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Ashleigh moved beside me, exhaling deeply. “Shit.”
“You know them?”
“Troublemakers. They have been since they were kids coming in here stealing food from my grandpappy as if it was an initiation right to whatever school clique or fraternity they were involved in. The one kid, Zane, had been in trouble with the law, last time for beating up his girlfriend pretty badly. She landed in the hospital and Daddy got him off with a single phone call.”
“That’s terrible.”
She grimaced. “Yeah, the girl will need to use a cane for the rest of her life but at least she’s alive. They have too much money in their trust funds and not enough common sense. And they’re drunk. Remind them we’re closing in ten minutes. Period. Be careful of Zane. He comes on like a bull in a china shop.”
Great. That meant I had to wait on them. “You know I can handle myself with asshole men. I’ll get them out of here. Don’t worry. I have my ways.” I was rather famous in the dining world for being able to convince unwanted patrons to leave.
“Yeah, but I worry about you, girl. You need a knight in shining armor instead of doing it yourself. Just be mindful of him.”
“I will. I promise.”
As they took a booth, one of them immediately grabbing one of the saltshakers I’d filled, twisting the top then pouring the entire contents on the table, I already had to fight my anger. I loathed entitled fuckheads who acted as if we working people were beneath them.
As the one guy started to run his finger through the mess he’d made, I stopped just shy of the table, folding my arms. “I can see you’re not an artist.” I couldn’t help myself.
The guy’s companions laughed but the one I’d made fun of scrunched up his face like I’d seen dozens of times in playgrounds over the years, little boys stomping their feet because they didn’t get their way.
He snarled as he lifted his head like some animal. Did he really think that was going to scare me? “Don’t be a bitch, sugar britches, and bring us some food.”
“Shut up, Zane. Quit fucking around. Can’t you see the girl’s trying to be pain in the ass.” One of the others grinned, giving me a hard look, which I gave right back to him. They were easily in their late twenties yet still acted as if Daddy’s purse strings would keep them in the way of life they’d grown used to.
When Zane made a lurid sound, slurping and using his tongue like a snake, I planted my palms on the table, leaning over and smiling like I was actually enamored with them. “What will you boys have? Maybe a hot dog to try and add some length to your tiny little dicks?”
I could tell all three of them were shocked I dared attack them verbally that way.
“Okay, she is a little bitch,” the second guy said.
“You have no idea. I eat little boys like you for breakfast.” When I growled on purpose, I sensed pretty boy Zane was incensed. How dare a woman attack his masculinity? “So here’s the deal. We’re closed. Go somewhere else.”
I wasn’t certain if what I said would work, but it was worth a try.
“You’re not closed,” the second guy piped in.
“According to the health department who just found rat feces in our soup and condiments, yes, we are.” I was shocked my lie had worked. When they acted like they were leaving, I backed away from the table, giving them a happy little look.
Jerk boy Zane decided to take the condiments from the table, pitching them onto the floor. The glass exploded, including the ketchup bottle since Ashleigh had insisted glass be used. He pushed me back, almost knocking me to the floor.
“I suggest you stop tormenting the lady or you’ll need to deal with me.”
As if coming out of some hero novel, all of a sudden, my new boss appeared from the shadows. I shivered and wanted to tell him I could take care of myself, but given what Ashleigh had told me, maybe having a big strapping man as my backup wasn’t a bad idea.
Easton stood in a dark tee shirt and jeans, the tightness providing a clear indication of just how muscular he was.
“Who the fuck do you think you are?” Zane puffed up, getting right in Easton’s face.
I almost said ‘uh-oh’ but refrained.
“Stop, Zane,” the second guy hissed as he rushed to his feet, trying to tug his buddy back a few inches. “Let’s just go. We’ll get some food at another place.”
“Fuck you,” Zane huffed. “I asked you a question, you old dude.”
For all the things I thought about Easton, I still wasn’t prepared for when he threw two brutal punches to Zane’s face, and I heard the kid’s nose break.
“This is the last warning you’re going to get. Leave the lady alone,” Easton growled in a voice I’d never heard before.
