“Whoa, girl!” Ray went to steady her, but she was fast enough to avoid any contact. She’d gotten good at that around him.
“Sorry,” Jade mumbled, setting their drinks down with a nervous smile. Her worst fear was dumping a drink or a full plate of food on someone’s lap. Not that Ray didn’t deserve it sometimes, especially when he got a little too touchy-feely. “Didn’t spill a drop. Your food should be up soon.”
Hurrying away, she hoped Drake hadn’t seen her close call, but his silver eyes were glued to her. Just her luck, he’d seen her gracelessness. Turning away from him, she rolled her eyes, wondering why she was even worried what the man thought of her. There was no way a guy like him, a para no less, would ever be interested in someone like her. Plain Jade, Queen of Klutz, and a backward nobody. She snorted, getting a few weird looks.
Seeing Sue and Bill heading toward the register, she walked that way, wiping her hands on her apron. “How was everything?” She smiled as she took their ticket and rang them up.
“Great.” Sue nodded, then looked toward the kitchen. “Tell Butch we said hello. I know he was really busy tonight, but tell him the food was delicious as always.”
“I sure will.” Before Jade could take their money, Marsha ran up.
“Their meal is paid for.” She handed Jade a hundred-dollar bill.
“Oh, my goodness.” Sue’s hand flew to her heart. “Now who would go and do a nice thing like that?”
“That gentleman right over there.” Marsha pointed toward Drake.
“Bill, you go over and thank that young man,” Sue ordered her husband. “I don’t think I can walk that far and make it to the car. Give him a big old hug for me.”
“A handshake will have to do, Sue.” Bill shook his gray head at his wife, then headed toward Drake, who stood to meet the man. “I’m not hugging a man.”
Jade watched as Drake took the old man’s hand then leaned down to hear him. Damn, good-looking, sexy as hell, and sweet. What an amazing combination. Her heart flipped and flopped all over the damn place. She was in big, big trouble!
Chapter 4
Drake sat back down after Bill came over to thank him for buying their dinner. He really enjoyed the older couple and wanted to do something nice. Yeah, wouldn’t the guys at the agency get a kick out of that? Him, nice.
“That was really sweet.” Jade walked up with a smile, her eyes searching his.
He had a feeling he was going to have to pull a dick move soon to overshadow this nice shit and protect his badass reputation.
“Nice couple,” he replied with a shrug, as if it were no big deal.
Jade frowned, then held out her hand. “Here’s your change.”
“It’s your tip.” He didn’t attempt to take it from her. He noticed her well-worn shoes, the piece of shit she called a car, and well, he had a feeling she lived on her tips.
“That’s seventy-five dollars.” Her eyes widened, reminding Drake just how beautiful they were. “I can’t take that.”
“Order up!” Butch’s booming voice called out.
“Seriously, I cannot take that.” She placed the money in front of him on the bar then turned, grabbing his food, and placing that in front of him. “Let me know if you need anything else.”
While he ate the most amazing chili he’d ever had, he kept an eye on the room. The small restaurant was emptying out. Only a few remained. Jade had taken asshole and his buddy their food, which they were finishing up, giving Drake a chance to finish his meal.
He had been right; the pixies were unmerciful, but not stupid. They did horrendous things, but not in front of a lot of witnesses, especially human witnesses. It was an unspoken rule of their kind: do their dirty work away from human eyes. Finishing up, he pushed his plate away and then leaned back. He watched Jade work and knew she had to be tired, but she didn’t show it. His eyes roamed her body, and he liked what he saw.
When he had first seen her at the agency, he was drawn to her, felt it deep in his soul, and thought she was beautiful, even with the ugly-ass blonde wig. But when he came out to get her for Jack and saw her long black hair wildly laying against the porcelain skin of her face, he almost went to his knees. When she looked at him with those beautiful green eyes shadowed by long luscious lashes, his heart actually stopped, then started back again in rapid thumps against his chest.
