Page 70 of Something Worth Keeping
This was not how rescue scenarios were supposed to go. Rook had read enough books, he knew about these things. But now, he found himself completely off-balance, which never happened. He was an apex predator. He’d been hunting corruption for nine hundred years. He knew human behavior patterns inside and out.
But he had absolutely no idea what to do with this angry bartender who was criticizing his intervention tactics like a thesis defense.
“I was trying to help,” Rook said, somewhat defensively.
“I understand that. Your intentions were good. Your execution was counterproductive.” Ethan typed something on his phone - probably a message to his coworkers, or maybe filing an incident report. “Next time, ask if help is wanted before assuming it’s needed.”
“He was twice your size and drunk.”
“I’m aware. I have eyes and a functional sense of smell.” Ethan pocketed his phone and finally looked directly at Rook. “I also have theater security on speed dial, six years of de-escalation training, and extensive experience handling intoxicated patrons with boundary issues. What I don’t have is the luxury of responding to every pushy customer with physical threats, because unlike you, I actually have to see these people again and maintain professional relationships.”
Rook knew he should leave. The right thing to do would be to apologize, walk away, and forget the entire interaction.
Instead, he heard himself ask, “You deal with this a lot?”
“Weekly.” Ethan’s mouth twisted. “The theater district attracts a specific clientele. Wealthy, entitled, and used to getting what they want.They think buying expensive tickets and overpriced cocktails means I owe them something beyond competent service.”
“That’s not how transactions work.”
“I know that. You apparently know that. They don’t know that.” Ethan rubbed his temple. “And now Brad - that’s his name, Brad Hutchins, hedge fund manager, season ticket holder, drinks gin and tonics with extra lime - is going to be insufferable next weekend. He’ll either try to ‘protect’ me from you, or he’ll escalate to prove he’s not intimidated, and either way, I’ll have to deal with it while maintaining professional courtesy because my manager’s entire personality is ‘the customer is always right’.”
The sheer precision of that observation made something in Rook’s chest tighten strangely.
This intriguing human had cataloged his harasser’s name, occupation, drink order, and behavioral patterns. He’d analyzed the situation with clinical accuracy while actively being harassed. And now he was explaining social dynamics to a creature who’d spent nine centuries studying human behavior like he was the one who didn’t understand.
It was possibly the most attractive thing Rook had ever witnessed.
“I could come back,” Rook offered. “Next weekend. Make sure Brad behaves.”
Ethan’s eyes narrowed. “That’s the opposite of helpful. That’s escalation.”
“Not if I’m just a customer, having drinks, completely coincidentally.”
“You don’t look like the theater type.”
“I could be. I could develop a sudden passionate interest in” - Rook glancedat the marquee - “experimental modern dance interpretations of Greek tragedy.”
“It’s Shakespeare this month.The Tempest.”
“Even better. Love Shakespeare. Big fan of” - what was inThe Tempestagain? - “storms. And that island situation.”
Ethan stared at him for a long moment. Then, incredibly, his mouth twitched. Not quite a smile, but close.
“You don’t know anything aboutThe Tempest.”
“Not one single thing,” Rook admitted cheerfully. “But I could learn. I’m extremely teachable. I’m also very good at making pushy hedge fund managers reconsider their life choices.”
“By threatening them?”
“By existing near them with aggressive body language. Totally different.”
That got an actual huff of laughter. Small, quickly suppressed, but real.
Ethan shook his head. “This is a terrible idea.”
“Probably,” Rook agreed. “But consider this. I actually understand that ‘serving drinks’ and ‘personal interest’ are different concepts. I will never corner you against walls. And if Brad gets handsy again, I can make him deeply regret his choices without you having to lift a finger.”
“You’re serious.”
