by J D Worth
In a deep voice, Mace calls out to Payton ahead of us in the crowd. She whips her head back, glancing between the two of us. Her eyes narrow at Mace, or rather who’s standing in front of him, and he’s the reason we stopped in the first place. Her face distorts into anger the closer she gets to us. “I know! I’m dealing with it,” Mace grinds out, passing me over to Payton.
“Audrey, come dance with me.” She places her arm through mine, leading me away from Mace and his unexpected guest. I dare glance back at the gorgeous man in his early thirties, wearing a slick black Armani suit, stopping Mace in his tracks. His sharp chiseled features and stylish dirty blond hair sticks out in this place of casual dress. He doesn’t belong here and only seemed to show up because he has business with Mace. Ford gave him a warning. Looks as if Anton’s been waiting for Mace to show. We move towards the front of the stage. Payton nudges Cal with her arm, motioning to where we left Mace. Jax joins him while Violet scoots up to the two of us. Cal and Jax scramble through the crowd to join Mace as a tempestuous debate befalls Mace and Anton.
“Is Mace in trouble?”
Payton sighs in resignation. “No, his daddy Abe doesn’t always keep good company, so Mace has to clean up after him.”
I grimace. “That doesn’t sound good.”
“Nothing new, and Mace can handle things. He’s had to pretty much since he was young. He grew up way too fast ’cause of ole Abe.” I chance one more look back. Anton has his eyes planted on me. A shiver rushes over me as I study a scar that runs above his right eyebrow. My mind screams knife wound, telling me to scramble now. Anton smiles as I step further away, bumping into the packed crowd surrounding me. Mace moves his large frame, blocking Anton’s view while Cal and Jax flank him on each side.
The music changes. Payton moves with her hand up, raising mine in the process. She shifts her hips in a seductive way to the slower beat. “Dance with me, Baby Girl. This next song is sexy as hell. Looks like Gavin has a thing for you.” She smiles up at the lead singer of the band. He’s grinning back at us as his eyes question Payton about her new friend. She flirts back to him, pointing to the back stage. He flashes a cocky, sexy grin. She laughs. “He wants to meet you after the show. Let’s show Mace what he’s missing. Oh boy, Gavin’s is going to shit himself when he finds out your Mace’s woman.”
“I’m not sure about that anymore. Mace is hot and cold with me.”
“I noticed at the motel. All the more reason for the seduction, Baby Girl!” Payton dances with me, giving Gavin a show. I lose myself in the live music and the experiences I’ve been craving. Breaking into a solo, Trent draws closer to us as we dance together. He hams up his bass skills while the audience eats up his performance. Impressed with his musical talents, I bow my head at Trent. He blows me a kiss while grinning wide.
Payton yells out, “Oh, shit!” She points over to the side. A fuming, black haired, skimpy dressed woman clears a determined path our way. “That’s Melody.”
I take a step back. Trent’s attention has set Melody off. She locks her crazed eyes on me. The guys spoke of her violent history, so he’s not someone to mess with, especially when she’s consumed far too much alcohol. Payton holds her own, stopping Melody from rushing me by pushing against her shoulders. From the looks of things, Melody wants to tear my hair out with her gnashing teeth.
“You’re her, huh? Trent’s new bitch!” she screeches.
Payton warns, “Melody, watch it, Mace is here tonight. Do you remember how badly you trashed Darla last time you hung out with us?”
Melody sneers at Payton. “Bullshit!”
Payton chuckles. “Yeah, you don’t remember because you were so drunk that you blacked out on the way back to Northport where Mace ditched you.”
“Who gives a fuck ’bout that lowlife bastard? I gotta deal with this nasty tramp! She’s the reason Trent’s giving me the cold shoulder. We’re still together, you bitch!” She flashes her teeth at me.
Payton’s eyes squint. “You sure ’bout that? She’s here with Mace. Considering what you already pulled with Darla, you think I’m gonna let you lay a finger on Mace’s woman?” Melody’s face pales. “Trent’s done with you, so better get lost before I make you, bitch!”
