The man had white hair and a nice smile, but something in his expression told me that he was afraid. Our intention was not to get anyone's attention and I intended to stick to the plan.
- No, I just learned to defend myself against these ignorant men who live in taverns. - I explained by shrugging my shoulders.
- Well, whoever taught it did it well. - he said in a tone of satisfaction. - Gaius is an outsider who arrived not long ago with a group of mercenaries. The others don't create problems, but Gaius is different from them and he keeps getting ready with the girls of the village. I believe after tonight he'll think twice before messing with any other girl.
I let out a laugh and I nodded.
- What are you doing in a place like this?
- I arrived today in the company of a friend and got lost from him. - I explained. - The owner of the inn where we stayed said that he would wait for me here, but I don't see him anywhere. Can you tell if he really was here?
You put your hands on your chin and nodded.
- What's your friend like?
- He's this tall, dark hair, blue eyes, and he was wearing black.
- Yes! The warrior who danced with Olivia. - he said in a lively voice.
- Olivia? Who's Olivia?
- She's the village chief's niece. - he answered. - He shouldn't have gone up with her, because that girl's not a flower you can smell.
I frowned.
- Where'd they go up?
- They went to one of the rooms upstairs. - he said and approached smiling. - Olivia was quite drowned, I don't think they'll be leaving there anytime soon. If you wish to wait for your friend, the drink will be on the house.
My blood boiled the moment he explained the situation. That bastard was having fun while I was worried about him.
- You don't have to! - I said harshly. - May I have a plate of broth and a bottle of Bourbon, please? I'll take everything to the inn.
- Yes, ma'am!
The man nodded and went into the kitchen. I sighed, leaning my elbows on the counter. I couldn't believe Alec invited me to a dinner in the tavern just to humiliate me. It's okay that we had a facade wedding, but inviting a woman to dinner while she was with another was an absurd situation to swallow. I wanted to kill him for doing that to me. Just now that I had agreed to be her friend, that asshole decides to get something like this ready. I sighed with a face. I'd go back to the inn, eat something and drink myself to sleep. I'll leave as soon as dawn, with or without Alec. I sincerely hoped that he would not show up, because with the hatred which I had, I would kill Moose in the most painful way possible.
I frowned when I heard a noise coming from upstairs. It was a hollow noise, as if something very heavy had fallen to the ground. The noise in the tavern was deafening, so I looked at the wooden ceiling and concentrated. I was trying to listen again, but I didn't succeed.
- Must have been a printout. - I whispered on my shoulders.
- You're lucky your friend was quick or you'd be here all night waiting for him. - you said, coming back from the kitchen and putting my order on the counter.
- What do you mean by that?
- That's Olivia. - he said pointing at a short, voluptuous blonde. - Why is she crying? Wouldn't your friend hurt Olivia?
The blonde was rushing down the stairs. She looked pretty scared and was hurrying towards the exit. I found her conduit odd. Alec could be an idiot, but he would never hurt a woman no matter how bad she could be, even if he was under the influence of alcohol.
- Something's wrong! - I said before I walked towards the girl.
I intercepted her before she reached the door and held her by one arm.
- Where's the man you took to the room?
The girl's eyes widened, trying to get rid of herself.
- Let go of me! - she said before she tried to get past me again.
- Just tell me where he is? - I commanded in a cold voice.
- Who do you think you are to touch me? - she threatened. - Do you happen to know who I am?
I hated being threatened, especially by someone like Olivia. Without patience, I pulled the dagger under her sleeves and grabbed her throat hitting her back of the head against the wall.
- No, I don't know, and I don't care who you are! - he said in a threatening way as he held the tip of the dagger against his throat. - The only thing I care about is my husband, whom you took into a room.
Olivia widened her eyes, grabbing my wrist.
- I'm so sorry! - she said in a desperate voice. - I swear they didn't tell me he was married.
- They who?
- Some men who paid me to take him to one of the rooms. - she explained between tears. - They said it was just to convince him to come up and leave him there. I thought you were friends making a joke out of him, but before I left...
She took a break from sniffing.
- Tell me what happened
