Sorry, Roman, I think silently when the other patrons just grin and throw me understanding looks.
Miah’s scowl deepens and I can practically feel the anger radiating from Jared at the slur I just cast out.
“Mel—”
“Stop. Just stop it,” I say so only they can hear me. “You’re making things harder for me than they already are, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t. If they all think I’m in with you Lanes, I won’t get a scrap of information out of a soul in these parts and you know it.”
I know that they think they’re doing me a favor by showing up here, but we adhere to class rules in this place. The Lanes are rich punks and the rest of us are family.
“Dammit, Mel, you can’t be running around between these criminals while—”
“These criminals are my family and I’d thank you not to insult them that way, Miah Lane. Every one of them would die protecting me and don’t forget it,” I warn, closing my eyes in resignation when Will sidles up and leans into the bar right beside Jared.
The man is hot with his blond hair, blue eyes, and muscled body, but he’s the most contrary person I know and I foresee an unpleasant night now that he’s involved.
“Well, fancy seeing you boys here. I believe the swanky bars and fancy houses are on the other side of town. Y’all lost or something?” he asks conversationally. I see Jared’s hackles rise before his arm shoots out and he wraps a hand around Will’s throat.
“I ain’t lost, Sparrow, just looking in on family is all. Now why don’t you skedaddle on back to your little crew of misfits and mind your own business,” he growls, letting go so slowly, I hear every bone in Will’s throat pop as he releases him.
The action causes a wave of fury and Will’s men quickly begin to circle the brothers.
“Dammit! All of you stop this shit right now and go on back to your own business!” I yell, feeling my temper ignite anew.
This is why I am so pissed at Roman. The man is missing in action and not here to tell people that I can take care of myself. I know that a lot of his liberal thinking is actually him giving me a little rope before he “convinces” me to do things his way, but I like that about him.
The threats keep coming and I see Lon grab his piece when Miah rises.
That does it!
I have the shotgun out from behind the bar and I’m aiming it a minute later, my hands steadier than they have a right to be, considering I’m about to lose my cookies because my stomach is quaking so hard.
Tracy, meanwhile, is lounging back and looking on as if she doesn’t have a care in the world while Jace rises to his full height and towers over Lon.
“You know how to use that gun, big man?” Jace asks easily and I see Lon stiffen when the Lanes all chuckle darkly. “I bet I could dismantle that baby before you got off one shot.”
That makes Lon stiffen and narrow his eyes in that way he does before he gets serious and I know I have about half a second to get things simmered down before bullets really do start flying.
“I’ll give y’all to the count of ten to sit your asses down and calm your flow or I’ll put lead in every single one of you assholes,” I growl, cocking the shotgun for emphasis.
I’ll give them all new breathing holes in a blink if they so much as make another move toward each other. At this range, I can guarantee some of them will be going to the hospital to have buckshot tweezed out of their stubborn asses.
I see Will and Lon tense as the rest of the crew back up a step, still recalling Gervais Aimes who grabbed my ass one time and ended up running for his life when I unloaded old Bertha in his direction.
It was the last time that man ever darkened my doorstep, and I’m certain they all remember that I am not a chick who makes idle threats.
“Whoa now, darlin’, we’re just having a friendly conversation,” Lon coos, holstering his piece with a grin when I turn my gun and my simmering eyes on him.
“Oh yeah, Lonnie? Well why don’t you shake their hands and buy them a beer to prove it?”
He stiffens and I see him swallow his spit before a grin lights his face and Will’s lips start twitching.
It doesn’t escape me that these fool Lanes are all grinning as if I just handed them all winning tickets to the national lottery.
Men. Jesus, give them a woman capable of violence and they all think it’s cute or something.
Give me strength.
I have the need to shoot them all just for thinking I’m not serious, but I calm the urge and lower my gun when they all start laughing. I see Will clap Jared on the back in commiseration.
“That brother of yours had better come claim that woman, ya’ll hear me? I can’t have a hormonal pregnant lady with a shotgun working my bar for the next nine months. The last time she lost her temper, I spent a few grand cleaning up her buckshot and getting rid of a man.”