Page 42 of Villainous Kingpin

“It’s okay,” I said. “Come back when you’re done. I’ll be here,” I assured him.

Bas glanced to the bar and then to the two bouncers on the side, giving them a tense nod. “Those men will keep an eye on you. I’ll be back as fast as I can.”

I nodded. “It’s okay, Bas.”

He took my chin between his fingers, and brushed his thumb over my lower lip. “Save me another dance.”

I grinned. “You got it.” I didn’t want to dance with anyone else, just Bas.

Then he and Priest strode through the crowd that parted for them, sensing the danger. I turned around and strode to the bar area, sitting myself on an empty barstool.

In my peripheral, I noticed a man sitting next to me, but I didn’t bother acknowledging him. Through the years, I learned some people take a simple greeting as a sign to advance. I didn’t want anyone’s advances. There was only one man for me and he was seated with Priest behind a large glass window.

He had only left me a few minutes ago and promised he wouldn’t be long.

I shifted on my bar stool and met the bartender's eyes. He wore a white shirt and black vest. It was a different kind of uniform but it kind of worked. It gave it a mobster bar vibe. I had to chuckle at my description.

“What’s so funny, love?” A voice next to me purred, and I shifted away slightly. I could literally feel his hot breath on my neck and I fucking hated it. His light brown hair was ruffled and messy, and his lips curved into a sneering smile.

Choosing to ignore him, I ordered a mineral water. The bartender raised a brow at my choice of drink but said nothing. He saw who seated me here and warned him to give me whatever I wanted. He wouldn’t dare to question Basilio DiLustro’s drink choice.

“Playing hard to get, huh?” The guy next to me continued.

I shot him an icy glare. He was too close for my taste. “I’m not alone.”

Bas might not be here but his bouncers were. Weren’t they?

I threw a quick look over my shoulder but before I could even spot them, the creep’s hand came to my thigh. I shoved it away, disgusted at his touch.

“Excuse me,” I gritted, suddenly feeling on edge. “Keep your hands to yourself.”

He chuckled like I said the funniest thing and I released a breath, sensing agitation simmering underneath my skin. Uncomfortable with the way he was leering at me, I glanced away from him. The man was giving me the creeps.

He reached past me for a toothpick, his arm brushing against me and I shifted even further away. He was giving me serious creep vibes. I readied to stand up and just walk away when his hand grabbed my ass and his stale breath was in my ear.

“You put on that sparkling little dress because you want to get fucked.”

I glared at him and slapped his hand away. “Don’t touch me,” I hissed.

I turned away to get away from him when he gripped my arm and pulled me to him. A woman’s yelp sounded somewhere behind me, but I kept my eyes on the danger in front of me.

“Don’t play hard to get, cunt.” His mouth reeked of stale-cigarette breath. “I’m going to fuck you raw and-”

He never got to finish his sentence because the next sound filling the room was his yelp, followed by an agonizing cry. He released me and stumbled onto the floor. I would have stumbled backwards but a set of strong arms caught me. Bas’ scent immediately registered and I exhaled a breath of relief.

My eyes lifted to his face to find his gaze narrowed on the man. His face was devoid of emotion, and if this was the first face I’d seen when I met him, I would have been scared of this man. He wore an unemotional mask but his eyes burned with so much anger, I feared he’d kill someone.

I followed his eyes to the man and I realized Bas had punched him. I had no idea how I missed it but the man was scrambling back to his feet, the area around his right eye already turning blue.

“You touched my woman,” Bas snarled at him and the other man looked like he was about to shit himself. “She tells you she doesn't want you and then you threaten to fuck her?”

Bas’ voice sent a shiver down my back. I finally saw firsthand the kingpin I read about. This was the version of him that was scary as fuck.

The man shook his head frantically, raising his hands. “I didn’t know she was yours.”

Bas looked at me, then at the man who stood behind me.

“Priest, watch her,” he ordered, then before I even had a chance to blink, Bas wrapped his hand around the other man’s throat and lifted him off the ground. My eyes widened, the whole scene playing in slow motion. The man’s face turned blood red and his whole body shook as he desperately tried to get footing.