After hearing her story, and then seeing the condition the bastard pixies left her home in, his protection radar went on full blast. No one, and he meant, no fucking one would lay a finger on her. He may be a nice guy to old couples, but you fucked with him or his, you died. And death by a dark elf was the worst nightmare for many in the para world. People thought pixies were evil. They didn’t hold a candle to dark elves. Some said his kind were the right hand of the devil, and maybe some were, but not him. Though he did have his dark side, a very dark side, it only came out when someone he cared about was in harm’s way.
A big burly man came from out of the kitchen, his white apron splattered with many hours of cooking. He looked around the restaurant with a nod, as if approving of what he saw. Then his eyes met that of Drake’s.
“How you doing?” His voice wasn’t as booming as when he called out orders, but it still demanded attention with its gruff, raw edge.
“Not bad,” Drake replied, figuring Butch ran the show here and was Jade’s boss. “Best food I’ve had in a long time.”
“Appreciate that.” Butch reached up, untied the apron and took it off. “Well, I guess now I know why everyone decided to come in tonight. It’s not every day we get a para.”
Not really knowing where this was going to go, Drake decided to play nice. Here we go again, being nice and shit. If he wasn’t careful, he was going to get good at it. “Us paras know good food, and we do have to eat,” Drake responded with a half grin.
Butch cocked his eyebrow, then glanced over Drake’s head before looking back at him. “So, it wouldn’t have to do with my waitress with the green eyes, huh?”
“Would that be a problem?” Drake’s expression stayed the same.
“For me, no,” Butch replied point blank. “But to the asshole who is about to start his shit again with her, I’d say with your size and special para powers or whatever, it will be.”
Drake turned to see Jade heading toward the asshole’s table with the bill. Then his eyes moved toward the asshole with the staring problem. A low growl vibrated throughout his body.
“I’ve chased him out of here more times than I can count, but he just won’t take no for an answer.” Butch sighed as he leaned on the bar. “He’s gotten better with the touching”—Drake froze at the word—"but I have a feeling he’s going to try to make a point tonight since I’m sure he’s here because of the rumors around town about you being here.”
“Touch?” Drake frowned, his eyes narrowing. “He’s touched her?”
“When she isn’t fast enough. Marsha tries to take his table, but he requests Jade and will wait any amount of time for one of her tables to free up.” Butch didn’t sound happy about the fact.
“Then why the hell do you let him back in?” Drake asked, his eyes still on Jade.
“Do you think I want that son of a bitch in here? Fuck no, I don’t, but Jade made me promise. She doesn’t want to hurt my business, and Ray Barnes knows a lot of people.” Butch straightened. “She said that she would quit before she let me kick anyone out on her account. She said she’d deal with it. That girl needs this job with taking care of that brother of hers, and I need her.”
“So what if someone else takes care of it?” Drake slowly stood when he noticed Jade getting agitated.
“As long as they don’t tear up my restaurant, they would have a free meal here any damn time they please,” Butch replied, then thumped his hand on the bar once before going back to the kitchen.
Drake took that as a yes, and when the bastard’s hand reached for the inside of Jade’s leg, it wouldn’t have mattered if the answer had been no.
“So, Jade.” Ray stopped her from leaving. “When am I going to get that dinner and a movie?”
She had to prevent herself from sighing out loud. Yeah, he was starting. “Ray, I really appreciate the offer, but I can’t.”
“What’s your excuse this time, Jade?” Ray chuckled, but there was no humor in his eyes.
He was a handsome guy, built, with blond hair, blue eyes, but he was pushy. Way too pushy for Jade. It was as if he expected everyone to do his bidding at the drop of a dime. Some did; she’d witnessed it. She also knew some of the women he had dated, heard stories and well, she didn’t want to belong to the harem of Ray’s little conquests. She wasn’t that hard up… yet. Seeing his fake grin turn into a frown, she sighed, this time not holding it back.
“We’ve been over this, Ray.” She glanced up to see not only Drake watching but Butch as well.
