Whispers of a Broken Halo by Abbi Glines

“She’s not fucking interested. How many times does she need to say it?” Rio’s voice sounded on edge.

“Who the fuck asked you?” The guy stood up, shoving the table a little and making his drink slosh over the top.

“Sit down, Jude,” one of the others at the table said.

“She’s just a waitress, man. Stop being an ass,” another said.

Rio’s hand slid to my waist, and his grip firmly tightened, as if he were afraid I was going to be taken at any moment. I started to tell him to let go when his gaze moved to meet mine, and the words got stuck in my throat. It was seven years ago all over again, and Rio was protecting me. The same look in his eyes daring anyone to say another word about me.

“Angel,” Saint’s voice called out, and although I knew he wasn’t happy with the situation, I couldn’t seem to stop this.

“Let’s go,” Rio said.

“Hey, man, where are you taking her? We need more food,” one of the guys at the table said.

I heard them, but my body was currently wanting to obey Rio. I was unable to do anything but stand here and consider leaving with him. When my head knew good and well that couldn’t happen. This job had been our salvation. Rio hadn’t been.

“Take your hand off her.” Saint’s commanding voice snapped my moment of insanity, and I blinked, remembering who I was and what the hell I was doing.

Rio didn’t move his hand, but I stepped away from him.

“I’m sorry,” I said to Saint.

Trix was there then, and she began taking the table’s order.

“Go to the back until I come get you,” Saint said to me, but his eyes were locked on Rio’s.

“I’m f-f-fine,” I said, not wanting to leave the two of them standing there in some sort of face-off.

“Hey, man, think it’s time we move on. Other places to be,” Drake said as he approached us.

I was relieved to see the rest of his party was also on their feet and headed this way.

Rio kept his gaze locked on me. I tried to look away, but he was making it impossible.

“Bryn,” he said my name. Just my name.

But the way he’d said it sounded like he meant more. I knew he didn’t, and if I was being honest with myself, I knew Rio March enough to know this had to do with his conscience. Not me. He felt guilty that I worked topless. Maybe deep down, I wanted him to.

The truth was, it was my sister’s actions that had set this in motion. Yes, he had fired me, but it had been six months, and I had blamed him in the beginning. I didn’t anymore. This situation was one that Tory’s actions had caused. Not his. I wasn’t going to pretend otherwise.

“I think your f-f-friend has the b-b-best idea. Good-bye, Rio,” I said through the strange lump that had suddenly formed in my throat.

I guessed old habits died hard, and Rio was definitely an old habit for me. At least, feeling something where he was concerned was an old habit.

I didn’t wait to see what he would say or do. I had to get distance from him before I did something stupid, like walk out on a job that had given me the first real security in my life.

“Don’t,” I heard Saint’s warning, and I winced.

Although I wanted to turn around, I didn’t. I kept walking toward the back door leading to the offices. Saint was right. I needed to get out of sight until this was over. I didn’t stop until I was in Saint’s office, wrapped back up in his jacket. Then, I stood there and stared at the wall. Remembering a time when I had thought life would be different.

I wasn’t sure how long I had been standing there, lost in my memories, when the door behind me opened. I turned to see Saint walk inside. He paused, and his eyes studied his jacket that I was wearing, then he sighed.

“Who is he?” Saint asked me.

“I told you earlier, I’ve known him a long time, and once, we were friends. Then, I did something that made him hate me. We haven’t talked in six months,” I replied.

Saint didn’t walk any farther into the room. He remained just inside the door. We stood there in silence for several minutes. I didn’t know if I was supposed to say more or if he was deciding on what I would do next.

“He doesn’t hate you, and I doubt you’ve ever done anything to someone to make them hate you. You’re too damn sweet,” Saint said as he came inside and went to sit on the edge of his desk, then crossed his arms over his chest.

“I didn’t do it, but he thinks I did. I took the blame for my sister. Look, I am sorry. It won’t happen again. There are no other guys out there who will care about my working here.”

Saint let out a low chuckle, but there was no amusement in his eyes. “You can get under a man’s skin, Angel. That naivete normally isn’t my thing, but somehow, you make it work.” He held my gaze, his green eyes flashing something I did not want to acknowledge. “I’ve never heard you stutter. Not once, until tonight. He upset you.”

I said nothing. I didn’t want to admit that at one time, I couldn’t speak without stammering over every word. That was another life. I could control my speech now. Most of the time.

“Things are under control out there, and I think you could use a break. Go on home and get some rest. I’ll see you back here on Saturday,” he said, dropping his arms and standing back up. He said nothing more as he headed for the door.