A Lighter Shade of Blue (Kings of Chaos 2)

Time goes slower than I ever imagined possible with Blue at the bar. My eyes keep coming back to the clock. I watch Havoc swagger up and lean against the bar beside Blue.

“Well, this is a new development, isn’t it?” Havoc asks.

Blue looks at me and I nod.

“Yeah, it is, Havoc,” I say.

“Psycho know?”

“Yeah, we cleared it through him, got his blessing. He’s not a brother you want to cross,” I answer.

“Yeah, no shit,” Havoc replies. He pulls at his white beard and glances from me to Blue. “You sister hopping?”

“No, finally got the one I always wanted.” I cover her hand and squeeze it.

“That right?” Havoc asks.

“Yeah, brother, that’s a fact.”

“Little Bluebell’s the one you were pinning for? How’d you end up with Calla?”

“I don’t see how that’s any of your business, Havoc,” I say, careful to keep things polite. The brother is second gen. He’s been in this longer than me, I owe him respect, but he’s crossing a line.

“Hmmm. You know we don’t treat our family like club girls.”

“That ain’t going on here, Hav.”

The old man studies me with shrewd brown eyes. “Hmm. Time will tell, won’t it?”

“We ain’t got nothing to hide.”

I can see Blue drawing back into herself and it makes want to deck Hav and lay him out in front of the bar.

“Need another bucket of beers for the table,” Havoc says, leaving the topic alone.

“Coming right up.”

I walk away wondering what he’s whispering in Blue’s ear. I gather a bucket, stock it full of beers, and return it to Havoc.

“Thanks, brother,” he says, slipping back into the crowd.

The rest of the night is a blur as I fill orders, oversee service, and get in small conversations with the girls. Ruthie is feeling Skull and unless I’m way off, he’s on the same wavelength. They would be amusing together, and it would be more time with Blue if we did double dates. I know girls like that shit, and keeping my Old Lady happy is a priority for me. As the tabs are done and the customers peter out, I begin to close down the bar in hyper speed. I don’t like the way Blue looks. She’s disengaged from Ruthie, who’s busy flirting with Skull. Is it what Havoc said, or the family crap?

“You need me for the rest of the night?” I ask Skull.

He glances toward Blue. “Nah, man, we’re good. I can watch the girls shut it down.”

“Hey, you and Ruthie have any more plans tonight?” I ask.

Blue blinks and glances at Ruthie.

“I’m good here, Blue. You go spend some time with your man.”

“If you’re sure?” Blue says.

Ruthie rolls her eyes. “Go.”

I walk around the bar and lift her off the barstool, taking matters into my own hands. She squeals as I pause, toss her over my shoulder, and slap her ass.