“Miller?”
Dad’s voice pulled me from my thoughts and I remembered what kept them caught in my throat.
“Thanks, Dad. I’ll be over there all day tomorrow.”
“Look over some of the guys in the service department. A few of them have potential.”
“All right. I’ll see you tomorrow.
I’d barely hung up the phone when it rang again. My mood already shot to hell, I swiped my finger across the screen, not bothering to look who it was and hit speaker.
“What?”
“Who pissed in your cheerios?” Dean chuckled.
“Dad’s busting my ass about not being at the dealership.” I leaned back in the chair and dropped my head on the back of the seat.
“That’s ’cause your too busy at Rock Bottom making sure no one puts their hands on your woman.”
“That’s bullshit. I can work better here.”
“Maybe you can, but you’ve brushed it off before. But that’s not why I called.”
“What then?’
“I found them.”
My head snapped up and I eyed the door, deciding if I should lock it before we continued. Tess had finally gotten comfortable enough to come in without knocking and although I had nothing to hide from her, I wasn’t sure I wanted her to hear this news just yet. My dad swore that the women we kept by our sides needed to understand what it was we did and while I had no doubt Tess understood that fully, that didn’t mean she needed to know what I’d do to her parents.
“Hold on.” I locked the door and took my seat again. “Tell me.”
“Turns out her stepdad is a plumber in a small town in Ohio. Her mom runs the office and the books.”
“She came all of the way out here from Ohio?” I wanted to slam my hand down on the desk, except it wouldn’t get me anywhere. I’d rather be it her stepdad’s face.
“I want them out of business. I don’t care what it takes. I also want them to know who put them out of business and if they don’t want me to ruin any other part of their lives, they’ll send anything of Tess’s to me and stay the fuck out of her life.” My voice was cold, hard.
“You got it.”
The sounded of shattering glass filtered through the door. Not unusual for a bar, except it wasn’t usually followed by shouting.
“Look I gotta go, there’s something I need to handle.” I hung up and raced from the room when the yelling increased in volume, mainly because one of the voices sounded like Tess’s. I ran straight into Derek, who looked as if he’d been heading toward my office.
“What the hell is going on?”
“Jason sent me to get you. Ray Wasden’s here. He’s drunk and acting like a complete asshole.”
The name alone sent a red haze across my vision, not to mention the fact that he was destroying things in my bar and obviously pissing Tess off.
“What the fuck?” I went to step around Derek when he stopped me.
“He was here a few weeks ago. Tess sent him packing and made me promise not to tell you. She was positive that was the end of it.”
“And you didn’t think to tell me, anyway?”
I went to push past him again, but he continued to block my path.
“She’s afraid you’ll think she can’t take care of herself.” Charlie walked back to join Derek.
“Goddamn it. Of course she can. Doesn’t mean she should fucking have to. Now get the fuck out of my way before I move you.”
I took one step around the two of them when Charlie’s next words stopped me from moving any further. “Jason and Evan were carrying the asshole outside when I came back here.” The air went quiet, the yelling now absent. “Maybe a chat with Ray in the parking lot will get your point across, and keep Tess in your bed?”
Charlie had a point. “Fine, but next time you see it you better step in.” I switched my gaze to Derek. “You hide something like this from me again, it will be your ass on the line.”
Derek’s eyes widened and he nodded once before making a hasty retreat back to the bar. Dealing with the bastard in the parking lot would have to be quick. I’d have to be very careful about keeping things to a minimum. Too many eyes that I didn’t trust.
I glanced around the lot and saw Ray standing next to his car, digging for something in the backseat. I walked up behind him and slammed him, face first, into the side.
“You dumb motherfucker. When are you ever gonna learn,” I snarled in his ear.
“Hawes?” There was a hint of fear in his voice.
His arm was no longer in the cast, but the scent of alcohol permeated my nose. I doubted his reflexes would be fast enough to defend himself against me.
“You are going to stay the fuck away from Tess,” I warned.
When it became obvious he wasn’t getting away from me, he gave up his struggle. “Why does it matter? She was just part of a pot to you. A one-night stand. She’s my world.”
Glancing around, I threw a quick shot to his kidney. He grunted, but my body prevented him from going anywhere. “She’s not your anything. Tess wants nothing do with you. You’re too fucking weak for a woman like her. Now you’re going to start thinking with your big head instead of your little one and stay the hell away, or I’m going to cut the little head off.”
His eyes glanced back, unfocused. “Are you telling me she’s with you?”
“Back the fuck off.”
Ray used his hands to shove at the roof of the car, trying to gain some leverage, but between my strength and his intoxication it wasn’t enough. That didn’t stop him from struggling even more.
“Motherfucker,” he screamed. “She’s mine!”
Pushed beyond reason, I slammed his head forward into the car, the satisfying sound of bone crunching filling the silent lot. He howled, blood dripping everywhere. I stepped back to avoid getting any on me. Wasden sank to the ground.
