Shattered by Natalie Baird Read Free Book Online

blinked up. The joint
looked even sorrier next to the staggering perfection that was my
escort. I looked toward the counter and saw two surly sets of eyes
staring back at me. Joe and Ace had taken over my barista duties,
and looked pissed as hell about it.
    “Look who decided to grace us with her
presence,” Joe snarled, coming around the counter toward me.
    “Morning, boss,” I chirped.
    “Where the hell do you think you get off?” he
said, tossing a wary glance Anderson’s way. “You were supposed to
be here six hours ago.”
    “Well gee, Joe,” I said, planting my hands on
my hips, “I would have been in sooner, had I not been sleeping off
a near-fatal attack that was all thanks to you.”
    “What are you talking about?” my boss
demanded.
    “I got jumped last night, after I closed up,”
I said, “Four thugs from the bar across the street cornered me on
the sidewalk and tried to...It was a miracle that I got away.”
    “How is that my fault?” Joe asked
defensively.
    I gaped at him, stunned by his insensitivity.
“You left me here on my own, past midnight,” I clarified.
    “I didn’t set those guys on you,” he said,
“It’s your own damn fault for dressing like such a filthy slut all
the time. Maybe—”
    But Joe’s words were cut off abruptly as
Anderson’s fingers tightened around his windpipe. I gasped as
Anderson wheeled my boss around and slammed him against the wall,
holding him aloft by the throat.
    “Call me crazy,” Anderson said coolly, “But
none of those words sounded like an apology to me.
    “Anderson!” I cried, watching as Joe’s face
turned from red to purple. “I don’t think—”
    “You should be ashamed of yourself,” Anderson
went on, “As an employer, it’s your responsibility to keep your
employees safe. Kaela was viciously attacked last night because of
your incompetence.”
    “Look out!” I cried, as Ace launched himself
at Anderson from behind.
    Without bothering to look, Anderson swung a
round house kick in Ace’s direction and caught the man squarely in
the neck, just under his ear. Ace let out a muffled howl and sunk
onto the floor, he was out cold before his head hit the tiles.
Anderson turned his full attention back to Joe, who was now slunk
down against the wall, cowering with his hands above his face.
    “Now obviously, Kaela wishes to resign from
her post at your dumpy little establishment,” Anderson said, “But
I’m afraid we can’t go anywhere until she gets the apology she
deserves. So, let’s hear it.”
    My boss sprawled out on the dirty ground,
heaving and panting. He glared up at Anderson first, and then at
me. A vengeful glee was burning in my belly, something I’d never
experienced before. I was so unfamiliar with violence and force…I’d
never known the satisfaction of physically besting someone who
deserved to be put in his place.
    “We’re waiting,” Anderson said, his eyes
unmoving from Joe.
    Joe drew a deep breath and set his jaw.
Looking at me with venomous hatred and utter embarrassment, he
said, “Sorry, Kaela.”
    “Sorry for what?” I asked lightly.
    “Sorry...” Joe spat, “That you got yourself
attacked.”
    “Wrong,” Anderson said, cocking back a heavy
boot, “Try again.”
    “Sorry...I was an asshole,” Joe said,
cowering away from Anderson’s kick.
    “Much better,” Anderson said. “Come on Kaela,
let’s get out of here. I can practically smell the hepatitis.”
    As we stepped over the fallen men, a half
dozen astonished eyes followed our progress. I let the door slam
shut behind me and felt as though an iron weight had been lifted
from my shoulders. Joe’s had given me nothing but heartache for
years, and thanks to Anderson, I was finally free. There was only
one problem...
    “Guess I’ll be finding a new job, then,” I
said, trying to remain cheerful. I started walking the few short
blocks to my apartment with Anderson on my heels.
    “About that,” Anderson said, “I have