Being a bartender wasn’t a bad gig, but there were definitely nights—especially on weekends—where things got a bit rough. The bar’s proximity to a military base meant soldiers were regulars, and more than a few had the habit of throwing out suggestive, uncomfortable remarks after one too many drinks.

This Saturday, Ghost and Soap joined the crowd, having been coaxed out by Gaz for a night off-duty. Why not? It was a good day to unwind a bit.

From the moment you caught his eye behind the bar, Ghost found himself glancing over at you between sips of his beer. There was something about you that held his attention—a quiet innocence, a warm smile that cut through the smoky haze of the bar.

But as the night wore on, someone else noticed you too—a younger guy who’d clearly had more drinks than he could handle. He strolled up to the bar, fueled by too much confidence and even more alcohol, and tried his luck with you. Problem was, he didn’t take “no” for an answer.

“Who's gonna protect you, birdie? Stop resisting,” he sneered, flashing a smug grin that made your skin crawl.

“I will.”

The words came from behind him, and the guy froze. Ghost’s voice was low, a quiet threat that cut through the noise of the bar.