilt has been eating me alive ever since.

Why did I leave?

I knew what was going on. I saw the constant bruises on Carys's wrists and neck, and the black eyes she’d try to hide behind her hair. She even tried to convince me once that a busted lip was the result of a slip-and-fall in the kitchen.

And I never did anything about it, because I was a coward.

Maybe I still am.

Preston was a powerful alpha. He was a vicious bastard, who liked to make examples out of people that cross him. And fucking with his mate definitely would have ended with me in a pine box. But I can’t help but still wish I hadn’t left.

“It’s hot as balls in here,” Sanos whines, tugging at his collar. “Maybe I can get Ken to turn on the air when he gets back.”

“That cheap bastard ain’t turning on anything.” I stare off into the distance, not focusing on anything in particular.

“I bet he’ll do it for twenty bucks.” Sanos reaches into his pocket, fishing out his wallet.

My phone buzzes, but I can’t tell if it’s mine or my burner. It’ll have to wait though. I never check either one when I’m on the clock.

“Can you believe this shit?” Sanos looks at the TV above the bar, his fat fingers trying to fish a single bill out of his tiny leather billfold.

“What shit?” I ask, not really interested, but I’ve got a few more hours to kill.

“That crazy omega that is back on TV.” He points with his wallet, a twenty-dollar bill hanging out of the fold. “The one that tried to cut her alpha’s junk off, then cut open her own belly.”

My head snaps to the screen mounted over the bar.

And there she is.

Carys fucking Day.

She’s haunting me a bit more than usual today.

I squint, focusing on the old photo floating next to a chatty news anchor. It was from her trial. She was wearing a green dress that was a good two sizes too big and her hair hung in her face, hiding an obvious scar. She was all alone. Abandoned by her family in the wake of her trial, and shunned by the media. She looked as if a stiff wind might shatter her into a million pieces. So fragile and small. I wonder if she still looks like that.

“Kenny!” I get the barkeep’s attention. “Turn that up.”

Kenny pulls the remote out from under the bar. He mashes the buttons, and the static grows louder, but I can still make out the news anchor's words.

“ It’s been a little over a year and a half since Carys Day’s day in court. ” The anchor says in his overly rehearsed voice. “ The omega rose to fame when she attacked her mate, then turned her blade on herself. According to our sources, Ms. Day has been claimed by a new pack .” The screen changes, flashing an image of a big, modern-looking building. “ Many have speculated that Ms. Day was accepted by the Havenfield Academy for rehabilitated omegas, but the institution has refused to confirm .”

The camera pans to show the anchor and his co-host, a woman in a very tight pink blazer. Their serious expressions shift, and the woman smiles. “ For the sake of her new alphas, let’s hope we don’t see her in the news again .” They both chuckle at the shitty joke, and my jaw clenches.

“ I couldn’t agree more, Monica .” The anchor turns back to the camera. “ Coming up after this commercial break, Dr. Evangiline Faullkner is here to weigh-in on the dangers of mating known violent omegas .”

The static stops for a brief movement, then it blares as a jingle for used cars rips through the whole damn room. Kenny struggles with the remote for a second, finally bringing the volume down to a manageable level.

“Who the fuck would want to bring that kind of crazy into their bed?” Sanos balks, shaking his head. “I swear, some alphas will risk anything to fuck an omega.”

Rage coils my fists. “She’s not crazy,” I grit out.

“Are you kidding me?” The big alpha’s brows shoot up as he takes in my hard expression. “She tried to cut her mate’s dick off. Tell me that’s not the craziest shit you ever heard.”

Pulling in a deep breath, I turn away from Sanos, trying like hell to keep my cool. But it’s a losing battle. I don’t know why it still gets to me. I’ve heard so many awful things said about Carys over the last year and a half. I’ve thrown many punches over it, trying like hell to defend her, but people love hating her. Preston’s people painted her as an insane, spoiled bitch that simply snapped. It has since made him look weak to other alphas, but, at the time, the piece-of-shit was too busy avoiding charges to care what the rest of the world thought of him.

“I don’t get you, Jud.” Sanos keeps talking, clearly determined to push all my fucking buttons today. “You barely say shit, never wanting to hang out with us after work. And then you get pissed over the dumbest shit.”

“I just don’t think it’s fair to judge her,” I say, checking the knot in my tie.

“Fair?” Sanos lets out a bark of a laugh. “She wanted to slice off her alpha’s fucking cock!” he says as if I’m the one that’s lost my mind. “Who gives a shit about fair? That bitch should have been locked up.” He cuts an angry glare at the TV. “Her status as a protected omega saved her sorry ass from a real punishment.” He grumbles some more. “I can’t believe they mated her off to a new pack. She’ll probably slice them up too. Stupid bitch won’t?—”

My fist connects hard with the center of Sanos’ face, making the fucker’s head pop back. He freezes up for a second, completely stunned.

Blinking repeatedly, his meaty fingers touch the bridge of his nose. “What the fuck, man?” His fists curl tight.

“No fighting in my bar.” Kenny pulls a baseball bat out from under the bar. Then his eyes cut to the door just past me, reminding both of us that our boss is only a knock away.

Sanos’s senses seem to return. Rage still pours off of him, and his chest puffs as he tries to bow up to me, but he takes a step back, rocking on his heels. He won’t do anything. It would embarrass Derrik if he started a fight in here. Fucking lap dog.

“This isn’t over,” Sanos growls, flexing his fingers as if he wants nothing more than to grab me by the throat.

“Yeah, it is.” I fish the burner out of my pocket, tossing it onto the nearest table. “I’m done.” I don’t bother looking at Sanos, as I walk off. But his shocked tone tells me everything.

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

I can practically see the alpha’s shocked expression.

“What the fuck, man?” he yells after me. “What am I supposed to tell Derrik?”

“I don’t fucking care.” I shove the door to the bar hard, squinting as bright sunlight beats down on my face.

Carys fucking Day.

I wonder if Preston saw that broadcast. Knowing him, he’ll try something. He’s not one to let go of a grudge. I’m sure he’s throwing around a fuck-ton of money trying to find Carys.

Maybe I should stop by and see him.