Already giggling, Sherrie asked, “What’d they buy?”
“Black t-shirts and cargo pants,” Jennifer clipped.
Her forehead wrinkled in confusion, she said, “What’s wrong with that?”
“Because that was all they bought. He told Gabe he wanted to dress like him so he got five black t-shirts and three pairs of cargo pants. He’s going to look like a ten-year-old security agent!”
The ladies giggled again at the idea of a little mini-Gabe running around. “I do have to tell you something,” Jennifer said softly.
Cutting her eyes quickly to her friend, Sherrie asked, “What?”
“We’re buying a house. We’ll move into it in about a month.”
Throwing her arms around her friend, Sherrie exclaimed, “Oh my God, that’s wonderful.” Knowing how much Jennifer wanted to raise her brother in a house with room for a dog had her squeezing Jennifer tightly, while tears hit the back of her eyes.
“So…” Jennifer said, “Tell me about you. What’s new with the CASA case you’re working on.”
Sherrie quickly filled Jennifer in on Betina’s case. Jennifer’s background as a social worker had her on alert instantly with the new information Sherrie was giving her.
“I don’t know what’s going on, Sherrie, but be careful. Trust your instincts. If it doesn’t seem right, then go with that gut feeling.”
Sherrie nodded slowly, her mind going back to the art pad. “I keep getting the feeling that there is something there.”
“Then keep digging.”
By the time their third drinks were placed in front of the girls, they pushed them back simultaneously. “Oh, no. No more. I’ve gotta move or I’ll fall off this stool.”
Jennifer slid off her seat and pulled Sherrie down as well. “Let’s hit the ladies’ room, then hopefully the men will show up soon.”
Sherrie stifled a yawn. “If they’re not here soon, let’s catch a cab home and call it a night.”
Pouting, Jennifer agreed. “And we looked so good, too. Just for them.”
Slightly swaying as she made her way to the bathroom down the hall next to the bar, Sherrie said, “Well then, we’ll just tell them about the men that wanted to buy us drinks so they’ll think twice about missing our dates.”
Finishing their business and touching up their makeup, the two friends walked out of the restroom, arm in arm. Hearing a whimper, they turned toward the sound, seeing a large man with his hand clamped around a woman’s wrist, pulling her through the back exit door.
“You accepted the drinks I sent and you drank them. Seems like I should get some thanks,” he was saying as the door slammed behind them.
Without hesitation, the two women ran to the door pushing it open. The man was several feet away, his hands now on the woman’s shoulders as he pushed her against the brick wall. She was crying and struggling, but to no avail. He had at least six inches and fifty pounds of pure muscle on her. Off to the side was another man, much smaller, with a weaselly look on his face as his hands were unzipping his pants.
Sherrie screamed, “Back off—”
“Get outta here, bitches. This ain’t your business,” the larger man growled.
Jennifer immediately barked, “We’re making it our business,” as she pulled out her cell phone and took a quick picture of the men assaulting the woman.
“Goddamn it,” he shouted as he let go of the still whimpering woman and barked at his friend. “Get her.”
The weasel stalked toward Jennifer as she shoved her phone back into her purse and looked toward the bar door.
“You ain’t getting away with my picture, bitch,” he sneered as he grabbed her arm. She managed to kick him with her stiletto heels in the shin and he bent over howling. While he was hopping around on one foot, she kneed him in the crotch.
“Dammit, you’re worthless,” the large man growled as he left the whimpering woman and reached for Jennifer.
Sherrie whirled, then jumped on the back of the man before he could grab her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and tried to squeeze, realizing too late that she had no idea how to take him down.
As he reached up to her arms, Jennifer ran over and kicked him in the shins also, infuriating him further. Slapping her across the face, he backed up quickly slamming Sherrie in the wall behind him. The impact pounded right through her, but she refused to let go of his neck. He slammed her once again. As he prepared to do it one more time, she knew she could not stand another hit.
Jennifer’s face, filled with rage, came at him from the front with a trash can lid, hitting him in the legs as she aimed for his crotch.
