by Becca Van
“That will teach you, you sicko.”
“Toni! Shit, are you okay?” Ben moved around the asshole and pulled her into his arms. He hated that she was trembling and obviously upset but she pushed out of his arms and stomped into the kitchen, grabbed the phone off the hook and called the number to the new local police station. He was glad that she had put the phone on speaker and he was able hear the entire conversation.
“Sergeant Zachary Beech speaking, how may I help you?”
“Zach, its Toni from the coffee shop. I need you to come over to my house and remove my crazy neighbor because I’ve knocked him stupid with the lamp.”
“Calm down, Toni, take a deep breath. Now give me your address, sweetheart, and I’ll be there before you know it.”
Toni gave Zach her address and hung up the phone, but instead of looking at him, she kept her eyes on her crazy neighbor.
“Toni, look at me, baby.” Ben moved closer and saw the moisture in her eyes but again when he tried to take her into his arms, she sidestepped. God, she was so fucking stubborn. He could see that she needed comfort but she wouldn’t let him near her.
“What is it going to take to let me help you, Toni? Why won’t you let me hold you? You’re shaking.” Ben slowly reached out and took her hand in his. She clutched at it as if it was her only lifeline and her hand was cold. He slowly drew her closer and then all of the sudden she was in his arms and her face was buried in his chest. “Shh, baby. I’ve got you. He can’t hurt you again.”
Ben’s chest was aching. He had been so damn scared that bastard was going to hurt her. He wouldn’t be able to handle the stress if she got hurt. He wanted the chance to love her and cherish her. She was so damn special to him. He’d known she was strong but was glad he’d had the chance to see just how resilient she was. Most women would have run or cowered, but not his Toni. No, she’d taken matters into her own hands, found a weapon, and defended herself without any hesitation. She finally calmed down and stopped shaking and he reluctantly released her when she pulled away. Just as she turned to look at the arsehole, the police arrived.
He’d met the men briefly after the first standoff in Toni and Tasha’s store and now that he knew the men weren’t after his and Jack’s woman he wasn’t worried about them being near her. If that reasoning made him conceited he didn’t give a shit. As far as he was concerned no one else was going to get the chance to take her away from them. Although he knew Toni hadn’t looked at anyone else she did tend to flirt a bit when he and Jack were around but not with them.
All of a sudden the penny dropped. Antonia Cameron was trying to hide her feelings for him and Jack by flirting with other guys. He only hoped that would stop now that they had made love to her.
* * * *
Toni couldn’t believe the way she had fallen apart in Ben’s arms. Of course she was shaken up after Neville had come at her, but she was so used to taking care of herself and dealing with everything alone, she had surprised even herself by clinging to Ben. The only plus side was that she had been able to keep her tears at bay. His big warm body and hugging arms had been such a comfort and she hadn’t been able to stop shaking, but now she was back under control she had no intention of letting her guard down again. She nearly sighed with relief when the two police officers arrived and drew Ben’s attention away from her.
Zach Beech and Noah D’Angelo walked in her open front door, nodded toward Ben, and then looked at her unconscious neighbor.
“Are you all right, Toni?” Zach asked with concern.
“Of course I’m all right. I want you to remove that great lump of lard from my floor.”
“What happened?” Noah asked as he moved around from behind Zach.
“This moron knocked on my door. I had only just woken up so I was a bit grumpy. He pushed his way in and asked me for a kiss. I refused him of course but when he lunged at me I gave him one, a kiss from that lamp on his stupid, thick head.”
Toni could tell Zach and Noah were trying not to laugh. She glanced at Ben and saw amusement in his eyes too, but there was so much more in his gaze and right now she didn’t have the time or the inclination to deal with him. The curve of their lips and the gleam in their eyes told her everything she needed to know. Toni bit on her lip and placed her hands on her hips and prayed she wouldn’t burst out laughing either. Now that she was calmer she could see the humorous side.
