His to Protect: A Fireside Novel Read Online Free PDF Page B

people.
    I saw her worry for Trina increase with every passing second.
    “Is she hurt?” I asked and looked out through the small glass window in the kitchen doors at entrance to the dining area.
    As I expected, Trina was in the entryway, hands clasped in front of her. Her eyes roamed the area without stopping. Without really knowing her at all, I could tell she was tense from the flickering of her eyes and the tightness of her shoulders.
    “She has a bruise,” Emily whispered, looking toward the cooks, who were efficiently preparing late lunch orders.
    “I know. I saw it.”
    “You know her?”
    “Met her last night,” I replied, walking around her. “She’s the one who’s been making a mess in the alley.”
    I heard Emily’s shocked gasp as I pushed through the doors. The sound grabbed Trina’s attention and her head snapped in my direction.
    For a moment, all I could think about was why she was here. Why did she walk away from me and everything I offered her the night before, only to return looking like a rumpled mess?
    That same strange sensation I had last night sparked in my chest when I reached her.
    “What happened?” I snapped, and cursed myself when she flinched.
    Taking a step back, Trina’s gaze flickered around the restaurant before coming back and meeting mine.
    “I, um…” She paused and sucked her lip between her teeth, worrying her flesh before letting go. “I thought maybe you could help me.” Her voice was soft. Meek and scared.
    It made me want to growl like a fucking animal.
    I almost did when her eyes became wet with unshed tears.
    Without thinking about scaring her, I wrapped my hand around her bicep and pulled her toward the bar.
    She flinched from my quick grip and I let go, feeling like a grade-A asshole. “Sorry. I think we should talk by the bar. There’s less noise.”
    And more privacy, because it was empty, which wasn’t rare early in the afternoon.
    It’d be packed on the weekend. Detroit doesn’t have the best NFL team, but fans were still rabid. And that was a tame description when it came to the U of M and MSU fans that flocked to bars to watch the two college football teams battle it out. With Detroit being just far enough away from Ann Arbor and Lansing, a lot of people in the area didn’t make it to the games as much as they wanted to.
    But they did appreciate my ninety-six-inch projection television on the far wall of the bar.
    It was the best place in town to watch a game, and one of the only reasons I hadn’t gone bankrupt yet.
    “Charlie.” The young bartender looked up and grinned when I called his name.
    “What can I do for you, boss?”
    I nodded my head toward Trina. “Get lost and give me five minutes out here.”
    He frowned, but the kid was too friendly all the damn time to care that I just kicked him to the break room. “You got it,” he said and tossed his towel by the sink behind the bar. “You want privacy with your lady friend, I’ll let you have privacy.”
    The sexual innuendo laced in his voice was as obvious as the sky was blue.
    I felt Trina’s embarrassment heating the small space between us.
    “Get the hell out of here or you’re fired.”
    “You threaten me with that at least once a week.” He walked away and let the hinged panel of the bar slam down, instead of closing it slowly. One more thing I could fire the guy for.
    Except women thought he was cute and he knew how to flirt. It was good for tips and business.
    Plus, I actually liked the little shit.
    “One of these times I’m going to mean it.”
    “Promises, promises,” he sang teasingly as he walked away.
    Shaking my head, I couldn’t suppress a small grin. I gestured to Trina. “Have a seat and talk.”
    She listened and something inside me liked the fact that even if I scared her some, even if she was uncertain, she still listened without challenging me.
    There was a time when I liked that about a woman. Someone who trusted me.
    Not only with her heart, but her