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your ass, girlie, but you’ll both be leaving now. See them out,” he instructed the bouncer and then moved on to another table.

Chapter 3
    â€œBut—but I still have a friend inside. We came together,” Haley protested.
    â€œC’mon.” The asshole bouncer took her by the arm.
    â€œBig mistake.” Reid stepped in. He had little tolerance for bullies, let alone one who’d lay hands on a woman. “Hands off her. Now. I already told you what I’d do, and I’m about itchin’ to make good on my promise.”
    Chest puffed, the bouncer moved into Reid’s space. “All you marines think you’re such badasses, don’t you? The minute you put on the uniform, you’re fucking Superman.”
    Reid shrugged. “The Corps’ reputation speaks for itself. A marine is your best friend or your worst enemy…and I ain’t exactly feeling the love right now.” He wasn’t the brawling type, but Reid never backed down when pushed to the wall. “This is your last warning,” Reid threatened.
    The bouncer met him stare for stare. “You’re gonna have to knock me down.”
    Reid tensed. He knew the musclehead had a good forty pounds on him, which might give him the advantage of brute strength, but he’d be slow and clumsy. He’d have to strike first and fast. The dumbass would never know what hit him.
    He was about to do just that when Haley interposed herself between them, hands anchored on her hips. “This is ridiculous. Do heightened testosterone levels kill brain cells or something?”
    Both men stared down at her dumbfounded, their mutual antagonism temporarily forgotten.
    â€œLet’s just go, Reid.” She grabbed his arm, dragging him in the direction of the door. Reid hesitated, his eyes never leaving the bouncer. For a moment the asshole looked like he’d follow them out, but then turned away with a shrug.
    Once outside, Reid shook his head with a chuckle.
    â€œWhat’s so funny?” she demanded.
    â€œJust taking a mental inventory,” he replied. “First, I get my ass kicked at pool. Then, I barely escape arrest for contributing to the delinquency of a minor. After that, I’m harassed by an overzealous, steroid-enhanced gorilla looking for a brawl, which by the way, would have landed me in the brig. All this within two hours of meeting you. You are a whole lot of trouble in a tiny little package, Haley Cooper.”
    â€œI never should have involved you,” she replied, looking contrite.
    â€œIt’s all right,” he said. “To be honest, I can’t even remember the last time I got thrown out of a bar.”
    â€œIt wasn’t my intention to cause you any trouble. I’m really sorry.”
    â€œI’m not,” he countered. “Just wish I’d gotten at least one punch in. That bouncer deserves to get his ass kicked.”
    â€œLet it go. It’s bad enough as it is. They’re not going to let either of us back in that place for at least six months.”
    â€œDoes that bother you?”
    â€œWell, no,” she confessed. “I hate clubs. I’m just glad Yolanda wasn’t there. She would have throttled me if she got banned from her favorite trolling spot.”
    â€œThen it is all for the best,” Reid said.
    â€œWhy’s that?”
    â€œNow she can’t drag you back here again. Problem solved.”
    His answer elicited a laugh. He liked the sound.
    â€œBut what about you?” she asked. “You can’t come back either.”
    â€œDoesn’t matter to me. I don’t dance, and there’re plenty of better drinking holes a lot closer to base. Besides, I’m gonna be gone for the next eight months anyway.”
    â€œIraq?” she asked. “I heard what you told the cop. You’ve already been there?”
    â€œYeah. I’ve been to that hellhole.”
    â€œAnd now you’re going