“Did he touch you, Toni?” Zach’s expression turned serious.
“I didn’t give him the chance to. Now, will you please remove him so I can go and shower? I’m running late for work.”
“Okay. Noah, help me get him outside. Do you want to press charges?”
“Oh. No I don’t think so. I think he’s learned his lesson, don’t you? Just tell him to stop coming over asking for things. Tell him if he ever shows his face at my door again I’ll put a bullet in him.” She watched them haul Neville out her front door.
Noah was back a moment later and he was smiling at her. “Will you? Put a bullet in him I mean?”
“Of course not. I don’t even own a gun,” Toni snapped then slammed the door closed and locked it behind her. It wasn’t until she turned around that she saw Ben leaning against the far wall staring at her.
She unlocked and opened the door again. “You need to leave. I have to get ready for work.” Toni’s skin goose bumped when he pushed off the wall and strode toward her. For such a big man he moved with lithe ease. She couldn’t help but notice the way his thigh muscles bunched or the way his pecs rippled beneath his tight T-shirt. When he stopped in front of her she kept her eyes on the floor but she should have known he wouldn’t let her get away with that.
“This isn’t over, Toni. Jack and I aren’t going to let you run again.” Ben rubbed his thumb over her lips and she couldn’t stop from looking up at him. He leaned down and placed a light kiss on her mouth and then left. Toni sighed with relief, closed the door and headed for the shower.
Toni arrived at work only half an hour late. She rushed in the back door, dropped her purse and keys on the table, grabbed her apron and stomped through to the store.
“Well, it took you long enough.” Tasha scowled at her as she rushed to fill orders.
“Sorry, I got held up.”
They worked in silence until there was a lull and Toni made her first decent cup of coffee for the day. She took a sip as Noah and Zach walked through the door. She tried to make it to the back room so she wouldn’t have to deal with them again, but it wasn’t to be.
“Toni, come back here, we need to talk to you,” Zach demanded in a firm voice.
Toni muttered under her breath as she stomped back over to the counter. She placed her hands on her hips and glared at Zach when he smiled at her. “What?”
“Toni, that’s no way to treat our customers,” Tasha gaped in shock at her.
“They’re not customers, they’re cops,” she muttered, but her voice was loud enough for the two policemen and her sister to hear her.
“What has gotten into you today? Did you get out of the wrong side of bed? Oh, I know, it must be that time of the month,” Tasha gave her an innocent smile but Toni knew there was nothing innocent about her sister. Tasha was baiting her.
“No,” Noah interrupted, just as Toni was about to snap back at Tasha, “it probably has to do with your neighbor bothering your sister, first thing this morning.”
“Shit. What did creepy Neville do? Are you all right?” Tasha looked her over.
“Of course I’m all right and he didn’t do anything.”
“Only because you didn’t give him a chance,” Noah said.
They all heard the bell on the door but didn’t look to see who had entered.
“You know you were lucky you clocked him on the head with that lamp. Toni, your lovely neighbor, Neville has several restraining orders out on him from numerous women for sexual harassment. It could have ended up a lot worse if you hadn’t knocked him out.”
* * * *
“Oh fuck that’s all I need,” Toni muttered aloud and glared at Noah as if it was his fault for letting the cat out of the bag. But Jack had heard all about this morning’s incident from Ben and he’d cursed having to deal with customers because he had wanted to rush over here and see that she was all right for himself.
“Are you all right, sugar? Did he hurt you? Do you want me to take you to the doctors?” Jack walked around the end of the counter and took Toni into his arms.
“Would you just back the hell off? I’m fine. The arsehole didn’t even touch me. I can take care of myself you know.” Toni pushed against Jack’s chest.
“Then why are you so upset?” Jack put some space between their bodies but kept hold of her arms.
“I’m not upset. I’m…I’m just grumpy.”
“Yeah and pigs can fly backward,” Jack said sarcastically but he let her see the concern in his eyes.