Sherrie squeezed her eyes shut, trying to prepare for the next bone-jarring assault.
*
Tony pushed his way through the crowd, moving toward the bar since Sherrie’s last text said that they were waiting there. Gabe, right beside him, scanned the area not seeing the women at all.
Vinny chuckled. “Looks like they may have given up and gone home. Sucks for you, but the rest of us may have some luck,” he said, his eyes scanning the room at the obviously available women hungrily looking back at him.
The air crackled in the bar as the four men made their way forward. Tall, built, confident—the crowd parted as they shouldered their way through. Making it to the bar, Tony nodded toward the bartender who immediately hustled over.
“You see two beautiful blondes here together?”
“Yeah, man. They attracted a lot of attention; a couple of men sent them drinks but they insisted on keeping their own tab. They waitin’ on you?”
At Gabe’s nod, the bartender glanced around. “They headed to the ladies’ room a while back. Come to think of it, I haven’t seen them since.”
The hair prickled on the back of Tony’s neck as it always did when a mission was not going well. He stalked toward the hall behind the bar, Gabe on his heels. Vinny, in tune as always to not only his twin but his former commander, immediately followed.
Seeing the exit sign over the door beyond the restrooms, Tony slammed through, the sight outside stopping his blood cold. Instantly, the situation was assessed and the men went into action. Like years before on mission, but now? It was personal.
Sherrie suddenly felt a rush of air hit her front as she began to fall, only to be grabbed before hitting the ground. But these arms were gentle. Throwing her eyes open, she tried to escape, but a soft voice whispered in her ear.
“Relax, honey. I’ve got you,” Jobe’s voice soothed.
Breathing heavily, she twisted around to see what was happening. Oh my God. The man who had her pressed against the wall, was now being held up against the wall, Tony’s hand on his throat as the only thing holding him up. The man was gurgling and gasping as the fight was leaving him. Eyes darting to the side, she saw Vinny cradling a crying Jennifer as Gabe was in the process of pummeling the man who had been on his wife.
Shaking, she looked back to Tony who had not let go of her assailant’s neck and screamed, “Stop!” Twisting in Jobe’s arms, she cried, “He’ll kill him and go to jail.”
“Shhh, darlin’. Tony’s got it. He knows what he’s doing.”
Tony’s eyes were black as he easily held the squirming man. “You touched my woman, any woman, without their permission?” he growled.
Heedless of the man’s gasping, he held him firmly with one arm of steel. The only other sound was Gabe’s fist hitting the other man.
Sherrie continued to shake despite the gentle hold Jobe had on her. She was dimly aware of the shushing noise he made but all she could see was Tony’s fury.
“Tony,” she heard Jobe’s voice call out. “See to her.” Instantly the man against the wall crumpled to the ground as Tony’s hand left his throat. Turning quickly, he pulled Sherrie from Jobe’s embrace, his face stone hard but his eyes caramel warm.
“Are you all right? Did he hurt you, baby? You gotta tell me,” he pleaded, not sure he would be able to contain himself if the answer were ‘yes’.<
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With her head pressed tightly against his chest, she could only mumble. He lifted her chin to peer into her eyes, seeing tear streaks down her cheeks.
“No. No, he was going to,” she panted. “Jennifer? Is she—”
“She’s fine. Gabe’s got her,” he said, kissing her hair. His military training taught him to regulate his breathing but nothing was helping now. Heartbeat pounding, he could not seem to let her go.
The police arrived and took the statement of the young woman, still crying with Vinny’s arms around her. Sherrie made her way over to Jennifer throwing her arms around her. Now that the danger had passed what was left was anger and both women now shook with rage.
The woman they rescued made her way over before the police drove her home. Her tear stained face looked up at them as she gave her heartfelt thanks.
“I’m so ashamed. I did accept the drinks they were sending over, but never meant for any of this to happen.”
“No man should ever put his hands on you that you don’t agree go,” Jobe spoke up behind her, his eyes cold and dark.
