Chapter 1
I sat down next to a platinum blonde woman at Bobby's Cellar's bar. The only two stools available were next to her. So, what the hell, why not? "What can I get you Tony?" Bobby asked, giving the woman a shot of vodka.
"Strawberry sundae." I replied.
"I wouldn't have guessed." Bobby sarcastically rolled his eyes went to the other end of the bar.
The woman and I sat in silence until I asked what drink she was having.
She grunted looking at me with a bit of shock that I was talking to her. Her look then changed to one of confusion as if she missed the question completely.
"What drink are you having?" I repeated gently. Hoping to make it known that I only wanted a conversation. Let's face it you don't find just any woman in Bobby's Cellar. Either they are prostitutes or not here, so the fact that she, a woman that had two firearms at her hips hidden behind the long red leather trench coat, and knee high combat boots, that I would be surprised if they didn't have hidden knives in, was here. She was a mercenary and a good one from the demeanor around her.
"Oh, vodka…" She replied with a slight chuckle and shake of her head to herself. Looking back at her glass her thoughts seemed to fill her eyes with frustration and the flicker of wanting a decent distraction. I figured I could give that to her, as curious as I am about her.
"Hard drinker?" I asked gently, leaving the option for no reply. After all, I am in no mood to have a drink thrown in my face right now. Not with my sundae coming.
"When I do go to a bar, yes." She looked up slightly. There seemed to be a smirk there but it was still too hard to tell from the hair covering half of her face.
"What's that mean?" I pressed. Now she had me curious. What the hell is with the short answers?
"I don't usually go to bars. But when I do I do drink hard." The shot of vodka disappeared down into her mouth within a second. She brought the double shot glass down softly on the bar.
"Ah." I nodded my head. There didn't seem to be much else I could say without trying to pry too deep. With how she took that shot there was no way I was willing to pry hard. No fights tonight, hopefully.
Bobby came back, gave me my strawberry sundae, refilled the woman's shot glass without a word, and went to help some other people.
"And right now, the harder the better." She muttered softly.
"Why?" I looked at her with a bite of sundae in my mouth, leaving the spoon there for effect, hoping to get a laugh.
The chuckle that came meant my efforts were well placed and welcome. She sighed, "Some men can't take a hint. The president was here this week. I was bodyguarding for him. It isn't the first time but every time he tries to get me to sleep with him. Last time it took some strong convincing to get him to stop."
"Strong convincing?" I almost dared not to ask.
She snerked and sighed, "I put a gun to his head. I wouldn't shoot but still. He quit. That's all that matters." Then opened her mouth to say more but stopped herself. Then looked back at the drink and took it down faster than the last.
"Oh…" I paused, I thought about asking what else she was gonna say but decided against it. "By the way, I'm Tony."
"Mercedes." The woman next to me with snowy silver hair replied. Damn and I was sure she was a platinum blonde.
Wait. Hold up. Mercedes? No way. "The new mercenary?"
Another chuckle escaped her lips. "If you call a few months new, then yes. And you're the top mercenary in town."
"So you've heard of me." I gave a smile.
She did too, then longingly looked into her glass. Bobby came by and filled her up again. "My agent keeps me informed of the word on the street."
I wonder the relationship that her and her agent have, the way she acts they seem to be more than close. "Then you know that they say that you're supposed to be as good as me."
A slight nod of her head happened. "Yes. But there's no way of telling. We haven't compared."
"It's also said that you've taken on more than 50 men with minimal wounds."
She laughed a short laugh. "More like 40."
"Still that's pretty good." I came back with. If she was that good she would definitely give me a run for my money at least. I had an advantage though, heh.
Mercedes finished her drink. "Hey Bobby, another please." She called out.
"Coming up." Bobby called back. Just then a man by the name of Steve came up and leaned against the bar beside Mercedes. Well shit, this isn't gonna end well. Let's watch.
"Hey there." He said in a tone that made it obvious that he was hitting on her.
"Beat it." She growled deeply. Anyone could tell she wanted nothing to do with the alcohol confident man.
"Hey now, that's no way to greet someone." He stumbled over his words like a toddler over their own feet. Wow, I'd love to know his thoughts right about now, I thought trying not to roll my eyes. Though, I probably failed.
A look of pure death came from her eyes to him. "You're hitting on me. I'm not interested. So scram, pal."
Unfortunately, liquid courage does not grant the brain power to realize you have poked the lioness one too many times. "Now come on, give me a chance." Came out of Steve's mouth.
That seemed to have broke Mercedes last nerve. She was about to pull her gun but I spoke. "Beat it Steve."
Steve glared at me but left. Bobby gave Mercedes her drink. "Thanks."
"I see what you mean by men don't take a hint. I'm sorry." I said sympathetically.
"Why? It's not your problem." She seemed to hide her surprise behind a scoff. Was it that weird for someone not to step in when you are ready to use extreme measures to get rid of a small fly on your back?
"Still, it must be annoying." I admitted, after all I don't have the same problem.
Mercedes looked at the clock. It was 12. She sighed. "I better go. Brandon's gonna lecture me for drinking again." She started shifting getting ready to get up. A wallet appeared in her hand after rustling with her jacket.
"Maybe we could get together some time." I popped the idea out in hopes that she might want to hang at a later point. Seems interesting enough, but crazy enough to be a friend maybe.
"Yeah, it was nice talking to you." She produced a card out of her wallet. It was a business card. Professionally done. Mercedes Mercenary Service. "My office is on the corner of Main street and 3rd."
"'Kay, I'll stop by sometime." I nodded and slipped the card into my own wallet, doing my best to hide my smile.
"Just tell Brandon we've met before. He might be reluctant but he should come get me." She laughed slightly at a thought. "I don't keep too much company so he might not want to believe you."
"Alright." I nodded. Is she just that busy? Or does she do other things?
"Yo, Bobby!" Mercedes called out.
"Yes?" He turned his head from his glass he was shining.
Opening her wallet, she asked."How much do I owe you?"
"$15.30" The quick reply took me by surprise.
She laid down a 20 dollar bill on the bar. "Keep the change." And left before Bobby could thank her.
A brown haired man sat down next to me. "Who's the girl, Tony?"
"Mercedes." I replied, still kinda in shock.
"The new mercenary?" He said after ordering his usual beer.
"Yes, Grue." I shook my head to get out of the fog in my head.
"Jessica knows her." Grue took a large swig of the amber ale that was put in front of him ass soon as it came.
"Really?" I felt my eyes go wide. Well, my interest in her is known now.
"Yeah. They met at Sherri's Café. They meet every Friday after Jessica gets out of school. She helps Jessica with her homework. I'm sure they talk about more things. I've yet to meet her, so I don't know how to feel about Jessica meeting with her." He nodded gently taking another swig of the drink. The fact he doesn't seem to mind Jessica hanging with her and not even meeting her says a lot. Grue's girls were everything to him.
"She's nice. Has a problem with guys hitting on her and is frustrated with that. It was obvious when Steve came over." I told him the truth of what I knew of the mysterious and beautiful woman.
"Steve doesn't know when to quit." Grue said solemnly.
"True, true." I nodded my agreement.
We looked at each other, paused, then laughed hysterically.