“What made you move back to Chance?” Billy asked her and then took a sip of wine.
She leaned back and played with the base of her glass. She didn’t like talking about herself. Billy seemed truly interested, and Antonio just put her on edge and made her feel immature and not at his level. That annoyed her for some reason. Usually she ignored people like that, but for some reason she felt compelled to prove something to him and she didn’t even know why.
“I missed my dad, and a good friend of his was having some trouble with his small business. I came back to visit and help out his friend and soon his friend was offering me money to assist him and rebuild his business. I started hanging out with all my old friends and fell back in love with Chance. I decided to stick around.”
“We’re sure glad you did,” Salvatore told her and then kissed her shoulder.
She felt her cheeks warm as she reached for the glass of wine.
“Sounds like you’re a hard worker and have great experience, so why hasn’t anyone hired you yet?” Antonio asked, doing the same thing again. Making her feel like there was something wrong with her.
“Antonio,” Billy said his name and gave him an angry scowl.
She could do this. She could handle his attitude.
“Well, to be honest, I’ve gotten offers but they weren’t right for me.”
“Maybe you’re being too particular. Can’t pay your bills without money,” he said and then stood up from the table. “If you’ll excuse me a moment,” he said and then walked away.
She felt a bit insulted but then Finn snorted and shook his head.
“Don’t take offense to Antonio’s attitude, Missy Ann. He tends not to trust anyone and always thinks someone is after his money or wants something from him,” Finn said to her.
“After his money? Why? Is he wealthy or something?” she asked.
This time Billy and Salvatore chuckled.
“What we failed to explain earlier when my brother was saying we own this restaurant and the marina, is that we also own the strip mall, the new condominium complex going up and the new marina and restaurant going there as well,” Billy told her.
She felt shocked and then looked at Finn and Salvatore who seemed to be waiting for her reaction. In her mind she realized that they brought her here perhaps in hope that their brothers, Antonio and Billy, would feel an attraction to her and be interested in a ménage relationship. Which she wasn’t completely ready for. But then she also realized that Antonio saw her as a gold digger, a woman without a job, any stability, and looking for a free ride. She stood up.
“I need to use the rest room,” she said and Finn, Billy, and Salvatore stood up, too.
“Missy Ann, are you okay?” Billy asked her first. She looked at him and gave a nod. But her thought pattern must have been different than what they expected.
“I didn’t tell you to upset you or make you feel uncomfortable,” Billy said to her.
“I’m fine. I’ll wait in the hallway after I’m finished and you guys can meet me there to take me home.”
Salvatore touched her hand to stop her. “Take you home? Why? We haven’t even had dessert.”
“I’m not feeling well. I appreciate the hospitality. And your restaurant is beautiful. Good luck with your endeavors. Excuse me, please,” she said and eased away from Salvatore and Finn. Salvatore scrunched his eyes at her as he watched her head between the tables and crowded restaurant and past the bar.
* * * *
“God damn it! Freaking Antonio and his damn insecurities. Can’t he tell that Missy Ann isn’t after our money?” Finn exclaimed and plopped back down into his seat. They took their seats as well.
“He’s just on guard. You guys surprised us yesterday when you called and told us about wanting us to meet a woman. She’s young, too, and doesn’t seem to be focused on any career path,” Billy said to him.
“She is focused, but some things happened to her several months ago and she only recently felt safe enough to try to get back to a normal routine,” Salvatore said.
“Salvatore.” Finn stopped him from continuing.
“Finn, I know we said we didn’t want to tell them about her and what she went through, but maybe that was a mistake. If we did then Antonio wouldn’t be being such a prick right now and so distrustful and confrontational,” Salvatore said.
“What do you mean, felt safe enough? What happened to her?” Billy asked. Finn stared at his younger brother.
“She was part of the case we were working on with Tazer, Lynch, Burker, and Parker. The one where Eliza Grace was abducted,” Finn told him.
Billy’s eyes widened.
“Oh shit. She was the friend who was taken and nearly raped? The one used as a decoy to pull the search away from Eliza Grace?” he asked.
Finn squinted his eyes at him.
“How the hell did you know about that?”
“Tazer and Lynch were in here one night with some friends and they mentioned that case and asked about the other woman. I heard some of the details, and that the woman was still recovering.”
“Yeah, well, it was Missy Ann,” Salvatore told him and then he explained what happened. What they walked into and how close they came to being too late.
“Jesus, the poor thing. No wonder she hasn’t accepted any jobs. She probably doesn’t feel safe, especially not having someone around she knows and trusts,” Billy said.
“Exactly. But I’m confident the right job will come along,” Salvatore said.
“Maybe it’s something we could help with,” Billy said.
“What do you mean?” Salvatore asked.
“Well, we’re looking for managers to help get the restaurant and marina next door up and running. The plan is for me to head that project along with Antonio, as he likes to be hands on, and our other main managers run this place. We’ll need a head manager at the new restaurant as well as two assistant managers. We could use someone with the experience Missy Ann described. Plus maybe she would feel more comfortable working alongside me. It would be a great way to get to know her, too.”
