Captain Swan - Falling for the Bad Boy

Chapter 4

"I'm so sorry I'm late," Ruby apologizes profusely as she scurries across the bar and rounds the counter. "Please don't fire me," she pleads, her words full of panic. "I promise it won't happen again."

Killian arches a brow, thoroughly amused as he watches her haul ass. Is Ruby Red actually worried about losing her job?

This is a first.

Liam looks up from the paperwork in his hands and actually smiles as he waves off her words. "Don't worry about it, Rubes." As he turns around and casually heads into his office...he's fucking whistling.

What the hell?

Killian and Ruby exchange bewildered looks.

This isn't the only time Liam has left them perplexed lately. He's been easy on his staff all week. He's been easy on him.

The question is, what the fuck changed?

There can only be one explanation—something happened between him and Emma. Killian knows this because ever since she left their flat and Liam took her home, he's been acting strange. Like he's been happy and feeling guilty about being happy.

Killian's blood bubbles at the thought, and he's not sure who he should be pissed at more—Emma or Liam.

Ever since Liam dropped her off, he's been very lenient with Killian. He hasn't once yelled at him for leaving his clothes lying around or for leaving dirty dishes in the sink. And at work, he's been cheerful and whistling and not been on his arse every fucking second of the day.

When Killian asked him about it, he evaded the question and changed the subject.

"I think your brother is broken," Ruby remarks.

Killian schools his features so she doesn't notice how irritated he is as he tosses the bar cloth over his shoulder. "Or pussy whipped."

Ruby furrows her brows. "I thought you said him not getting laid wasn't the issue?"

Killian shakes his head. "No, him not getting laid is why he's in such a good mood." And getting the girl who refused to see his brother a second time.

Ruby's even more perplexed, not understanding how being sex-deprived could possibly put Liam in a good mood. "Huh?"

"He met some lass, and she hasn't put out yet. Which, being the hopeless romantic Liam is, he's fine with, but that doesn't mean he's not hoping to get some."

Ruby rolls her eyes and walks away to begin her shift. "Why are men so fucking complicated?"

He laughs at her words but as soon as she's out of earshot, he scowls and groans at the thought of Liam being so nice this entire week over the same woman Killian slept with. "Arsehole."

The thought of Liam and Emma together has him seeing red and sends rage pulsing through him. Just when he thought he found the one, she goes for his fucking brother instead. He was so enchanted by her. He'd thought they'd had a connection, he'd thought the night they shared was special. Not special enough apparently.

He goes back to work, wiping down the bar counter when someone approaches. He looks up, a scowl still cemented on his face. "What can I get—" The words evaporate into midair as soon as he sees her. "Emma?" As happy as he is to see her beautiful face, he's kind of pissed and irritated she showed up to this bar after the stunt she pulled.

She sighs as she sits on the stool, and just as he expected, she looks guilty as all get out. When she sees the look on Killian's face, she cocks her head. "Don't look so happy to see me."