“Is it because of him? Heard he brought you to the restaurant,” Ray spat out, finally showing his true colors. Gone were his humorless chuckling or fake grins. Nope, he was pissed because she turned him down again and couldn’t fathom her refusal. It appeared there was no way a guy like Ray understood it was her prerogative, nor that she didn’t need an excuse, let alone the fact she didn’t want to date him, go out with him, or even talk to him. She only waited on him here at the restaurant because she didn’t want to cause any trouble for Butch.
“No, it’s not—” Jade’s head snapped back as if slapped. “Are you spying on me?”
“He’s a fucking para, Jade.” Ray’s voice became hateful. “Do you even know what kind of creature he is? I mean, look at his eyes for God’s sake.”
Jade didn’t have to look at his eyes; they were burned into her memory. Okay, that was an odd thought during this confrontation. An odd sensation of wanting to stand up for Drake overcame her. “Don’t call him that. He’s a man, more man than you could ever hope to be,” she shot back, her anger getting the better of her. She turned to walk away, but he grabbed the inside of her leg, stopping her.
“Oh, you think so?” Anger colored his words. His grip, even through her jeans, was painful against the sensitive area of her leg.
“Get off me,” Jade demanded, trying to smack his hand off her leg, but his grip was too strong. Seeing a flash coming toward her, she glanced up, her eyes meeting silver ones filled with rage.
Drake was at the table in an instant. He reached over, knocking Ray’s grip loose from her leg as well as slamming his face into the table. It was so damn fast, all in one motion, and before she knew what was happening, he raised Ray’s head from the table by the hair. Blood gushed from Ray’s nose.
“Wrong move, motherfucker.” Drake, still holding Ray by the hair, pulled him from the table and forcefully dragged him outside. When his brother made a move, Butch who had walked out during the ruckus, put a large meaty hand on Trey’s shoulder.
“And that would be a bad move on your part, Trey.” Butch used his strength to sit Trey back down. “Why don’t we wait here while your brother is taught a lesson on how to treat a lady.”
Wide-eyed, Jade just stood there watching it all unfold. Drake was already out the door with Ray. The remaining customers were clapping while she just stood there in a little bit of shock. She turned to see Marsha, along with a few of the customers, heading out the door to watch.
“Butch, you have to stop them.” Jade threw her hands out, in a panicked move.
“Actually, I don’t.” Butch smiled at her. “It’s about time someone stood up to that asshole since you never would let me.”
“I’m not worth you losing business.” Jade’s eyes were wide, aggravated she was the only one who understood this.
“Well, it seems someone feels you’re worth it.” Butch grinned then winked at her. “As do I, but this wasn’t my doing so you can’t quit.”
“Ugh!” Jade said, turning toward the door and rushing outside. Her eyes searched and what she saw made her cringe, then grin, then frown, grin again, clear her throat and lastly, yell, “Put him down!”
“Not until he agrees to apologize.” Drake stood back, staring up at Ray whose battered face appeared confused.
Somehow, Drake had hung Ray from one of the street signs, and Ray’s feet were dangling almost comically. Obviously, this had been done after beating the hell out of him. Drake was leaning against a car, his feet crossed and his arms folded in front of his massive chest as he glared at Ray.
“Drake, he doesn’t have to apologize,” Jade whispered, embarrassed that this was about her.
“The fuck he doesn’t,” Drake growled, then glanced at her. “Sorry, but yes, he does. Don’t you, Ray?” Drake looked back over at Ray, then made a sudden move toward him, making Ray wiggle and jerk around like a worm on a hook.
“Okay! Okay!” Ray shouted, then spat blood. “I’m sorry. Now let me down, goddammit!”
“Nope, not feeling it.” Drake shook his head, then looked at the small watching crowd. “You all feeling it?”
“Hell no.” Gary, an older customer who owned the only hardware store in town, shook his head. “You owe Jade an apology. You’ve been harassing her every day you come in that I’m here. I’ve seen it. We’ve all seen it. I say beat his ass some more.”