“You would do that?” Finn asked him.
“She’s a beautiful young woman, and seems very sweet. I’d like to get to know her better.”
Finn looked at Salvatore. “What about Antonio?” Finn asked.
“He’ll come around. Once he sees she isn’t after the family fortune, he’ll be a positive influence,” Billy said to them.
“She’s nothing like Sophia. Believe me,” Salvatore told him.
Billy nodded. “I’m sure she isn’t. You of all people wouldn’t be taking this chance if she was anything remotely close.”
“Well, let’s run it by her and see,” Salvatore said to him.
“What’s taking her so long anyway?” Finn asked and then stood up, feeling concerned.
“I’m going to go check on her and see if I can convince her to stay a little longer.”
* * * *
Antonio watched Missy Ann as she stood by the railing on the dock. He couldn’t believe he was feeling this way. He liked her. She was sweet, gorgeous with her long straight blonde hair and baby blue eyes. Her conservative attire wasn’t his type at all, but then again what was his type? He thought it had been Sophia. Young, gorgeous, sexy figure and stylish attire all the time. He hadn’t realized her love of designer clothing was the beginning stages of her greed for more and more. It pissed him off that every woman he met he compared to Sophia.
It was obvious that Missy Ann was the complete opposite. He watched her now for a few minutes and was surprised at how jealous he felt as men checked her out. One came over to talk to her. She seemed timid and shy but then she looked panicked as the guy got in her space.
Something struck him. An instinct, an awareness. He pushed away from the bar and approached. He heard what the guy was saying.
“A gorgeous woman like you shouldn’t be standing all alone. Let me buy you a drink, honey. No need to be lonely.”
&nbs
p; “Leave me alone. I’m not interested.”
The guy ran his knuckles down her arm and she pulled back and looked scared.
“Take a hike, asshole, she’s taken,” Antonio told the guy and took position in front of Missy Ann. He reached back with one hand in a protective move and then he felt her hands on his waist and her body press closer to him.
“She yours?” the guy asked as if she were an item.
“Yeah, and so is this place. So get the fuck out of here now,” he said to him and the guy looked him over and seemed like he would continue.
“There a problem over here?” Finn asked. The guy looked at him then back at Antonio.
“No,” he said, sounding pissed off and then walked away.
Antonio locked gazes with Finn.
Something was exchanged between them, and when Finn didn’t immediately come closer to take Missy Ann from his hold he felt as if he was giving him the opportunity to care for her. Antonio was shocked. But he was also too insecure and untrusting to take that lead for a woman he hardly knew.
“Missy Ann, are you okay?” Finn asked and Antonio stepped aside, felt her hands move off of him and Finn pulled her close. He cupped her cheek and she stared up into his eyes. Antonio felt the loss and damned himself for feeling insecure. He could be holding her, getting a feel of that body and a closer scent of her enticing perfume. Just a hint of it wafted over his shoulder as he confronted the guy bothering her.
“I’m fine. I want to go home. Now, please,” she whispered and Finn nodded and then pulled her close.
“We’re heading out. I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” Finn said as Salvatore and Billy joined them.
Missy Ann pulled away from Finn and straightened her shoulders. “Thank you for dinner. Your place is lovely and best of luck with the new construction,” she told Antonio and Billy. Billy smiled.
“You sure you can’t stay for dessert, or maybe to get a tour of the construction?” Antonio asked, surprising himself and obviously her as her eyes widened.
“That’s a great idea. I would love to see how it’s all coming along,” Finn said.
“Great. Let’s head over now,” Billy said and Antonio looked at Salvatore. He gave him a wink and whispered a thank you and they headed toward the dock, taking that route to connect to the new location.
* * * *
Missy Ann didn’t really want to go. She felt a bit uncomfortable after that guy touched her and Antonio, who made it obvious that he didn’t care for her, had to intervene. She couldn’t understand how guys felt like they had the right to touch a woman when she said no.
She walked along the boardwalk with the four very large, dominant men. They were men with personalities she feared and was intimidated by. But Finn and Salvatore showed her sides of them that appealed to her. They were empathetic, compassionate and attuned to her fears and her personality. They had been supportive and encouraging.
“So this is going to be the dance floor area and another large tiki bar. We’re going to expand it on this place because we noticed the one at Connelly’s is a bit crowded,” Billy explained. The guys took in the sight of the special by the bar and she noticed the area off onto the water and gazebo that would be perfect for pictures of special parties.
“What do you think?” Billy asked her, approaching from behind. She stared up into his hazel eyes and tightened a bit from his close proximity.
“It’s beautiful. Are you planning on offering catering for parties and things? That spot would make for some lovely photographs,” she said to him and then looked back out toward the gazebo.
She felt his eyes on her and then his hand against her lower back. She was surprised that she didn’t pull away but instead felt the tingling sensations move along her spine.
“Our plan, if the public seems interested, is definitely to host various events and parties. We’ve had some friends in the area already ask about coordinating some events, but we need to hire a manager, a person who is knowledgeable. Here, come take a closer look at this,” he said and took her hand and led her along the ramp to the gazebo.