“Listen here, you little prick. She’s not yours, and never will be again. Let me be very clear here—if you come anywhere near her again it won’t just be me breaking parts of your body. I’ll bring Charlie, Dean, and Brock and we’ll each take a turn beating your ass into the ground. And I can guarantee we’ll break more bones than you can count.”
Wasden’s hands trembled, his eyes wide.
“Do you understand?”
I waited with my arms crossed over my chest.
“Perfectly,” he mumbled.
“Good, now get the hell out of here.”
Leaving the bastard on the ground to clean himself up, I returned to the bar, this time walking through the front door. Tess and I needed to have a little discussion of our own.
A hush settled over the room and she looked up from whatever she was pouring.
“My office. Now.”
Her eyes narrowed dangerously and I noticed her glance over at Derek. She placed the glass in front of the customer, then followed me down the hall. I closed the door behind us and turned to face her.
“Anything you want to tell me?” There was an edge to my voice that I didn’t try to hide.
She shrugged it off. “I handled it.”
I walked over and wrapped my hands around her shoulders. “You shouldn’t have to handle it. I would have dealt with the asshole my way.”
She looked up. Her gaze was soft, trusting. The words danced on the tip of my tongue again. “You can’t fix all my problems.”
“When are you going to understand that your problems are my problems, especially this one. If I hadn’t let the little weasel into the game, he wouldn’t be fucking stalking you.”
“Two visits to a bar does not constitute stalking.” Her eyes shifted to one side and back again. I had a feeling there was something she wasn’t telling me. For one moment I thought about pushing for the answer, but if I’d learned anything about Tess it was that pushing her got me nowhere. I’d drop it for now.
“Until he fucking comes back again and again. What were you going to do then?”
She shrugged. Again.
God, I wanted to shake some sense into her.
“Why the hell does this not bother you?”
She glanced down, inspecting her nails. “Probably because you came in the front door. I’m a pretty smart girl. I’d be willing to bet you had your own little chat with Ray after Derek told you what happened.”
“Okay, then why aren’t you pissed?” I’d been ready to battle and her reaction threw me for a loop.
“Because I don’t feel like dealing with him anymore. He obviously wasn’t going to take no for an answer. What did you tell him anyway?”
I wrapped my arms around her, wanting to feel her against me, just in case she wasn’t happy with what I said.
‘That if he came near you again I’d break enough bones that he wouldn’t be able to count them all.” When she said nothing. I had to check one more time. “You sure you’re not mad?”
“No, I’m not. I should be a little freaked by the threat, but I’m okay with that, too.”
While we were on the subject of being freaked out about things, I had to ask something. Especially if I was planning on changing everything in my life around so I could accommodate a relationship with her in it. “You don’t mind that almost everything I do to make money is illegal?”
She cupped my face and stared deep into my eyes. “No. I know you’ll never hurt me. Whatever you do, it will always be to protect me.”
I swooped in, taking her lips. So many of the women I’d been with wanted to be with Miller Hawes for the thrill of it or the money, so avoiding any kind of relationship had been the easiest way to deal. Tess made herself hard to resist because she didn’t care about any of that shit. All she wanted was someone to care about her.
And that I could do.
Her lips were swollen and red by the time I pulled back from the kiss.
“Good. Now back to work. I’ll see you when you get done.”
I gave her a quick slap on the ass on her way out, loving the feel of it tensing under my hand.
I got back to work, my conversation with Dad coming back to me, but throughout the rest of the day, Tess was never far from my mind.
With her, I was in deeper than I had ever been before. Something about her was absolutely addicting, and I was prepared to do anything in my power to keep her. Those thoughts normally sent me running the other way. Not with Tess.
I’d carve through fire to get to her. And if that meant causing the people who had hurt in the past some pain, so be it.
CHAPTER 22
Theresa
When Derek disappeared I knew exactly where he was going, so it wasn’t a shock when Miller came in the front door. Once he found out, I knew he would have a hard time resisting teaching Ray a lesson.
I wanted to be pissed at Miller. I really tried. Then I thought about having to deal with Ray for however long it took him to get the hint and it became apparent that letting Miller deal with him was the best decision. I was slowly starting to realize that anything that Miller did for me was because he cared, not because he expected something in return. All he seemed to want was my happiness.
When my shift was over, I dropped my apron and towel in the laundry bin in the locker room and went to Miller’s office to say good-night. I had a ton of homework and he still had a bunch of reports to go through so he planned to go home for the night, but said he’d text me if he changed his mind.
After a very delicious good-night kiss I left the bar, walking straight for my car. About halfway there, I realized that something wasn’t right. By the time I reached the car I wanted to hit something—preferably Ray’s face.
All four tires were flat. He was the only asshole who would sink low enough to vandalize my car.
As much as I didn’t want to bother Miller, I also needed to get home. It was an internal war I waged as I sat slumped against the driver’s door. I couldn’t explain why I was still so stuck on doing everything by myself. It was a habit I’d built up over the years; one I was very reluctant to break. Yet each time Miller did something for me I enjoyed the freedom that came with the fact that I could have done it but I didn’t have to.
