Page 48 of Cider
“It will be in his best interests to leave.” Jack ran his hand over the top of my hair. “Igor may not have a chance at him if he upsets you. Keep your wall up.”
I kissed his cheek. “Thank you. It’ll be okay. I’m pretty sure the idea that the community would come after him for using his powers for evil will be enough to get him out of our rink.”
Glancing at the clock, I clapped my hands together. “Okay. Everybody into the back. I’ve got to get ready.”
They all moved in single file through the little curtain that led to the other part of the store. I started making two original ciders. My fox was vibrating with her nerves but, I, on the other hand, was completely calm.
After all that hair pulling worry, to find out that this guy was a supe of a sort and used his powers to mess with my livelihood, I wasn’t anxious any longer. I was pissed. For once, though, I was going to work on being diplomatic and not just blow up and escalate the issue. Like I had when Lys had first pranked me.
I should have been mature and confronted her. She’d been angry about her cups that she’d lent me in good faith. When she’d come to inquire about them, I’d been in a terrible mood thanks to the ex. I’d taken it out on her and my brother.
This time, I was going to protect what was mine the right way. No chickens involved. I shuddered involuntarily at the memory.
The clock chimed. Closing time. The door opened right after. Had to give it to the guy. He was prompt.
I faced him with the two mugs. With a mental check on my tree wall in my head, I walked around the counter.
“Thanks for coming, Samuel.” I gestured with a hand to the only table not put up for the night. I sat down first, placing the drinks in front of us.
He strode forward confidently, pausing right at the table with a stumble. He corrected himself quickly. If I hadn’t been watching him like he was prey, I’d have missed it. Good. He must have realized he wasn’t going to mess with me anymore.
“I see that deranged young woman you sent after me told you what I can do.” He smoothed his hands down his shirt. He seemed to do that when he was talking, as if it was an old habit he couldn’t kick.
“You’re lucky she didn’t eat you.” I blew on the steam wafting from my mug. “She has a habit of doing that to villains.”
Samuel chuckled, his stomach ponch jiggling a little. It wasn’t a good look on him. My stomach did the same thing but at least I looked good while it did it.
“I highly doubt that.” His hands wrapped around his cup. “Now, why don’t we get down to business? The contract is in my office ready for your signature. Hiding your thoughts now won’t help you get out of this.”
“Yeah, about that.” I leaned back, tilting the chair on its back legs. “I’m not going anywhere. Neither is my shop.”
Samuel moved his head in disappointment. “That’s too bad. This was really the only way that you’d have gotten out of this with some sort of money. Now, I’ll just crush your little shop under my boot.”
I let a little grin slip out as I reinforced my tree's roots. He wasn’t going to see this next part coming.
“On the contrary.” My right leg came up and my boot pushed against the edge of the table as I balanced on the chair. “It’s you that will be crushed. You see, I don’t think you realize what kind of town you’ve come to reside in.”
His brows moved as he frowned. He glanced at my forehead and my lips curled in victory.
“What are you talking about? That you’re a shifter? Sure, there’s more shifters around here than most places, but that has nothing to do with me.” He gripped the edges of his vest, pulling it down tightly twice.
“You really have no clue, do you?” I almost felt sorry for him.
Nah. Not really.
“Silver Springs is a town of supernaturals. Not just shifters, but witches, vampires, trolls, fairies, and man-eating plants that have a deranged personality. How have you been here a few weeks and not noticed?” I sipped my cider, letting it slurp loudly. “What do you think is going to happen when these supes figure out that you’ve sabotaged one of your own? That you can read minds and use it to fuck people over?”
“Who's going to believe you? It’s your word, plus thatthing'sword, against mine. I work for Darcorp Incorporated, one of the top employers in the nation. We’re respected and loved. You, on the other hand, are nothing.”
Wow, this guy had balls, I’d give him that. He’d just insulted me and Igor without blinking an eye. I really didn’t think he knew that Igor would be happy to make him disappear in her stomach.
There was a slight sound from the backroom. I could only imagine it was either Titus or Igor. I would put money on it that the others were keeping them quiet and from coming out here.
Luckily, Samuel was oblivious.
“They’ll believe me because I’m part of this wonderful community. There’s trust here. You wouldn’t know what that meant, even if I took it in a bag of rocks and hit you over the head with it.” I held up my hand when he went to open his mouth. “The point is, we will run you out of town, or you will end up in one of the more violent ones' stomach. I suggest that you leave here, you forget my secret recipe, and go settle in another town. Oh, and don’t use your powers for evil.”
“You are a fool. I will crush you. I will crush your friends. You will beg me by the end to work for me when no one else will hire you. And when that happens, I will graciously give you the lowest job and make you grateful for it.”
