Chapter 8: Rush

Chapter Eight

Rush

“ T ell me she’s safe,” Bear growls as soon as I answer the call.

“She is.” I toss the dish rag over my shoulder and mosey toward the back of the U-shaped bar.

That fucking dick who had his hands all over her is sitting at one of the tables, frantically watching the reception area. I’m sure he’ll pop up to try to chase her down as soon as he spots her.

“Lennox was half frozen when she got here.” I swipe a hand over my face. “I got a warm shower going for her before I left her room.”

“Did you help her into the shower?” he asks, and for once, he sounds intrigued rather than annoyed.

“No, but I did help her out of her soaked socks and your coat.” My teeth dig into my lower lip as I recall her scent in vivid detail. “I don’t know how you’ll ever bring yourself to wash your sheets.”

He grunts. “I told her to wake me up, and I would drive her over…”

I only got the highlights of their time together, but he specifically mentioned how sad she seemed.

“I get the feeling she doesn’t remember a whole lot,” I say, choosing my words carefully.

Bear can be a lot for anyone to handle, and the next time they see each other, I don’t want him to spend an hour lecturing her all over again.

She seemed especially defeated this morning.

“She needs a keeper,” he growls and curses under his breath.

“There’s something else.” I frown as the asshole shoves himself out of the booth he’s been sitting in. Stomping around the bar, I check for Lennox, but she’s nowhere to be seen.

“Rush!” Bear snarls so loud, it makes my ear ring.

“I’ll fill you in later, but it’s nothing we can’t handle,” I assure him, pulling my phone away and hanging up.

Malik Thorne checked in last night. He’s a little rough around the edges, but we live by the docks. Fishermen are a breed of their own. They don’t always look the fanciest, and they’re quick to throw down when it comes to it, but they’re hard workers and usually respectful.

It didn’t even click as strange that he showed up with no reservation. I assumed he was visiting friends or family on the island for the upcoming holiday.

“I think we got off on the wrong foot.” He extends a heavily tattooed hand over the bar, and I stare at it a little incredulously. “You can call me Thorne.”

“Rush, which you know.” I cross my arms over my chest to make it clear I’m not interested in shaking his hand.

“I can see it in your posture. You’re in full-blown alpha protector mode, but I can assure you, I’m not a threat to Lennox.” He sighs, swiping the hand I refused to shake through the dark hair on top of his head.

“The only reason I haven’t kicked you out is because she told me not to,” I tell him truthfully.

“Really?” His face breaks into a sly grin that I instantly hate.

I should have kept my fucking mouth shut. Bear tells me all the time that I’m too chatty. It comes in handy here and at Dry Dock when I’m bartending, but there is such a thing as oversharing.

“Things between me and Lennox are complicated right now, but you’ve got it all wrong if you think you need to protect her from me.”

“She made it clear you’ve already hurt her once.” My jaw slides side to side as my teeth grind together.

I don’t have any real authority to tell him to fuck off. She and I just met, but he’s right. Lennox has already triggered every protective instinct that I’ve got. It’s an insane feeling, but those particular impulses have never been activated before.

“I recognize trouble when I see it.” I smirk. “She deserves to be treated right, and you missed your chance.”

“You really want to take it there?” he growls, rolling his shoulders back and gesturing to his chest. “I get it. I look like a criminal. That was by design. I spent eight years doing deep cover with the DEA. Two of which were spent with a family that specialized in trafficking omegas.”

My head tilts.

I’m not sure what I was expecting, but that wasn’t it.

“They’re no longer a threat to anyone, but it got dicey for a while.” He sighs heavily. “I cut ties to keep her safe, but I’m no longer at the government’s beck and call. I’m here to fix everything I fucked up the first time around.”

“Luckily for you…” I shrug. “You don’t need to convince me of anything.”

Bear always accuses me of being too trusting, but something about this guy rubs me the wrong way.