Sherrie hugged her, but could not help but throw out some advice. “Stick with the buddy system, sweetie,” she said, winking at Jennifer. “It helps.”
The police detective made his way over to the two women. “So according to the young woman, you didn’t know her before and hadn’t noticed her at the bar?”
“No,” Sherrie admitted. “We were just coming out of the bathroom, when we saw him grab her.”
“I didn’t like the way he was kind of pulling her along. You could tell she didn’t want to go,” Jennifer added.
“Did you call for help or try to get the attention of anyone from the bar?” he asked.
Eyes flashing, Sherrie placed her hand on her hip and began tapping her foot. “There wasn’t a whole lot of time to think about what to do, you know? We just ran out here to see what we could do to help.”
“And when you got out here, you found not one but two men assaulting the woman. So you two did what?”
“We…um…” Sherrie’s eyes cut over to Tony standing with his men. Arms crossed over his chest. Legs apart. His stance was…foreboding. And his expression…oh dear.
Jennifer was staring at Gabe and Vinny as well. Their expressions were like Tony’s. Pissed. “We…well, I got my phone out and took his picture—”
“You what?” exploded Gabe, uncrossing his massive arms and placing them on his hips.
“You know? For evidence?” Jennifer stuttered.
“What happened then?” the detective continued.
Sherrie took pity on Jennifer and jumped in to defend her. “The big one holding the woman told the weasel to go after Jennifer.”
“The weasel?”
“Yeah, he looked kind of like a weasel.”
At this point Tony felt as though his head was going to explode. Jobe was now grinning and Vinny was trying to hold on to his anger, although it seemed to be a losing battle. Gabe was still furious and the more the girls talked, the angrier he became.
The detective looked at his partner as he wrote her statement down. “Okay, so what did the weasel do?”
Jennifer continued, “He tried to grab me but I kicked him in the…um…down there,” she whispered. The detective’s pen hovered over his pad as his gaze lifted back to hers.
Vinny, unable to contain his laughter, slapped Gabe on the back. “Your woman just kicked a man in the nuts and you’re pissed.” Walking over to her, he leaned down, kissing the top of her head.
“Don’t encourage her,” Gabe bit out.
The detective wanting to finish the statements turned to Sherrie asking, “And what did you do during this?”
Avoiding Tony’s glare, she answered, “When Mr. Big went after Jennifer I jumped on his back.” Ignoring the growl emanating from him, she continued. “He couldn’t shake me off, so he kept running backward into the wall to try to jar me loose. I held on for two of them, but I was kind of scared that when he did it again, then I wouldn’t be able to hang on.” She smiled then, saying, “But then they showed up and finished them off.” She hoped her smile would lessen the fury on Tony’s face. It didn’t.
The detective snapped his notebook shut, saying, “If you think of anything else, give us a call.” With that, they left, leaving the two girls surrounded by four large men.
“Tony,” Sherrie began. “I jus—”
He threw his hand up, saying, “I don’t want to hear it.”
“But—”
Stalking toward her, he towered over her and growled, “Do you know how stupid it was for you to jump on a man his size? You should have called the police. You should have run into the bar. You should have—”
Stamping her foot in anger, she poked her finger in his chest. “Don’t you dare lecture me! You go out all the time and rescue people. I do it one time and you get pissy.”
Tony looked down at the small finger being shook at him. One snap and that man could have broken her hand. Or knocked her out. Or…
Sherrie, with her arm around Jennifer, continued her rant. “We saw a woman being dragged out of a building and we just acted on instinct.”
Looking up at her husband, Jennifer added, “Kind of like you did when you ran out here and saw us.”
Gabe walked over, pulling Jennifer from Sherrie’s hold. Kissing the top of her head, he sighed. “Babe, not happy. But all I want to do right now is get you home, let you soak in the tub and then hold you all night until my heart stops pounding in fear.”
