Page 14 of Maddox

I threw one punch after another, tossing them to the bar’s scuffed floor like matchsticks.

Fueled by anger and alcohol, they kept coming, believing they could best me.

What morons.

When all three were down, I took a deep breath and returned to my drink, grateful to see Jeff had refilled my bourbon.

He was grinning then simply nodded as he’d done before, allowing me to know the fight wasn’t finished.

I threw out my arm, catching Tommy by the throat. By the time I turned around, I’d lifted him off the floor by several inches. With my fingers digging into his skin, he was already sputtering.

Another deep breath was meant to clear my mind, only I realized I was angry with them. Why the fuck were they so stupid? “I said. You need to leave. If you don’t, I’ll break your wrist first then your neck. Or you can walk out of here and forget this ever happened. Up to you boys.” I took my time staring one then the other in the eye as I took Tommy’s hand into mine.

I knew all the techniques, easily able to break a wrist or neck with a simple twist. I caused the fucker enough pain he howled.

“What’s it going to be?” I challenged.

“Let’s get out of here,” Wayne huffed, his tone full of fear.

“You should listen to your boy,” I told Tommy, grinning from ear to ear.

Tommy wanted to take another swing. I felt it, but at least the drunken haze didn’t make him stupid enough to try. He managed to nod.

When I let him down, I cocked my head, giving him the go-ahead-and-fuck-with-me look. Fortunately for him and his buddies, he simply gave me the middle finger and led the other two from the bar.

Jeff laughed. “You are one tough asshole.”

“I’ll pay for any damages.”

“Who are you kidding? That’s the most entertainment I’ve had in weeks. Drinks are on the house.”

I chuckled and sat down on the barstool.

At least shit had gone quiet. Maybe now I could enjoy my fucking afternoon.

CHAPTER 5

Maddox

My gut told me I was wrong.

Less than two minutes later, another voice sounded from behind me, the man’s amused laugh yanking at my breath.

Someone else had been inside the bar watching the floorshow. The sound of his boots hitting the cheap wooden floor issued enough of a warning I almost reached for my weapon.

Sadly, shooting customers wasn’t taken kindly in a town with a population of barely five thousand. A location where everyone knew everyone. At least that’s the way it seemed.

Jeff shot the newcomer a look and shifted to a full standing position, immediately walking away. As the person approached, I didn’t bother checking to see who it was, preferring to take a long pull on my beer.

“You’re a long way from Baltimore,” I said and threw back the rest of the Jack.

“I never could sneak up on you.” As the man slid onto the barstool next to me, I shook my head. “You’re still a target.”

“You mean the three stooges? They’re nothing.”

“So I gathered.”

It had been a long time since I’d heard my commander’s voice.

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