He pulled out his cell phone and released her hand once they were inside of the gazebo.
“This should work,” he said, pressing buttons on his phone. A moment later the whole gazebo lit up with little white lights. They extended along the path, down by the boardwalk and toward the dance floor.
“Oh wow, that is so cool,” she said and turned around, absorbing the atmosphere.
“This would be a great setting for a lot of lovely things. You could fit a private table out here too and offer special service for a couple to enjoy a romantic evening. That way it isn’t just for parties or for people to hang out on. I assume you wanted this place to be a little more upscale than what Connelly’s is now?” she asked him.
Billy smiled and leaned back against the gazebo, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
“Exactly. We want to get the most out of these features.”
“Well, with the right planning and packages you can surely do that. Worst scenario if catering parties doesn’t turn out well you could always set up your band and singers around this gazebo. It’s the perfect spot with a view of the whole restaurant and tiki bar area,” she told him as she looked out toward the restaurant. She noticed Antonio was telling Salvatore and Finn something about the side area to the right of the restaurant.
“Missy Ann?” he said her name and she turned toward him. He uncrossed his arms and looked her over.
“What would you do first if you were manager?” he asked her, surprising her.
“I’m not sure. You and Antonio would have to determine your dreams for this place.”
“Dreams?” he asked, squinting at her.
“Sure. How do you see it? What made you decide to expand on your land and incorporate another restaurant with Connelly’s right next door doing exceptionally well.”
He looked toward the others and then back at her. “I think initially Antonio and I wanted to get more people to come here and enjoy the place. We have a great location, it’s right on the water, and waterfront property is difficult to come across. But ultimately Antonio wanted to expand the monopoly. Make more money, and doing the condominium complex meant adding more food places and shopping for the residents. He decided that there was more money to be made and instead of getting in other business or franchise restaurants he wanted to control it all.”
She thought about that a moment and looked at Antonio talking a mile a minute to his brothers about his plans.
“So money is most important to him?” she asked. She stirred a moment the second Billy touched her hand. He held it, playing with her fingers and looking at them then back up at her. He remained leaning against the side of the gazebo. She felt a little uneasy, unsure, and confused. Was she feeling an attraction to Billy, too?
“He’s not a bad man, Missy Ann. He’s been through some stuff. We all have and instead of pondering over the bad things that went wrong and hurt him, he obsesses over money and making an empire. I think it’s to avoid being vulnerable and feeling any pain.”
She swallowed hard as she held his gaze.
“I guess it’s understandable. I can relate to that but not the money or the power. Just recently I started to feel strong enough, determined enough to not let fear rule my every move. I never had a lot of money. My father taught me what was important in life. Love, trust, compassion can’t be bought. I had taken those things for granted until…several months ago.” She looked away.
“How did you cope with it?” he asked, surprising her. Had Salvatore and Finn told him about what happened to her? Why did that upset her? Is that why maybe Antonio was distrustful? Did he think something badly of her? She felt herself tighten up and begin to breathe a little faster. Billy stood up and ran his hand gently up her arm while his other hand landed on her hip.
“Easy. I didn’t mean to upset you. I had no idea about what happened to you. I don’t even know the details, just the gis
t of it. You’re so brave, Missy Ann. I’m sure every day is a struggle but you’re getting better, right?” he asked and she felt herself begin to calm. He was being caring and understanding. She couldn’t fault him for that.
“I’m still coping with it. All of it? It’s a day to day thing,” she said to him.
He smiled. “You’re a beautiful young woman. You’re strong, too, and smart, I can tell. You’ll get better and better, you’ll see, and working, putting your energy into that instead of pondering over what happened should be positive, right?” he asked her.
“That’s the hope,” she said to him.
He pulled back. “Well, how would you like to interview for the manager job we’re offering here at the new place?”
“What?” she asked him, shocked that he would offer her a job.
“I like your line of thinking. I think we could work well together and pool our ideas. Plus you’re young, have a current grasp on market trends and so forth.”
“You don’t need to do this. Don’t feel sorry for me,” she said as Finn and the others approached.
“Oh honey, this is not feeling sorry for you, this is business. You would be great. As a matter of fact, just to prove my good intentions, you can interview like the others are doing. We’ll give you some scenarios and then you basically give us your ideas.”
“What’s going on?” Finn asked, joining them along with Antonio and Salvatore. Being surrounded by the four extra tall large men was intimidating in itself so being put on the spot in front of them was making her sweat.
“I’m offering Missy Ann an opportunity to interview for the managerial job.”
“Really?” Antonio asked. He looked her over and then crossed his arms in front of his chest. His dark eyes and how he stared at her untrusting made her shiver with concern.
“That would be great. Especially as you get to know our brothers better, we’ll feel better knowing you’re safe with them watching over you while we’re at work,” Salvatore said.
“Yes, this would be great if the interview goes well. You should feel extra comfortable working with our brothers who you can fully trust,” Finn added.
Town of Chance: Attacking Innocence [The Dare Series 8] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 4