Page 19 of Bidding on the Orc Outcast (Sweet Monster Treats)

CHAPTER NINETEEN

P osy was arranging a display of vintage earrings when the bell chimed. Her heart skipped a beat as Varek ducked through the doorway, carrying coffee and a paper bag that smelled of fresh-baked muffins.

His expression was distant, almost puzzled, as he set everything on the counter.

“Maybe I was wrong about some things.”

“Oh?” She picked up her coffee, inhaling the rich aroma. “What kind of things?”

“The town. How they see me.” He rubbed the back of his neck, looking oddly abashed. “Grondar and Elara were…nice.”

“Why wouldn’t they be? Didn’t I say people care about you?”

His deep laugh rumbled through the shop as he caught her around the waist. “Yes, you did. You’re annoyingly perceptive.”

“Annoyingly?” She pressed closer, tilting her face up.

“Mmm.” He bent down and captured her lips in a slow, deep kiss that made her toes curl. His tusks grazed her cheek as he pulled back slightly. “In the best possible way.”

She wound her arms around his neck, ready to kiss him again, but his body suddenly tensed. His head snapped toward the back of the shop.

“What’s wrong?”

“I heard something.” His eyes narrowed as he tilted his head. “A cry. From behind the building.”

She hurried after him as he strode through the back door of her shop. The morning air bit at her exposed skin, but the chill wasn’t what made her freeze.

Sebastian had Nina pinned against the brick wall. The girl’s face was white with terror, her thin coat hanging off one shoulder.

A deep growl rumbled from Varek’s chest. “Let. Her. Go.”

Sebastian’s lips curved into that same cruel smirk he’d worn the other night.

“Well, if it isn’t the town monster.” He tightened his grip on Nina’s arm. “What are you going to do about it?”

Her heart hammered against her ribs. The memory of Varek’s pain when he’d told her about his past clashed with the rage she could see building in him. She wanted to step between them, to stop this before it escalated, but her feet wouldn’t move.

Sebastian pulled Nina against him and she whimpered, the sound cutting through the tension like a knife.

“Come on, big guy.” Sebastian’s voice dripped with mockery. “Show us what you’re really like. Show your little slut exactly what kind of monster you are.”

Varek moved so fast she barely saw him cross the space. One moment Sebastian held Nina, the next he dangled from Varek’s grip, feet scraping the ground as Varek pinned him against the brick wall.

Her heart leaped into her throat. Not from fear of Varek, but fear for him. The last time he’d tried to help someone, the town had turned against him.

Heavy boots crunched on gravel, and the sheriff appeared at the end of the alley, his expression unreadable. Her stomach dropped.

Sebastian’s face twisted into an ugly sneer.

“He attacked me! Just like last time. I told you all he was dangerous-”

“That true, Varek?” Eric asked, his voice completely neutral.

She opened her mouth to defend him, to explain what really happened, but the words caught in her throat. This wasn’t her story to tell. She glanced over at Nina huddling against the wall, arms wrapped around herself.

The silence stretched, broken only by Sebastian’s labored breathing as he dangled from Varek’s grip.

Her heart clenched as she watched Varek’s jaw work. His eyes darkened, and she saw the weight of the past pressing down on those broad shoulders. He started to lower Sebastian to the ground, defeat etched in every line of his face.

Then his spine straightened. “No. That’s not what happened.” His deep voice rumbled through the alley. “Sebastian had her cornered. I pulled him away before he could hurt her.”

Pride swelled in her chest, and she stepped forward, her chin lifted.

“I saw everything, Sheriff. Sebastian was threatening my employee. Varek protected her.”

Sebastian’s face flushed an ugly red. “You’re lying. She’s just covering for him because-”

“Because what?” Her voice crackled with anger. “Because I saw exactly what happened? Because I won’t let you twist the truth like you did before?”

She moved closer to Varek, her shoulder brushing his arm. She reached up and placed her hand on his forearm, the one still holding Sebastian against the wall. His muscles tensed under her touch, but he didn’t pull away.

“I was there, Sheriff. Varek didn’t hurt him. He just stopped Sebastian from hurting someone else.”

Sebastian’s lip curled as he glared at her.

“She’s clearly prejudiced. Look at her, hanging all over him.” His voice dripped with disdain. “You can’t trust anything she says.”

Her fingers tightened on Varek’s arm, rage building in her chest at Sebastian’s smug expression. Before she could respond, a small voice spoke up behind her.

“He’s lying.” Nina stepped forward, wrapping her thin arms around herself. Her face was still white, but her voice was steady. “Sebastian grabbed me, but Varek protected me. He didn’t hurt anyone.”

The sheriff’s keen gaze shifted between them all, settling on Sebastian’s reddening face. “All right, that’s enough. Put him down, Varek. Sebastian, you’re coming with me.”

Varek hesitated for a fraction of a second, then released Sebastian.

“This is ridiculous.” Sebastian tried to jerk away as the sheriff took his arm. “You can’t seriously believe-”

“I said that’s enough.” The sheriff’s voice hardened as he steered Sebastian toward the street. “We’re going to have a talk about harassment.”

Sebastian’s protests echoed off the brick walls as the sheriff led him away. She released a shaky breath, her heart still pounding from the confrontation. She kept her hand on Varek’s arm, feeling the tension slowly drain from his muscles.

He turned to her, his eyes wide with disbelief. Her heart ached at his expression - a mixture of wonder and confusion, as if he couldn’t quite process what had happened.

She flashed him a triumphant smile. “See? I told you people would stand up for you if you gave them a chance.”

Giving him a minute to think about it, she turned to Nina. The other woman was still hugging herself, but the color had returned to her face.

“Are you okay?” she asked gently.

Nine nodded, straightening her shoulders, and flashed her a sweet smile.

“Yes, thank you. And thank you, Varek. I don’t know if Sebastian would have done all the things he threatened, but…” Nina shuddered.

“You’re welcome,” Varek said quietly, but his deep voice still sounded stunned.

She fished her keys from her pocket and tossed them over to Nina.

“Can you take care of the shop? I’ll be down in a few minutes.”

Without waiting for a response, she grabbed Varek’s hand and tugged him towards the stairs leading to her apartment. He followed without resistance, though she could sense his bewilderment.

Her pulse quickened at the feel of his solid presence behind her as they climbed the steps. She needed to talk to him about what just happened, to make sure he understood what it meant. The sheriff had listened. Her assistant had spoken up. Things were different than he believed.