(Y/n) sighed dreamily, as she leant on the bar top. The thoughts of the night before, of the charming and handsome man that had saved her from an awful fate, still filling her mind.

She and Luca had spoken into the small hours, (Y/n) telling her dark haired hero all about herself, and how she had come to be living in a place like Small Heath; how she had come to be working at the Garrison. And he in turn had told her all about New York. About places like the Bronx and Queens, about Staten Island, and Lady Liberty that looked down from her lofty perch, welcoming the poor and huddled masses, as the ships arrived at the port. The barmaid deciding that one day, she would very much like to see the city and all its boroughs if she were to get the chance; but that until then, she would make do with Small Heath. And if Luca stayed there too, then it would make it all the better.

"And what's got you all dreamy today?" Harry asked, as he came to her side. (Y/n) sighing softly, before just smiling as she looked at the older man.

"I just...........I just got out of the right side of bed.........." (Y/n) replied with a soft chuckle.

"Right side of the bed..........? Well, right or left, it obviously worked. I've never seen ya smile so much............." The barman continued, as he joined her leaning on the bar.

In truth, she wanted to tell the former owner of the Garrison all about what had happened the night before. About the man that Arthur had thrown out, having followed her and then threatened her. About being saved by the tall, slender, handsome Italian American; but she and Luca had spoken about it. She had agreed that given the fact that the odious man was already dead, there was little point in telling the Shelby brothers about it. That they could do nothing as Luca had already taken care of the problem. That, and given the fact that the Birmingham boys were known to currently be having problems with some Italians, he didn't want who and what he was, to cause her trouble. He didn't want her to lose her job, or to fall out with the Shelby boys, just because they had met one another. Because fate had brought them together. (Y/n) having no desire to question or argue with that reasoning. Just looking forward to the idea that she would once more be able to see Luca, when her shift at the pub was over with.

"I smile all the time.........its part of the job. Smile, flash a little cleavage; do your best not to slap rude customers, and serve drinks. It isn't a difficult job description. And even though I admit that I struggle with the 'not slapping rude customers' part sometimes, the rest of it is easy.............." (Y/n) countered, she and Harry pushing themselves off the bar, as Arthur, John and some of the other boys made their way into the pub. The barmaid smiling, as John came to the bar; the younger Shelby smiling broadly at her, as he took off his cap and pushed it into his jacket pocket.

"Hello, beautiful. How about some drinks for me and the boys............?"

                                                         >>----------------------------------<<

Compared to the night before, the evening had been subdued. Admittedly, there were still enough customers; John and Arthur had been joined by their brother Finn, cousin Michael and their friend Isaiah. The group causing enough noise for twenty people, though that was nothing new: the boys keeping her just as busy as always. But now she had got the chance to collect some of the dirty glasses, expertly dodging the ever wandering hands of John, so that she could now clean them and get them back on the shelves.

"(Y/n)........." A voice suddenly came. The barmaid smiling, as Harry came to her side.

"You know that bloke that Arthur threw outta here last night.......the one that was gettin a bit gobby.....................?"

"Um.............yeah................"

"Well, I just heard that they found him this morning; dead as a doornail, not far from where you live.............."

"What.............?" (Y/n) queried. Doing her best to looked shocked, as if this was all news to her.

"Aye.........the bobbies found him with the side of his head missin.............."

"Was...........was it one of the boys that did it............?"

"John said not; but the police'll probably blame em for it. Arthur said that it was probably some fuckin Italian that did it though.................." Harry explained, quickly grabbing (Y/n), as her knees suddenly buckled beneath her.

"Darlin, are ya......................"

"I'm........I'm fine, Harry. Sorry, its just the thought of that awful man being found near where I live. I'll be ok now.............." The barmaid interrupted, as she did her best to smile and assure the older man that it was nothing.

Of course, she knew that her attacker would be found sooner or later, and she hated the idea of the Shelbys, of any of the boys being blamed for what Luca had done for her; but she was glad the police weren't looking for him either. The thought of him being arrested, of possibly being hung for killing that man, made her feel sick to her stomach; made her want to cry. (Y/n) hating the notion of anything happening to Luca, after what he had done for her.

"Are ya sure? Ya look as pale as milk............why don't you get yourself home? I'll be fine..................."

"No, no........really, I'm fine. I wouldn't want to leave you in the lurch........" She quickly countered. (Y/n) knowing that Luca had promised to be waiting for her when she finished. That he had promised to take her home and stay with her again. That they could talk about anything she liked. Harry nodding reluctantly, as he took the glass from her hand.

"Fine; but why don't ya go and sit down for a minute............." The barman continued, before ushering her round to the other side of the bar; grabbing a chair and helping her to sit down.