Flirting Under a Full Moon - By Ashlyn Chase Page 0,25
busted up the place. I hate to say it, but if you’re smart, you’ll find another job.”
“And you’ll have to find another place to live,” Wendy added. “I’m sure she knows about the apartment over the bar.
“Why would she target me? I haven’t flirted or even looked twice at Anthony.”
Sadie moseyed over. “Don’t you dare quit or move because of Ruxandra. You haven’t done anything wrong. She just needs someone to blame for the breakup, even though she’s the one who drove Anthony away.”
“And she picked me? Faaan-tastic.”
Sadie extended her hand. “You’re safe. You can stand up now.”
“I don’t know. Someone should probably call the police first.”
“Anthony wouldn’t want that.” Sadie began wandering away, then turned and said, “Brandee, dear. Would you get me another White Russian, please?”
I could use one myself. Brandee let out a long breath, then peeked over the top of the bar. Other than the smashed window and lack of customers, everything looked fairly normal. Malcolm was already sweeping up the broken glass.
“I’ll get that, Malcolm,” Brandee said. “Sadie wants another drink.”
“She can wait. You need to stay away from the windows.” Malcolm emptied the dustpan into the trash.
Nick burst through the front door. “Brandee. Are you all right?”
“Yes, I’m fine.” Her voice quivered.
He dropped his bag on the bar, reached her in two long strides, then pulled her into a strong embrace. “What the hell happened here?”
Kurt rested his elbow on the bar casually. “Hurricane Ruxandra struck again.”
“Anthony ought to press charges this time. I know he doesn’t want to…” Nick yanked the harpoon out of the wooden bar and tossed it in the trash bucket. “But it would be for everyone’s safety, including Ruxandra’s. If anything happens to my girlfriend, Anthony’s psycho bitch won’t make it to jail in one piece.”
Kurt raised his eyebrows. “Your girlfriend? What’s this? Have you turned over a new leaf?”
Nick placed a kiss on Brandee’s head. “Yeah. What of it?”
He declared us a couple in public! Maybe I can trust him… If he’ll just tell me the truth from now on.
Kurt held up both hands. “I wasn’t challenging you. I just didn’t think I’d see the day.”
“Well, now you have.”
“Brandee, are you really willing to take a chance on this lug?”
She gazed up at Nick and smiled. “Yeah. He’s worth it.”
Anthony opened the front door and dragged Ruxandra inside. He aimed a stern glare at her. “Apologize.”
“I will not apologize to that little whore.” Ruxandra was wearing an all-black catsuit as if she had planned on breaking and entering, rather than just breaking.
Nick reached her in less than a second and grabbed her by the throat. “You’d better not be talking about Brandee that way.”
Nick’s jaw twitched and his arm quivered. His eyes flashed with a dangerous intensity she’d never seen before.
Anthony crossed his arms. “I told you. Nick and Brandee are together. She’s not my mistress. I think you owe her an apology.”
“Ugh. Can’t. Breathe.”
Nick let go of her and she rubbed her throat. After a brief hesitation and another dark glare from Anthony, she crossed her arms and tipped her nose in the air. “Fine. I apologize.”
Brandee bit her lip. Her voice quivered when she said, “Your apology is accepted.”
“Frankly, I don’t give a rat’s ass if you accept my apology or not. Just stay away from my Anthony.” She pointed a long red fingernail at the rest of the staff. “That goes for all of you.”
Anthony sighed. “I don’t date my employees—but more importantly, Ruxandra, I’m not dating you, either. You’re unstable, erratic, and I can’t trust you to conduct yourself in a civilized manner. This is my business you’re disrupting. If you care about me, you have an odd way of showing it.”
Ruxandra balled her fists and stomped her foot. “We’ve been together for a cent—for a long, long time. How dare you talk to me that way in front of your peons!”
Anthony grabbed her by the back of her stiff collar. He opened the door and tossed his troublesome ex-girlfriend out, then slammed it behind her. Facing the staff he said, “For the record, I’ve never called any of you ‘peons.’ I value your hard work and loyalty. In light of the situation, I’ll offer a thousand-dollar retention bonus to anyone who stays for the next six months.”
Wendy spoke up. “I can really use the money, but do you think Ruxandra will move on soon—or ever?”
Anthony covered his eyes with one big, pale hand. “I truly hope so.”