Melody gets into Payton’s face. Payton pushes her back hard and blows a loud whistle with her fingers. The guys spin around, catching the commotion as Melody rushes Payton.
“Shit!” Jax spits out as he flies forward first. He scoops Violet up and places her on the stage with the band. A bright grin covers her face as she sidles up to Trent and uses his microphone to sing back up. She blends in as though she’s been up there all night. Gavin smiles down from the stage, shaking his head in amusement. Mace warned this was a rough crowd, but I wasn’t expecting such physical aggression from a female.
Mace and Cal shoot past me as I take another large step backwards. Someone snags my arm and pulls me a safe distance away from the shoving patrons, pushing to see the “chick” fight. The man in the slick suit commands, “Stay back with me, Audrey.”
I’m too busy watching the guys pull apart Payton and Melody to glance in his direction. Jax is quick on his feet, running interference from the rowdy horde closing around the girls. Cal rips Melody from Payton and throws her over his shoulder. She pounds on his back while he bulldozes through the crowd to the back exit. Mace checks Payton by placing his hands on the sides of her face. He speaks to her, and she nods at whatever he’s saying. He seems to mouth a ‘thank you’ to her and kisses her forehead.
Anton chuckles beside me, amused by my friends’ actions. I’m enamored with the crews’ close friendships. Mace gives Payton a supportive kiss on her head, making sure she’s okay after the physical altercation.
“Audrey, I haven’t had the pleasure of seeing you around before. I’m Anton, and I know all of Mace’s friends. I didn’t catch your last name?” Anton asks in a suave voice, seizing my attention by staring in my eyes.
He is the first person in the South to ask me my last name. The crew considers me a Wakefield. My Aster background has never come up unless I speak of it. Anton wants to know who I am and that doesn’t sit right. He knows I’m here with Mace who tried shielding me from him earlier. What is going on with Mace and this Anton guy?
Anton asks, “Shall I buy you a drink while your friends are otherwise engaged?” I glance down, frozen in my place. Anton never let go of his grip on my arm. He’s not hurting me, yet I don’t want him touching me. His motives seem less than honest here.
“Let go of her arm.” I dart my eyes up when Mace’s low and serious voice comes out like a growl. Mace props his hands out, ready for a fight. “Don’t touch what’s not yours. Just so you know … this isn’t a warning.”
Smirking, Anton slowly drags the back of his fingers up my arm. “I’m always up for … renegotiations.” Did Anton just put me on the table for negotiations? What the hell? I freeze into a solid pillar, having no idea what to do.
“I’m not.” Mace’s narrowed eyes remain on Anton. “Princess,” Mace says, tilting his head to the side, asking me to move behind him. Mace plants his hand on my back and guides me a safe distance away from Anton. I gasp when Mace dives forward and punches Anton in the face quicker than I could’ve imagined possible. Anton stumbles back, covering his face with his hand.
“Disappear now, Anton, or I’m yanking our deal off the table,” Mace states, pointing towards the front of the club. “We both know that’s a courtesy to begin with. I always take care of what’s mine. I come to you. That’s how our deal works, and now you’re fuckin’ with me. If I happen to see you on my turf again, you’re out fifty by September. That fifty falls on your head, not mine.”
Anton tips his head in Mace’s direction. He slips into the crowd and disappears without making eye contact with me again. Mace asks, “You okay, Princess?” His brows buckle deep as he plants his hands on my waist. “Did he threaten you to get to me?”
My eyes b
ounce wide open. “No. He wanted to know my last name, which I wouldn’t disclose to someone as creepy as him.” Anton was quick to mess with me. His prolonged grasp was to fuck with Mace. He knows I belong to him. A gnawing, like a rat chewing on my spinal cord, settles deep. Parts of the truth usually surfaces. This just feels like bullet casings dropping around me in a heavy downpour. My brain screams again to run while I still can. Not all is well in Mace Carter’s world. He cocks his head, scanning the crowd. When he’s satisfied Anton has left, his eyes land back to me. I ask him in a timid voice, “Are you okay?”