Smiling up at him, she leaned into him. He turned and headed out of the alley with her tucked under his arm. The rest of the group then heard him say, “And then I’ll spank your ass red.”
Vinny and Jobe chuckled as they headed back into the bar, leaving Tony and Sherrie standing in the alley by themselves. She lifted her face to his, fighting back the tears that threatened to fall. He stepped forward, enveloping her in his embrace once more, pressing her face into his chest. She could hear his heartbeat. Solid. Strong. They said nothing. The anger drained from him as he cradled her to his chest. Several minutes passed in silence as they both drew strength from each other. Together, stronger than apart.
“I’m sorry I scared you,” her small voice said.
His arms tightened. “I’m sorry I yelled,” he admitted. Taking his hand from the back of her head, he slid his fingers to her chin, lifting it up. Peering into her tear filled eyes, remorse struck him. “I am sorry, baby. I’m proud that you jumped in to help someone. I just…I never want to feel that feeling I had when I came through the door and saw that fucker slamming you against a wall. All I could think of was choking the life out of him.”
“I know. I was scared too. We should have called for help, but honestly Tony? The adrenaline took over and we just jumped in.” They were silent again for a moment, then she asked, “Is that what it is for you? When you have a mission?”
“Yes,” he admitted, “but I’m trained. Trained to fight. Trained to kill. Trained to assess my enemy in an instant. You, my sweet, are not.”
She nodded, knowing he was right. Looking back up, she suddenly felt utterly exhausted. “Take me home?” she asked.
“No place else I’d rather be, darlin’,” he said, tucking her in his embrace as they headed toward his truck. One hand slid down to her hips as they walked. “And I’m thinking that Gabe’s got the right idea,” he said, giving her ass a sharp pat.
Chapter 20
Vinny and Gabe were in the main Alvarez area working on a new security system when BJ walked by, calling out to Vinny.
“Boss wants to see you. He’s in his office.”
Vinny immediately headed to Tony’s office, finding him at his desk with files spread in front of him. “You called for me, sir?”
Tony looked up at one of his most trusted friends. Vinny was smart, quick, intelligent, the best sharp-shooter he had ever seen, and Gabe’s backup medic. Vinny might joke and screw around during down time, but when
the mission was in full swing, there was no one he trusted more to have his back than him.
“Business has been steady and we’ve got a good reputation in Richland and now in Virginia as a whole. But I’ve got a new request from someone who needs us in another state. That kind of recognition has come from hard work and dedication and I’d like you to take it. This could take our company to a whole new level.”
Vinny’s interest was piqued and he waited to hear more about it.
“Got a request for a security detail to escort someone from Los Angeles to Richland.” Before he could continue, he saw the flash of interest as well as concern in Vinny’s eyes. Gabe had gotten tangled up with a diva actress on an assignment before meeting Jennifer, and it had turned out to be a cock-up situation.
“Nope, not an actress. A musician,” Tony clarified.
“Just an escort detail?” Vinny asked, willing to take any mission assigned, but curiosity getting the better of him.
“Yes, they’ll have a concert in LA where you will meet them. You’ll escort them on their flight to Richland.”
“Concert?” Vinny asked, not able to keep the idea of spending a couple of days with a female musician, preferably a beautiful rock star, out of his mind. “Who is it?”
Tony sat quietly for a moment, staring at the file in front of him. Rubbing his chin in thought, he finally looked up at Vinny and said succinctly, “Not saying.”
Vinny’s eyebrows pulled together in confusion. “Not…saying? Sir?”
Tony looked deeply at Vinny before continuing. “Vincent, you’re one of my best. Ever since the first time I laid eyes on you and your twin, I couldn’t have asked for better. One thing about you was that when you were on a mission, you gave me one-hundred percent. Off mission, if you thought with your dick it didn’t matter. You still work just as hard for me as when we were in the Special Forces, but I need your head on this mission and not thinking with your dick.”
Vinny started to protest, but Tony put up his hand. “I want you in this mission, regardless of who it is.”
Tony: Alvarez Security Series Page 21