Jade’s mouth dropped open in surprise. Gary Milner was such a sweet old man. This was a side of him she’d never seen before.
“Watch it, Gary.” Ray’s swollen eyes angled the man’s way. “Or I won’t be buying my supplies from you.”
“You think I give a rat’s ass, boy?” Gary snorted. “I’ve never said anything before now because Jade asked me not to, but those days are over. Jade is the sweetest girl who deserves to be treated with respect. She doesn’t want anything to do with you and, young man, back in my day, you’d be an embarrassment to your family and friends for the way you’ve treated her. Now, you owe her an apology, and I’m not leaving till she gets it. None of us are.”
Drake nodded at Gary, then leaned toward Ray. “Actually, I don’t have all night, so if I don’t hear a heartfelt apology in the next thirty seconds, I’m going to kill you.” Drake cocked his eyebrow.
“Well, there’s that option.” Gary shrugged his shoulder. “I know the perfect place to hide the body. And we won’t say anything.”
This whole thing was so absurd that Jade didn’t know what to say, do, or think. But her wide eyes stared at Gary as if he were a complete stranger, rather than a local she had known for years.
“Damn, really, Gary?” Ray cried out. “After all we’ve been through.”
“You’re a privileged little prick,” Gary shot back, then chuckled when everyone agreed. “I never did like you.”
“Well, Ray, looks like no hero is coming to your rescue, and you have ten seconds left.” Drake glanced at his watch before looking back up at Ray. “Apologize or die.”
Jade was getting ready to open her mouth to stop this madness until Ray stared right at her. “I’m really sorry, Jade.” Ray’s voice actually shook with emotion. Fear probably, because if she were being honest, she was a little afraid for him.
Everyone’s eyes went to Drake, hers included. She didn’t know if anyone else held their breath, but there was no way in hell she was going to let Drake kill a man over her. She was ready to jump on him when he stood quickly and walked up grabbing the front of his shirt pulling him down, so they were practically face-to-face. The sound of Ray’s shirt ripping filled the silence, but he was still attached awkwardly to the sign.
“If you ever touch her again, I will find you. I will kill you. If you even look her way, I will find you, and I will kill you.” Drake’s voice had turned deadly. “As a matter of fact, Jade does not exist where you are concerned. Do you un
derstand?”
“Yes.” Ray nodded, looking as if he were going to cry.
“And if you think of reporting me, my boss is Jack at Elite Crime Unit.” Drake took a step back. “And he can be a real dick, good luck.”
“I’m not telling anyone,” Ray promised, then twisted his body again in the same worm-on-a-hook kind of way. “Now get me off here.”
Relieved it was over with no killing involved, Jade was ready to breathe a sigh of relief until a weird grin took over Drake’s face.
“Get yourself down, you son of a bitch.” Drake pulled back and punched Ray in the jaw, knocking him out cold.
Drake walked straight toward her, took her hand in his, and led her back into the restaurant. “You weren’t really going to kill him, were you?” She quickly kept pace with him.
“Nah,” he said after a moment of hesitation.
Glancing up at his stone-cold expression, Jade didn’t believe him.
Chapter 5
The car ride was quiet, but it was taking Drake longer to get his anger under control than usual. Now inside her home, Jade flitted around nervously, picking up random messes, and she hadn’t even put her bag down yet.
He just stood watching her, but when she got within reach, he grabbed her bag and set it on the small table by the couch. She stopped and looked up at him. A sudden thought came to him. “Have you eaten anything?” He frowned, knowing since this afternoon she hadn’t. Once they left the agency, they were only at her home long enough for her to change as well as apologize for the mess the pixies left her house in, and then she worked her ass off at the restaurant.
“Um, no.” Jade shook her head as she broke her gaze with him and continued to tidy up.
Glancing at his watch, he sighed. Everything would be closed by now, except…. “Come on.” He grabbed her bag, handing it to her. Then he ushered her toward the door.
Claiming Jade Page 3