Mace’s head falls back with a gruff laugh. “Not something I’m usually asked after I lay the ground rules, Princess.” Mace kisses me full on the lips and doesn’t hold back one bit. “I’m fuckin’ peachy! I’ve wanted to deck that slimy bastard for a while now, and you gave me the opportunity. How ’bout I buy you a drink?”
“And what about Melody?”
“She won’t bother you again. She’s on my shit list, so she’ll be scarce.”
Cal makes his way from the back of the crowd with a beaming smirk on his lips and cash in his hands. “Your lucky day, Doc! Never thought I’d see her pay her dues for damaging Darla. Guess she thought she was pressing her luck by going after Goof, not knowing who she was.” Cal drops a stack of cash into Mace’s hands. He holds up what turns out to be hundreds of dollars, checking them out in the light.
Mace pats Cal on his shoulder, saying, “A celebration’s in order. Shots on me, you grab the crew.” Cal moves forward in the crowd, gathering up Payton. Jax retrieves Violet from the stage by giving her a piggyback ride. We land at the bar where a beefy man gives Mace a firm shoulder pat.
“Longtime, brother.” The handsome dark-haired bartender looks my way and lines up a couple of shots with a bottle of Jack Daniels. He gives me a smile worthy of his overflowing tip jar. “This your new bird Ford was talking ’bout? I’ve seen everything now.” I glance at Mace with a satisfied smile. Mace is not one to have a woman on his arm, at least not here.
“Yeah, we’re showing Princess here a good time.” Mace drops a hundred on the counter. “We’re gonna need more shot glasses.”
“Brother, your money’s no good. You ran interference tonight. Looks like I owe you again. How many?”
“Thanks, Sawyer. Six and keep ’em coming. I’m talking long and hard into the night.”
“No doubt.” Sawyer flicks his eyes towards me and grins wide as he lines up more shot glasses.
“If I’m doing shots, the liquor better be Patron!” Payton speaks up, letting Sawyer know.
“Doll, where you been? Is Candace here tonight?” Sawyer scopes out the bar for Payton’s sister.
“Now, Sawyer, you know Candace is a good girl, right? In fact, she’s a saint. Someday she’s gonna marry that new doctor boyfriend of hers. Do you think she needs you around to muck it up?”
“Aww, fuck!” Sawyer replies, pouring a shot for himself. “Really, no interest?”
“Sorry, Sawyer.” Payton pats him on the hand. “You can show off your Southern hospitality by grabbing salt and limes for our Yankee friend here.” Payton places her arm around me. “You ever do tequila shots, Baby Girl?” I shake my head no, and her smile widens. “Let’s cross off my bucket list item!” Sawyer laughs and passes her a tray full of limes slices, small saltshakers, and a bottle of Patron.
Mace pours himself a shot of Jack while Payton pours the rest of us tequila. Mace shakes his head at her, and she rolls her eyes.
“You two gave her moonshine. It’s only proper we also show her how to do tequila the right way. See, Jax and Violet are with me.”
Jax gives Violet long, sloppy kisses on her neck. He sprinkles salt while she giggles. He dives in, taking his time licking her neck. He finally downs his shot while Violet holds up a lime for him.
“Damn right!” Jax holds up his refill for a toast. “To Audrey’s first tattoo she was gracious enough to let me ink.”
Payton chimes in, “To Audrey’s first bar fight she was gracious enough to let me handle!” We giggle.
“How about Audrey’s first live band with me as a backup singer!” Violet says, lifting her shot.
“To Audrey’s first body shot!” Cal bursts out laughing. “Uh-oh, body shots are on the bucket list now. You gotta follow through!”
Mace shouts from behind me, “Cal, you bastard!” Cal gives him a challenging gaze.