Decision made, I walked into Miller’s office. Hearing the click of the door his head lifted. Most people knocked, but I hadn’t in a while. There was nothing Miller did that would surprise me. I flopped down in the chair in front of his desk.
“Thought you were heading home to study? Did you change your mind? Anatomy is much more fun with participation.” His eyes wandered down my body and even through my anger I felt the heat of his gaze.
I groaned at the memory of last time I had a test on anatomy. Miller had insisted on helping me. By the end of the night, I’d had so many orgasms I wasn’t sure I would be able to walk to class the next day. That, and he’d kissed and tasted every external body part on my list. I had to clench my legs together thinking about it.
“I wish it was something that much fun.”
That was what made Miller so special. In that moment when I wanted to break something, he was able to make me forget my anger. His presence was calming, which was something I needed.
“That was fun. So what did you forget?”
“Nothing. Some asshole, and I have a pretty good idea which one, slashed all four of my tires.”
He lowered his hands slowly to the table and each word was measured as he asked, “What did you say?”
“I’m pretty sure Ray slashed my tires.”
“I knew I should have beaten the shit out of him earlier.” His voice snapped out like a whip.
“Doubt it would have helped.”
“It would have. Bastard would be in a hospital bed right now instead of fucking with you.”
Miller grabbed the phone off the desk, his fingers moving a mile a minute. His phone beeped a few times before he stood and moved around the desk, pulling me to my feet. “Charlie’s going to look around, see if we can find him.”
“Would you mind leaving early to take me home? I’ll get a tow truck out here to get it tomorrow.”
“Why would you do that?” He led me over to take a seat on the couch.
“The car’s not any good to me with flat tires and the only way to get it fix is to get it towed to a garage.” I knew the answer was ridiculous, but I wasn’t sure I was ready to ask for anything that big from Miller. Maybe the tow truck, but I knew if I asked for that he’d insist on the tires as well.
“Tess . . .”
“Miller . . .”
“The tow truck from the dealership is already on the way.”
I rolled my eyes. “You always have to take control of everything, don’t you?”
“Yes. And tomorrow we can go over to the dealership after you finish class.”
“Miller, I can’t. I have so much to do, and with all this now I’m going to be even further behind. Goddamn Ray!”
Miller pulled away slightly and looked at the ceiling. “Fine. If you’re happy with me choosing your new car without you, I’ll just have it delivered to your place.”
“My new what?” I leapt from the couch like my ass was on fire.
He leaned back, watching me intently. “Your new car.”
I shook my head. “I don’t need a new car, Miller. I only need new tires.”
He stood and stepped in front of me, taking my shoulders in his hands and giving a gentle squeeze. I knew Miller by now, and this meant he was about to say something I wouldn’t like. “Wasden won’t know which car is yours if you have a new one. Besides, you’re not buying it.”
“You aren’t buying me a car,” I said, my voice firm because there was no way Miller was buying me a car. That car was my baby—the first thing I’d bought with my own money. No way. How had things gotten out of control so fast? One minute I was worried he would want to pay for the tires, the next thing I knew, he’s trying to buy a whole new car. I started to pace. It was a nervous habit but if there was a time to be anxious, it was definitely now.
“I own the dealership, remember?”
; “Technically your dad owns it, but that’s not the point. It doesn’t mean you should buy me one. That car means a lot to me. It’s the first thing I ever bought all by myself.”
“Then we can replace the tires, you keep it, and I’ll still buy you a new car. One he won’t recognize.”
“You’re not buying me a new car.”
“Why not? To be honest, you’re lucky I haven’t already replaced yours.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “You wouldn’t.”
“No, but only because I like you sleeping with me and I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t get a blow job out of that one.”
“You’re straying into asshole territory.”
“What because I want you to drive a nice car?”
“It’s not happening. You can take care of the tires at the dealership, but that’s as far as I’m letting this conversation go.”
He stepped up to me and slid his hand into my hair. My head was pulled back and his lips trailed a path down my neck. “I can make it so you’ll agree to anything.”
My chest heaved. “I’d still say no,” I panted, but there was no strength in my words.
“I’ll make you come over and over and over again, until the only thing you can think about is my dick plunging into you.”
His words were like a torch. Flame spread through me. “My answer to the car is still no, but take me back to your place and I’ll scream your name all night.”
He straightened. “I’m willing to bet my tongue can change your mind.”
Lights and computer still on, we left the bar and went straight to Miller’s so he could try and change my mind.
Miller barely had us in the door before my back was slammed up against it, his lips sucking a path down my neck, sending shivers down my spine. His hand slipped under my shirt caressing my breast through the thin fabric of my lace bra.
“Miller,” I moaned.
“Change your mind yet?” He pinched both of my nipples and sucked hard on the skin behind my ear.
“Nope. But don’t stop,” I begged.
He bent at the waist, throwing me over his shoulder and carried me up to his room. He let my body slide down his hard length burning me through our clothing.
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