“I saw the way you looked at her.” He stares straight into my eyes as he speaks. “And I’ve always known that she would need a pack one day. She’s going to have a heat in a couple of weeks, based on her lab work. I’m planning to be bonded to her before she ever steps foot inside The Exchange.”

My eyes narrow.

Bear and I may be twins, but we took different paths in life. He went into the military, while I took a scholarship to play hockey that eventually led to being signed professionally. While he may be more dangerous than I am, I’m no stranger to skirmishes, on and off the ice.

I don’t know who this guy thinks he is, but if he doesn’t readjust his attitude, I’m likely to readjust his face.

“I’m heading out to buy Christmas and courting gifts.” Thorne winks. “If you could keep an eye on her until I get back, I’d appreciate it.”

He really must want to be introduced to my fist on an intimate level.

I stare like an idiot as he pivots on his boots and swaggers out.

Maybe Bear has finally started to rub off on me, because I suddenly understand why he hates people.

Jesus Christ.

What a fucking dick.

Lennox doesn’t pop up for breakfast or lunch. We’re working on a skeleton crew because I got a little generous with time off around the holidays, but luckily, the staff we can’t live without is here. Probably because they reside on site, but I’ve learned my lesson for next year.

I place an order for lunch, hoping I pick something Lennox will like, and stand around, waiting for the minute Max, the cook, hands off the tray.

“Thanks,” I say, nodding at the two other members of the kitchen staff as I pass. The employee elevator is just across from the kitchen.

I hop in, pushing the button for Lennox’s floor.

Janet and Chrissy can handle the restaurant, bar, and check-in desk. I mean, there were only five people in the entire restaurant when I placed the order.

They’ll be fine.

I probably shouldn’t be checking on a guest, rather than working, when we’re short-staffed, but that doesn’t stop me from stomping down the hallway as soon as the elevator doors open.

Keeping the tray balanced on one hand, I knock on Lennox’s door with the other. It feels like an eternity passes before I knock again.

The door finally opens, but not very far.

Lennox’s nose is red, and her hair hasn’t dried fully from her shower earlier.

She’s still beautiful, but the aura of sadness is unmistakable.

She sniffles, tilting her head as she takes me in. “I thought there was no room service.”

I chuckle. “Technically, there’s not, but I made an exception. Can I come in?”

She nods, pulling the door open.

She’s in an adorable pair of cotton pajamas. They’re green with red candy canes, penguins, and reindeer. It’s a very festive pattern that reminds me the holiday is just around the corner.

“You did pack for the cold, after all.” I step over, setting the tray down on the table and spinning to face Lennox once again. “Any lingering damage from the walk this morning?” My gaze falls to her feet, and her toes wiggle.

She laughs awkwardly. “No, but I did spend the last few hours snuggled under the covers while trying to warm up.”

“I can turn the heat up for you,” I offer, tossing a thumb over my shoulder and toward the door. “This whole floor has one thermostat?—”

“No, I’m fine.” Her cold hand lands on my wrist, pulling my arm down. “I think I was just stuck in my feelings, and without a real nest…” She shrugs. “I’m apparently complaining nonstop.”

“I brought you lunch.” My hand twists to wrap in hers, since it’s still within reach. “You hadn’t come down, and I guess I was looking for any excuse to check on you.”

She beams, and my heart beats funny in response. “That’s very sweet.”

“You don’t even know if you like what I brought.” I grin.

Goddamn.

She’s really pretty all the time, but when she smiles, she’s fucking stunning.

Well, Thorne and I might agree on fuck all else, but we’re definitely in agreement about Lennox not stepping foot inside The Exchange.

That dick has his own plan, but I have mine.

Bear doesn’t care about anything or anyone enough to call and check in, but he called to make sure Lennox is okay. That’s more interest than I’ve seen him show in someone…ever.

Now we just need to coordinate, so we can sweep the little omega off her feet. She’ll be over Thorne in no time, once she sees the way a real alpha courts an omega he’s interested in.