“Take her into the back, Jack, and let her drink her coffee.” Tasha shoved Toni’s coffee into one of his hands.
“I am not upset. I just haven’t had any coffee yet. I’m suffering from caffeine withdrawal,” Toni said over her shoulder, as Jack dragged her into the back room by her hand.
Jack placed her mug of coffee on the table and then seated her in a chair. He knelt down in front of her, took her face between the palms of his hands, and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.
“Are you sure you’re all right, sugar? God when I think over what that bastard could have done to you it makes me feel sick.”
The worry in his voice nearly undid her. He could see that she was trying very hard not to cry, but his feisty, strong woman wasn’t about to break down in front of him. Jack wanted to hit something, preferably that arsehole neighbor of hers, but he was glad that Toni had been able to take care of herself.
“I’m fine, Jack,” she answered but couldn’t quite keep the tremor from her voice. She picked up her coffee and took a sip. It must have been cool enough for her to gulp it down, because she did just that.
“Do you want me to get you another one, Toni?”
“Yeah that would be good, thanks.”
Jack grabbed her cup and took it out front for Tasha to refill. While he was there he questioned Zach and Noah. “Why the hell didn’t you make her press charges?”
Noah leaned on the counter and smiled at him. Jack wanted to grab his shirt and ask him what the fuck was so amusing but didn’t think that would ingratiate himself to the man so he held his temper in, barely.
“You should know that once Toni has made up her mind it’s hard to sway her decision. Don’t worry, Jack, we’ll be keeping a close eye on Neville. He won’t have the chance to get to her again, not if we can help it.”
Jack scrubbed a hand over his face. Noah was right, once Toni made up her mind, getting her to change it was like trying to talk to a brick wall. He and Ben should know, they’d been trying to get her to go out with them for far too long.
Jack was back minutes later and placed her coffee on the table and sat down across from her. “There you go, sugar.”
“Thanks, Jack, I really needed this.”
“No problem. Are you sure you’re all right?”
“I’ve already said I’m fine, Jack.” Jack heard her exasperation.
“I think you should press charges, Toni. You don’t want him to be able to come at you again.”
“What’s the point? He’d only get a slap on the wrist anyway. It’s not like he was able to do anything. I didn’t let him. It would be more hassle on my part than his. I’d have to go to his hearing and give evidence. Look, Jack, I appreciate your concern but I have been looking after myself for a long time. I don’t need you or anyone else telling me how to live or run my life.”
“You scared the crap out of me, sugar. I just needed to see that you were unharmed for myself.” Jack sighed when she arched an eyebrow at him and held his hands out palm up. “Okay then, I’d better head back or Ben is going to wonder what’s keeping me. See you later, sweetheart.” He rose from his chair, placed a kiss on her temple and left.
Jack knew he wasn’t going to get anywhere with her today. He’d already figured out she brought out her feisty side when she was threatened and she wouldn’t let her guard down until the threat was gone. He had to bite his cheek to keep from smiling. Antonia Cameron felt threatened by him and Ben. That was a good thing. Wasn’t it?
God, I hope so.
Chapter Five
Toni kept away from Ben and Jack as much as possible over the next couple of weeks. As much as she yearned to see them and spend time with them, she was scared of the way they made her feel. They cared for her, she was sure because she could see it in their eyes but did they just want her for a while or did they want more?
She’d already acted out of character with them and begged them to make love with her and that wasn’t her at all. Toni kept men at an arm’s length and didn’t do relationships. She was scared that she would lose her independence if she agreed to go out with them, but not because of them. Toni was scared that she would like leaning on them and letting them take some of the load from her shoulders. Not with everything of course, she was strong enough to stand on her own feet, but if she did begin to lean on them and they left her, would she be able to go back to the cold, indifferent person she tried to portray? She wasn’t so sure.
