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Over my dead body.Time to ruin his plans.

The two guys hang for another moment, then leave. I close their tab and go back to River. “That asshole over there has plans that involve you. You’re not leaving here alone. Sit tight. I’m getting backup.”

“What?” River looks up from her phone and glances at the jerk behind me. “What do you mean?”

“His friends left, and he said he was staying because he has plans, and then he looked at you. I got a bad feeling about it.”

She’s fidgeting with a napkin, twisting it, her fingers shake. She looks nervous, which is not something I’m used to seeing on her.

“Wait. I’ll be right back.” I walk to the other end of the bar and to my locals. “See that guy? Can you keep an eye on him for me? Make sure he stays away from my friend?”

“We got this.” One of the locals vouches for the three of them.

“I can walk out with her. I’ll say I need a smoke.” He grabs a pack of cigarettes from his shirt pocket and puts it on the bar top.

For once, I’m glad for the unhealthy habit. “Sounds good to me. Thanks, guys.”

I walk to the back, and I can hear them engaging the asshole in conversation. I smile. They’re distracting him for me. I find Gus in his small office. He’s going over paperwork.

“Hey, Gus, I’m gonna need you up front for a minute.”

He looks up. He knows I only come after him when there’s a problem. He gets up and towers over me. I had Gus in mind when I described River’s fake boyfriend. “What’s up?”

“This one guy has been making eyes at my friend all night. Now his friends left, and he stayed to wait her out. I think he’s up to no good.”

If there’s one thing Gus hates more than dealing with customers, it is slimy guys who prey on women.

“What’s the plan?”

“I’ll get her to leave, and you make sure he stays inside until she drives away.”

“Okay. You talk to her. I’ll wait a minute and then come out, so it doesn’t look like you came to get me, and he doesn’t decide you’re the next best thing.”

“And that’s why you’re the boss. You’re smart like that.” I play-punch him in the bicep. His arms are bigger than my legs.

I go back to River. “Okay, here’s the plan. You get ready to leave, and when you do, Gus will stop the jerk from following you, and one of my locals will walk out with you. Put your phone on speaker and call me when you’re safely away.”

“What about you?” She reaches out to me, but the bar top is too wide for her to touch me.

“I’m fine. I have Gus and my local guys. Plus, he’s not interested in me.”

Gus comes out then, and Moe pays attention. It might be cold enough for polar bears outside, but Gus always wears a cutoff bar T-shirt, and the tattoos on his neck, arms and hands can’t be ignored. Especially on a guy his size.

River gets money to pay for her drink and food. “Don’t worry about it. I ate half of the fries, and we don’t even have hot chocolate on the menu.”

She gets up and grabs her jacket from the back of her chair. Jerk Face pays attention. He throws some money on the bar. Gus takes the money, looks up his tab and starts making change real slow. My local guy announces he needs a cigarette.

Everything is playing out like a finely orchestrated choreography.

The jerk gets up. “Hurry up, man.”

“No, no. I want to make sure I got your change right.” Gus gives him a vicious smile that could put sharks to shame.

I grab a rag and clean the counter. Rivers walk out with my local. Jerk Face goes after them. I look at Gus and catch him leaping over the counter and chairs with an agility I’d never imagine possible for a guy his size. I swear the ground shakes when he lands.

He maneuvers himself around Moe and blocks the door and puts his hands up. “You forgot your change.”

“Forget it, man.” Jerk Face tries to go around Gus.