Hammer's words spun in my head more than I cared to admit. And the man himself was constantly there, at every place I turned with a suggestive quip ready on his tongue. To be honest, I was glad I wasn't sleeping at home, because the women that left in the morning were less than....quiet. Viper always grumbled about it, Ringer always complained to me about it, and Hammer just bragged.

I don't understand how fucking a lot was meant to be attractive. The man was probably a hive for bees of disease. That did not stop women from coming into the pub or parlour constantly, to get their own glimpse and hopefully a ride on the Herculean man.

Right now was one of those times.

"Heya girlfriend" Said a woman I had never talked to before, leaning over and giving me a good eyeful of her cleavage. Lovely. "Wanna help a girl out and get the number of your friend over there?"

"No. Get it yourself" This might be considered rude, but the constant flirting and using happened too often for me to care anymore. This was titty woman number thirty seven in two days. She brushed a hand through her hair and pouted. "I know he wants a piece of you, but can't you share?"

I rolled my eyes and looked to the ceiling, exhaling slowly. "I said no. Get it. Your fucking. Self"

The woman spat on the bar and turned to leave, before my hand was on her arm and bringing her back with a hard pull. I pointed to the spit glob and raised a brow.

"Clean it"

The woman tried to wrench herself free, but that only tightened my grip. "Fuck you bitch." Why did people always go to those insults? There are other things to insult people with. She could have insulted my crooked nose, big lips or piercings, but she chose the cliche.

She deserved no mercy. I pounced over the bar and grabbed her nape, pushing her face onto the serving bar in one swift movement. A startled cry shocked the people who weren't already watching, and they all tuned in. As well as a certain green eyed guy behind me.

"I said, fucking clean it. Don't spit in here if you aren't going to clean it up- better yet don't spit just because you're too horny to function as a polite human being"

The woman shook under my palms, already crying. I rolled my eyes and let her go, telling Ringer to get her out of the pub.

"I have the biggest boner right now"

Again, what a romantic. I ignored Hammer and carried on pouring drinks for the patrons. Most of Viper's men were here tonight, others were back at home and watching over the place. I was on pub duty tonight since one of the part timers couldn't make it. And then someone else backed out- guess who was the only other person with bar tending experience?

You was right.

I turned quickly, going to get some spirits, when my feet slid out from under me. I braced myself for the fall, when a pair of steel arms circled around me, pulling my back upright. I opened my eyes and found a concerned looking Hammer.

"You alright?"

The door slammed at the entrance. "She's fine" An angry voice ground out, silencing everyone in the room in a second. I would know that voice anywhere. I jerked myself out of Hammer's arms and vaulted the bar, sprinting to my man.

His eyes turned soft as he held out his arms, dressed head to toe in leather and those gooey amber eyes waiting for me. I jumped and wrapped myself around him like a koala, smacking my lips to his in a hot kiss that turned long and languid, longing in every sweep of tongue, want in every gasp.

"Excuse me, but I want to hug mama bear" Seamus said, raising a brow at a kiss dazed Ripper. I untangled myself from Ripper but leaned in close to his stubble covered jaw. "I missed you so much baby. I love you" I kissed him on the cheek again and he wrapped an arm around my waist, barely letting me go when I turned to Seamus.

Seamus had a black eye and a split lip, but was okay. I hugged him hard and pecked his head, turning back to the silent pub. "Ya'll continue drinking. I've got to catch up with my boys"

Ripper crept his hands around me from behind and settled his face in my throat, inhaling deeply. It felt right. And it felt really good.

"The rest of the guys went to Hugh or went back to their homes. I couldn't shake your prospect off"

Seamus bared his teeth and folded his arms. "You can't take her away from me just because she's your old lady. She's my mama bear"

"And she is right here" I pulled myself out of Ripper's grip, nodding to the Snake Sinners in the pub who were watching Ripper like he was something to be feared and admired at the same time. Like customers looking at a tiger in a zoo. Then they found my unimpressed face and went back to their drinks.

