Saving Uma

Arthur is due back tomorrow, which means I'll be able to take a few days off from tending to the business, something I avoid doing.

Mostly because down time meant alone time with my thoughts.

This time, however, I don't plan to be alone. I want to take Grace out again, though over the past two weeks I have shown up to the bar every other day and asked for her personally, and become accustomed to walking her back to the hotel every night after her shift.

We have been seen in public on more than one occasion, which is both a risk, and the beginning of setting a trap. If there really is someone after me, watching me, then they will have to have seen Grace and I by now.

If they want to target her, I want to make sure I'm there when they're lured out. Which is why I started walking her home every night, and showing up at the pub more frequently.

That, and I can't deny the pull I have to her. I can't go a day without wanting to see her, and it's no longer just due to the concern for her safety. It's a need now.

I promised myself not to fall for her, but it's been getting harder with each passing day. The more I hear about her, learn her quirks and unique traits, the deeper I fall.

Her smile touches my cold heart and sets it on fire.

Her laugh lifts my soul and makes it feel lighter.

She is my Heaven on Earth. I don't deserve her. She is an angel, never meant for a demon like me. How she ended up here, in my arms, if I so choose, I will probably spend the rest of my cursed life figuring out.

For now, I want to enjoy the moment.

Every good thing must come to an end.

Taking things slow with Grace has helped feel like our time together is lasting longer, making me want to stretch out this game we've made up going as long as my will can handle.

The more time I spend around her, especially in that barista dress she and Scarlet are forced to wear, thanks to Arthur and is weird ways of getting off. I never thought of Scarlet as looking like anything other than your typical server, who tries a little too hard by tying her dress in the back to make it appear tighter and higher.

Grace looks both sexy and adorable, which I didn't think was a possible combination. I can never keep my eyes off her, not even now as she makes her way through the pub, a drink tray in her hand. I haven't told her I've arrived yet, it being Saturday, a rather busy night for the pub.

Arthur is also due back any time today or tomorrow, depending on weather and travel he said. Everything seems to have gone well in London, saying he was able to sort it all out, and will explain more to me when he gets back.

I have a lot to discuss with him as well. We have suffered two attacks by the Italians since he has left, both in the same fucking day. I can bet the next time they strike; it isn't going to be small. They've already stolen a whole shipment of very valuable products, and a lot of the auto parts we use for false packaging. Those parts aren't easy or cheap to obtain.

I'm also wondering how long it's going to take until he hears about Grace, and starts questioning me about it.

My uncle has never cared about the girls I mess around with, or even date, but he has always drawn the line at his employees. I gave him the Gala, though it's still owned under my name, but I said he could do with it as he pleases. That meant hire who he wanted, and set whatever rules he thought appropriate.

One of those rules; is no dating or fucking the employees, more importantly the servers and baristas. It wasn't always a rule, since Scarlet and I used to fool around a bit, and that's exactly why it became a rule.

She started to become too attached, and I tried calling things off. This caused her to mope around at work, slack at her job and easily become angry and frustrated with customers for a while. It became a real problem for Arthur, and even more so when Michael went and did the same thing to the girl who worked there before Grace, and ended up getting her pregnant.

It's the reason she left, since Michael tried talking her into getting an abortion, and said it was an accident and he already has a kid to raise, not wanting another. She threw a fit, broke a few mugs in the pub, and then the rule was put in place.

Though I haven't broken the rule by sleeping with Grace, it has become quite obvious by now to others, that we are dating.

Is that what we're doing?

Maybe after tonight.

"The usual, I'm guessing? A bottle of whiskey and your side piece?" Scarlet sneers, strutting pass to empty her tray and probably tell Grace I'm here.

I know she has been acting out to get my attention, purely due to jealousy, of course. I've been trying to ignore it the past couple weeks, but I haven't thought much about how she might be acting towards Grace when I'm not here.

She would never act out physically or say anything disrespectful towards me, she fears me and the gang too much. But she has no reason to fear Grace, or so she thinks. I haven't claimed her as anything, or even said publicly that we're dating.

She doesn't know how much I care about this 'side piece', and how much I don't care about her.

Before she has the chance to talk away, I grab her wrist and yank her back towards me roughly, not caring how harsh I'm being. No one talks out against those I care about, most importantly, never about Grace.

I pull her down until her ear is at my lips and whisper, "you have never been anything more than a body that warmed my bed for a short time. You once provided me with the distraction I sought, and I'll forever be grateful for that."

I yank on her arm again, dragging her down further and causing her to yelp in pain.

"But if you ever speak ill to me about Grace, say anything bad to her face, or think of laying a finger on her, I will make your life such a living hell; you'll be grateful when I end your life after it all."

I hear her gulp, her body trembling.

"Do you understand?"

She nods her head, biting her lip so hard I think she might draw blood. I release her wrist roughly and push her away, not wanting to look at her anymore.

"Oh, tell Grace I'm here, " I call out before she disappears.

It takes Grace so long to appear, I almost think Scarlet just ran off, until she pushed her way through the crowd, a timid smile on her face.

I'm on my feet and cupping her face before I know it, looking it over for any sign of distress.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

She removes my hands from her face and takes a seat, placing the bottle of whiskey I always ask for on the table and two glasses. "I saw what happened with Scarlet, and the way she looked afterwards. She is pretty upset. What did you say to her?" she asks, her eyes wide and curious.

I was pretty rough with Scarlet, my anger getting the best of me, as always. I have no doubt she will have a bruise on her wrist, in the form of my hand, come tomorrow morning. I never feel guilt, at least not anymore, but the way Grace looked at me just now, makes my chest feel tight.

"She said something disrespectful about you, I just told her never to speak like that again. Scarlet is sensitive, despite working in such an environment, and I guess I just have a way of intimidating people, " I say, trying to lighten her mood.

By the way she furrows her brows together, it doesn't seem too.

I put my drink down, a little harder than necessary, to get her attention again.

"I want to take you somewhere this evening, before it gets too cold out, " I say, leaning back in the seat to fetch my cigarette case from my jacket pocket, looking everywhere but at her. For some reason, I can't meet her eyes, or the ball in my chest tightens.

"Do I get a say in whether I want to go or not?" she asks, her tone a little harsh.

I can tell that whatever state Scarlet was in when she got Grace, it's really bothering her. But I know, no matter how I explain it, it probably isn't going to make her feel or understand any better.

At the same time, even if she does decide to come out with me tonight, it won't be a pleasant night until this is settled.

"Grace, I got angry with her because she has been acting out all week, throwing dirt on your name to my face. I couldn't take it any longer tonight, when she called you my side piece, alright? I'm an angry man, you should know that by now, and sometimes I can't always hold my temper. I'm not going to apologize for that."

Her eyes widen a bit, and she looks down biting her lip. Suddenly, she shakes her head and looks back up, smiling at me.

"I don't want you to apologize for it, it's one of the many things I like about you. I know I can always rely on you to be there for me, I suppose, even when it come to mean girls, " she snickers, her posture relaxing.

"So, will you come out with me tonight?" I ask.