Payton pleads, “Yeah, Baby Girl, you gotta!” Mace’s gaze turns to a glare.
“You want me to lick Mace’s neck and sprinkle salt on him?” I ask, shifting my eyes to him, confirming my suspicions of how unamused he is by the prospects. Mace shakes his head at his friends, trying to keep a straight face.
“Oh no, you follow my lead.” Payton smirks at the two guys. Cal knocks back his shot and refills, not waiting for us. Payton eyes me with a playful smile, adding a bite to her lip to mask her excitement.
Jax coughs a laugh. “Hot damn!”
“Show me what to do,” I respond, ready for another crazy adventure.
Payton yells out, “Body shots! Line them up, boys.” Violet squeals from beside us, bouncing on her toes. Payton and Violet have drawn the attention of the nearby crowd. I’m wondering what I got myself into when fifty excited patrons rush to catch the show. “Sawyer, are the goods still up for grabs?”
“Always.” Sawyer winks, lining up a bunch of shots. “Let the games begin!” The crowd jostles close while hooting and clapping.
Mace moves from behind me, sitting on the recently vacated bar stool next to me. Jax holds a lime in his mouth for Violet while she licks his neck and takes her shot back. She goes for the lime. He drops the slice when he sweeps her to the side, giving her a romantic kiss. The loud crowd cheers for their fanciful interlude as she jumps up and down with her hands raised up.
Payton says, “Cal, I still owe you. Let’s show them how body shots are really done.” Using his stool, she climbs up on the bar, and wraps her long, tanned legs around him and loudly slaps his ass.
“Damn, woman, you for real?” Cal asks her with glazed eyes and a drunken smile.
“Matters how well you can put on a show, country boy.” Payton grins at Cal, teasing him as she sinks her fingers into his rear end. “Mace is holding back, and we both know it. What a damn shame that he’s not even drinking tequila. What do you say?” she asks, conspiring with Cal as the crowd encourages them on.
Payton places a shot between her breasts and pulls Cal toward her, licking his neck, and adding salt. She sucks the shot between her lips while throwing her head back, allowing the drink to slide down her throat. Cal holds the lime with his mouth, and she sucks the wedge in a seductive way. The crowd goes wild for her sexy antics. Payton and Cal raise their arms up, garnering more cheers.
Payton tosses out a threat with a raspy whisper, “Make this good, Mace, or we’ll be here all night showing this woman every possible body shot I can think of. You know how naughty I can get. I won’t hesitate, and Audrey desperately needs a good time.” Mace squints at Cal who motions his hands in Payton’s direction. She arches her brow at Mace who shakes his head in disbelief. Ready to play her game, Mace snaps on a wry smile. He stands up from his stool and lifts me up on the bar like Payton and Cal had done.
“Oh, we’ll fuckin’ play.” Mace brings my body to the edge and whispers in my ear, “Lean back, Princess.” He directs me to lean on my elbows, holding my body at a slight angle. Mace dips his fingers into my jean shorts, pulling the material down low, and keeping his fingers in place.
Mace bends forward and licks my exposed skin up to my belly button. He adds salt and pushes the provocative boundaries, slipping the shot glass in between my legs on the bar. Wearing a devilish smile, Payton pops a lime into my mouth. Mace drags his tongue down slow, takes the shot glass into his mouth, and slams the empty glass on the counter. He pulls me forward from a jerk of his hand, and his fingers brush against my sex. His
other hand goes behind my neck and brings my lips to his after ripping the lime from my mouth. He throws the slice over his shoulder and kisses me deep. He sweeps my body into his as I wrap my legs around him. He lifts me off the bar while still kissing me.
Swinging back from him, I’m breathless. His eyes are smoldering and looking directly into mine. Mace declares in his rough and hardy voice, “That’s the only way I’ll ever consume tequila.” The crowd chants his name as I slide down his body. My tingling lips part, swollen from his passionate kiss.