"Sorry Ripper, but your girl has to get back to work" Hammer's voice was suddenly close, and I found him near my side. Seamus was in front of me in an instant, face cold and frosty like the biker boy he was. It was like an angel was looking at you distastefully since he was so pretty.

Ripper's grip grew tight and he ground out a reply. "Fuck off Hammer, she deserves a rest"

Hammer went to open his mouth again when another voice- thankfully- chimed in. "How's my favourite pretty lady?" Slater called, strutting into the pub and winking at me. I rolled my eyes. "Your work staff are so unreliable. Do you know how many times I've had to man the bar the weeks you've been gone? Every. fucking. night"

Slater's face shut into business mode and he tutted. "Guess who's getting fired" Then he looked to my right and saw Hammer, an unreadable expression on his face.

"Hello little brother" He murmured.

Oh, okay. Plot twist. I turned between both of them and saw the similarities immediately. How did I not see it before? The constant suggestive quips were more than enough of a clue.

Hammer raised a thick brow. "Get fucked Slater"

Slater scoffed, looking at all the women in the bar. "Oh I intend to."

Lovely. He took no more notice of his brother and skipped off to a group of women who had been giving Ripper- and now him, the eye. I grabbed his arm, and jerked an eyebrow towards the now empty bar.

"Sort that first, then have some happy fun time"

Slater gave me a puppy dog look and I sighed. "Fine. FINE. I'll do it, but you better give me an extra two weeks paid leave when I do use it"

He waved a hand. "Sure thing honey bee. I'll see you tomorrow" He left with a wink and I struggled not to cry for some free time. For me. And my boys.

"I can help" Ripper said, turning me around so I was facing him. I shook my head and leaned on his chest for a moment, insanely happy that he was just here. "Nah, you relax. Come up to the bar and I'll get you guys something to drink"

All three of them followed me and sat on a stool, Ripper reluctantly letting me go. This pub better clear out soon or a bitch was gonna be beaten. Ripper was back and I just wanted to go home and be with him. Seamus came behind the bar and waved me off.

"Go back to Ripper's place Cor. I've got this here" He gave me a rare full smile and a kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you later." Hammer gave Seamus a look before moving his gaze after he noticed my scowl.

I grinned and gave him a hug, grabbing Ripper's hand and walking out of the pub, shouting a goodbye to Ringer and all the others.

_

Too many things were playing on my mind to just jump in bed- even though I really wanted to. Things and questions wouldn't be solved by sex.

I sat on Ripper's sofa and watched him make coffee, following the lean lines of his body as he moved. He was slightly stiff, but still moving as smoothly as he used to.

"Ripper, we need to talk"

He turned to me and paused, jaw tightening. "Did Hammer say something?"

I ran a hand through my hair and laid back on the sofa. "He has said something, but this was long overdue." The seat next to me filled and Ripper's arms came around me, gentle and warm. "We can talk later"

But now was the time. I pulled out of his arms and gave him a hard look. "You and I both know we have things to clear up. I just want to know more about you- know more about your past so it doesn't feel like you know everything about me and I don't know anything about you"

Ripper's brows furrowed, face darkening. "You know enough about me- you know the me right now"

I threw my hands up, "Is it so bad to want to know your past? Even if you have done things- I won't judge you, I may need time to understand and come to terms with things- but I won't leave you"

Ripper frowned and turned away, folding his arms over his chest. "You don't need to know"

Really? I shook my head and stood up, pulling away from the hand that went to grab me. "I want to move forward Ripper. And even though I love you- I'm not happy with just knowing the you now. " I placed a hand on my chest and fought my tears. "I've never loved anyone the way I do you and I want to love you fully, love every aspect of you instead of just the facets I see now"

Ripper stared unflinchingly, amber eyes now a dark gold. He just sat there and watched.

"So, I'm sorry if me wanting to love you more is just too much for you" My heart wrenched and I blinked away my tears, striding to the door.

A voice broke the silence just as I opened the door.

"My father beat me every day for ten years before I killed him"

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