“It’s okay. Work first.” She blinks up at me.
“Yeah, well that used to be my rule, but I gotta say, that rule is quickly flying out the door.” I lean down and kiss the part on her hair, running my other hand down her back. “Sit tight, baby.”
She nods as I step back outside into the cold air and deal with Gloria.
“Gloria, I’m guessing you’ve heard what’s happening with the EPA.”
“What’s going on, Van?” From anyone else, the words might sound accusatory, but Gloria just sounds concerned for me.
“I’m not even sure myself yet. We had a leak. H2S. It happens, you know that as well as anyone, but for some reason, they’re shutting down rigs left, right and center.”
I hear her take a deep breath, but Gloria isn’t one to hold back when she has something to say. “I had a call today, offering to buy out my investment in light of the situation. They made it out as a way out before the business goes under and I lose everything.”
“What the fuck?”
“Don’t worry. I told them to shove it up their ass. Couldn’t find out who was behind it though, the guy I was speaking to was just some lawyer, but obviously whoever it is knows what’s going on.”
“Shit. Thanks, Gloria.”
“No problem. If I hear anything else, I’ll let you know. And Van, if there’s anything I can do—I mean it, absolutely anything—don’t hesitate to ask. You stood by me when I lost a lot of friends, and I’m ready to do the same.”
When Gloria first invested with me, she wasn’t Gloria, she was Paul. Over the years, she decided to fuck what the world thought and made changes to be true to who she was on the inside.
Let’s just say, the world isn’t as progressive as it should be because a good portion of her so-called friends all of a sudden became scarce when she made her changes.
Her offer’s genuine, and I might end up taking her up on it. Gloria has a lot of money and a lot of contacts, but right now I don’t know where any of this is going. I make a quick call to Henry and get him on it before taking a deep breath, trying to center myself and get back to Issi.
As soon as I walk into the bar, I see red.
There’s a guy standing by Issi. He has a highball glass in one hand and the other one on her shoulder.
I see her shift away and glare up at him, but instead of moving away, he pulls out the chair and takes a seat.
“Time to go.” I’m between them in a heartbeat, giving the guy in a gray suit the death glare.
I don’t like to fight. But, I can fight. And I’m damn good at it. In my book, there’s no such thing as a fair fight. If you’re going to push me to the place where I have to fight you, I’m taking you down in whatever way is necessary.
“Hey, just trying to buy the lady a drink. Pretty girl sitting here all alone, looked like she needed some attention.”
“I’m fine,” Issi snaps. “Like I told you already.”
When he doesn’t get up, I step forward, right into his space, making him lean back in order to not have his face right in my cock.
“Turn up your hearing aid. I said time to go.” I swallow and run my tongue over my top teeth. “I’d be happy to help you if you need help.”
“Chill, man.”
“This is chill.” I breathe back. “You wanna see me not chill?”
“Alright.” He raises one hand and tosses back his drink with the other.
I stand my ground, forcing him to push his chair back and retreat to the other side of the bar.
“I can handle things like that.” Issi twists her lips as she looks up at me.
I bend down and plant my lips hard on hers until I feel her body melt and she lets out a long sigh.
When I pull back, I run my hand down her hair then cup her cheek.
“Like I said, there’s lots of things you can do. But there’s lots of things I’m going to need to do from now on. And keeping strays from sniffing around is one of them. I’m going to have to get you a sign to hold onto whenever I’m not around: ‘Taken. Stay away.’”
She opens her mouth, but I take it with another kiss. She may find some of my protective nature annoying, but in time she’ll come to understand it’s not about her lack of ability.
“Come on, baby. Our table is ready.”
She gives me a squint, but I pull her chair out and walk us through the restaurant to the table I reserved. I can’t help but glance around and give the dead eye to any other male who even glances her way. This predatory feeling I have about Issi is new to me, but it feels natural, as though it’s just been dormant waiting for the right time, place, and person to come into my life.