Free Talon (Rise of the Pride, Book 1) by Theresa Hissong Page B

towered
over everyone. She felt sorry for the girls, but it was obvious
they were a part of his pride, and they’d shown up at a bar with
two human boys who were barely old enough to drink.
    It didn’t take long before Talon pointed to
the door, dismissing the group from the bar. The two girls took off
like their asses were on fire, leaving the two boys behind to get
what was obviously an ass chewing from the local alpha.
    After the boys left, Talon returned to his
barstool, releasing a deep breath before sitting down and picking
up his hamburger.
    “They are not old enough to be in here,” he
stated, taking another bite of his food.
    “The boys just turned twenty-one,” she
retorted. “Were those girls part of your pride?”
    “Yes,” he huffed. “They are only
eighteen.”
    “Well,” she laughed. “You saved me from jail
time and the loss of my liquor license. Thank you.”
    “Anytime,” he said, a smile appeared at the
corner of his mouth. God, she wanted to bite his lip. He did things
to her mind and body just by entering the room.
    Liberty mumbled a quick goodbye and hurried
back to the kitchen. Moe was just setting another order in the
window. “That man get enough grub?” Moe asked, grinning.
    “I think so,” she said, before taking a tray
from the stack to her left.
    She made her rounds, refilling drinks and
picking up some plates that had been left on an empty table. It
wasn’t long before Nova came rushing in, pulling her hair up into a
messy ponytail. She held up a finger, indicating that she’d be back
to take over.
    The heavy sound of a pair of boots coming in
the door had Liberty tensing. When she turned around, Sheriff
Garrett Lynch stood at the entrance, his eyes zeroing in on Talon
sitting at the bar.
    “Hey, Sheriff,” Liberty announced, grabbing a
menu. “Just you tonight?”
    “Yes,” he said with a smile. It didn’t go
unnoticed how his eyes warmed as he looked at her. She’d been
friends with him for years, but that was all she was ever
interested in. The sheriff had other wishes.
    He was just over six feet tall, and well
built. He was older than Liberty by a couple of years, but he
looked to be much older. He wore his uniform with pride and had
helped her family keep an eye on the bar after her father had died.
They’d had to shut down for a few months before the transfer of
title had been completed. She was grateful for all of his help, but
that didn’t mean she would marry him and start having his
babies.
    “I’ll grab you some tea,” she said, placing
the menu on the table. Before she could turn away, a heavy hand
landed on her wrist.
    “Libby,” he growled, low and without
warning.
    Liberty hissed, not from his use of the
nickname she hated, but from the feeling she got from his hand
touching her wrist. The skin on her arm crawled and her stomach
flipped. Snatching it back, she held it to her chest and rubbed it
vigorously.
    “Garrett,” she warned.
    “Is the pride giving you problems?” he
asked snidely, his eyes cutting toward Talon. She didn’t miss the
way he emphasized the word pride, the jerk. When she looked over
her shoulder, Talon had turned around on his barstool. He was
glaring at her and the sheriff. She tried to give him a pleading
look, but his features didn’t change. When his eyes moved to where
she still held her wrist to her chest, his eyes sparked amber and
he started to stand. She shook her head slightly, hoping and
praying he got the hint and didn’t come over to investigate.
    “No, they are not,” she replied. “I’ve
already made an announcement in here once, and I sure as hell don’t
want to have to do it again. They are welcome here and as far as
I’m concerned, this is neutral territory. There will be no problems in my bar.”
    “Good,” he nodded. “Glad you have that under
control.” Even though he said it to appease her, Liberty was sure
he was being a bit sarcastic.
    “Hey, sis,” Nova interrupted. “I’ll take