Toni began taking her breaks as soon as she saw them walking across the road heading for their shop for their morning coffee. By the looks Tasha gave her she wasn’t fooling her sister for a minute and she wasn’t fooling Ben or Jack either. She’d heard them calling out loud enough for her to hear that she could run but she couldn’t hide. She knew it was only a matter of time before they either gave up or decided to take matters into their own hands again, so to speak, like Jack had when he’d hauled her into his shop over his shoulder.
One afternoon Toni was not too surprised to see Sean and another man walk through the shop door.
“Hi, Sean, how are you?”
“Fine thanks, sweetheart. This is my brother Jason,” Sean introduced.
“Hi, Jason, pleased to meet you. What can I get you two gentlemen?”
“We’ll have a chicken salad sandwich and two long black coffees thanks, Toni. Is Tasha about?” Sean glanced around the room.
“Yes. She’s in the back putting a load in the dishwasher. She should be out any moment,” Toni couldn’t help but grin. She couldn’t wait to see the sparks fly between her sister and these two men.
“Thanks, Toni. We’re going to sit right there at the front table.” Toni nodded with acknowledgment when Jason pointed and started toward the table and then got to work on their order. She had placed their sandwiches in front of them and was heading back for their coffees when Tasha came back in to the store. As there were two customers standing at the counter awaiting service, Toni walked back around the counter and indicated the two coffees to be taken to Sean and Jason. She gave Tasha a smile and her sister glared back but swiped the coffee from the counter and stomped toward the two men.
Toni kept watch out of the corner of her eye as Tasha placed the two coffees in front of her admirers and had to bite her tongue to keep from laughing as Jason grasped her sister’s wrist to keep her at their table. She couldn’t hear what he said to Tasha, but if the blush on her sister’s face was any indication it must have been good. Toni made the two coffees as she watched her sister snatch her arm away from Jason and stomped back to her side.
“Payback’s a bitch, you know,” Tasha whispered into her sister’s ear before she turned her attention to a new customer.
The two girls worked steadily through the lunchtime rush and gave a sigh of relief when they noticed the shop was empty except for the two Gallagher brothers.
“Tasha, go and ask if Sean and Jason want a refill while I empty the dishwasher and put another load on.” Toni grabbed a square bucket full of dirty dishes from under the counter and headed ou
t back.
But she heard her sister mutter, “Bitch.”
“I heard that,” Toni said with a laugh as she left the room. Toni placed the bucket on the table just inside the door and watched surreptitiously through the beaded curtain as Tasha walked over to their table.
“Do you want more coffee?” she asked abruptly, not looking at either of the men.
“Thank you, Tasha. We’d love another cup,” Sean answered calmly.
Tasha took their cups and stomped back to the coffee machine where she made two more coffees.
“Anything else?” Tasha asked after placing their cups on the table.
“Yes there is one thing I would like very much, baby girl,” Jason grasped Tasha’s wrist and pulled her down on his lap.
“Would you please let me up? This is my place of work. You can’t do things like that here.”
“Oh, I think I can, Tasha, besides there is no one else around to see.” Jason reached up and held her face between his hands, lowered his head, and kissed her.
Toni moved away from the curtain giving her sister some privacy. She smiled as she thought about the men pursuing her sister. Sean was a really nice man so his brother had to be just as nice, if a little more dominant from what she had seen. They were both gorgeous, sexy, men and she knew they were playing for keeps. She couldn’t wait to see how those two men would deal with her recalcitrant sister.
Toni had just finished unloading the dishwasher when she heard the bell over the front door tingle, announcing another customer. She moved to the beaded curtain then pulled back quickly when she saw Ben walking in.
“Shit. I’m not ready for this,” she whispered in a panic.
Thinking quickly, and knowing the worst rush of customers for the afternoon was over, she grabbed her keys and purse and headed for the back door, glancing over her shoulder as she hauled the door open and stepped out. Toni gave a surprised squeak when she slammed into a hard, warm male. Raising her eyes she looked up and up until she was looking into the face of a very annoyed Jackson Landon.
