“Hey, Jake?” Dave looked over the bar and at his brother. “You hear about the convenience store robbery the other night?”
Jake passed a patron a drink. “Yeah, that poor cashier is lucky to be alive. Hear she took two bullets.”
“I’m thinking maybe we should update the security system.”
“I’m thinkin’ you might be right.”
“You still doing that cancer walk with me?” Dave threw the bar towel over his hurt shoulder then adjusted his sling. “One more week and this damn thing can come off. I can’t wait.” And then I can get both hands on Kathy. He couldn’t wait for that either. The last couple of days had been torture. Stolen kisses here, caressing each other there. She had showed up early for Easter dinner and because Jake and Sophie hadn’t arrived yet, Dave pulled her into the house, pushed her up against the wall, and kissed her until he felt both their knees go weak. Her tentative hands had explored his body and if Dave concentrated hard enough, he could still feel them roaming under his shirt. He couldn’t be sure what was driving him crazier, the lack of use of his arm, or the throbbing in his groin.
“Arm bothering you?” Jake swung around the bar to help with some of the tending duties since the Friday night crowds were starting to get a little louder and more demanding with the warmer weather.
“Naw, this contraption really isn’t comfortable, that’s all. So the cancer walk, you coming?”
“Not yet. But hope to be doin’ that tonight with Sophie.” Jake wiggled his brows and then passed a woman a drink.
“You can come with me, big boy,” the woman said to Jake.
The comment earned a whoop from Louie, who was also helping out behind the bar until Dave’s arm was better. “You got a live one there, Jakie!”
Ignoring his coworker Jake leaned on the bar and gave the woman his best smile. “You’re lovely but I’d be putting your life in danger.”
“And how is that?” She stroked a single red nail down the front of his chest.
“My lady would kill you. You see I’m her slave.” He winked and then backed away.
“He’s telling the truth. Can’t get him to do anything without her okaying it!”
“Louie, shut up,” Dave advised without any real force.
“She’s very lucky. If you change your mind, I’m right over there.” The woman pointed to the back pool table room.
“Hate to break your heart, honey, but I won’t be changing my mind.”
“All the same. You know where I am.” She sashayed away and Jake licked his lips while Dave rolled his eyes.
“Dog.”
“Nope. Just real lucky. Sophie plans on running the five miles. I told her she’d be on her own with that ’cause my knee’s been acting up.”
Dave snickered. “I only run if someone’s chasing me.”
“Then you’re outta shape, bro. Been a while.”
“You’re telling me!” Actually it’d been about ten years, after Jake had committed himself to the military but before he’d been shot. Relief washed over Dave as he looked at his brother. Jake had been in a dark place when he returned from war and was never hesitant to tell people he only survived because his friends and family battled to save him. Dave frowned because he couldn’t say the same loyalty happened to him. No, when he was lying comatose in the hospital, his “friends” had stolen from him. But then again that’s how he found his way back to the people who meant the most, so how could he regret it?
“Is Doc Murphy going to make it?” Dave asked with caution. Doc was a fellow comrade that Jake had met at group therapy. The man had really been lost but in the last month there’d been some kind of change. He was over at Jake’s house when Dave first met him, and while the man said little, you could see so much mayhem in his eyes. Dave had seen that look before in Jake’s and was glad that Doc had someone to lean on.
“No, but he said he’s gonna work toward doing it next year.” Jake swigged some water. “He went to see his kids on Easter.”
“Wow. Good for him.”
“He’s doing all right.” Jake smiled.
“Where is the little lady tonight?” Dave asked to lighten the mood.
“Sophie or Kathy?”
Dave’s lips twitched, “Both.”
“Right.” Jake took his time answering, knowing the suspense of the question would be agony on his brother.
“Jake?”
“Yeah?”
“I think the table over there is getting a little out of hand. Wanna talk to them?”
They both looked toward the far wall. Four guys were playing darts, getting snookered, and harassing the waitress. “Love to. Oh, and they’re shopping again. I don’t know how many clothes one woman needs. But I told Sophie that she’s going to have to stop because there isn’t enough space in the house.”
When Jake straightened and pushed his shoulders back, Dave grunted.
“What?”
“Jake, you’re going to scare the hell out of them. Try not to look so intimidating. And put your arms straight down at your sides.”
“I can’t and you know it. Too much muscle.” He smiled.
“And not enough brains?” Dave gave him a good-hearted punch on the shoulder. “Only kidding.”
“Ha. Ha.”
With the sound of the bell chiming over the door and the sight of Kathy gliding in, Dave’s world came to a screeching halt. Her eyes were different. She’d done something wicked with her makeup to make them appear larger and they watched him as he did her.
“Hi,” she mouthed.
He nodded to her just as one of the troublemakers stepped in his line of sight, so close to Kathy he could see the guy’s body rub against hers. Every muscle in Dave’s body tensed and he immediately filled with a need to protect her. He took off his sling at the same time the man put a hand on Kathy’s arm. Dave didn’t know where Jake went, and he really didn’t care. Kathy was his to take care of and no one else’s. In the weeks they’d been getting to know each other, Dave could tell something ugly had happened to her. It was the reason she was so careful and timid around him.
Coming around the bar Dave saw every move the man made, and Kathy’s protests. She jerked her elbow out of the stranger’s hand when he tried to get her to go with him. And when Sophie tried to interject, the aggressor put his back to her and kept his attention on Kathy.
“Come on, baby, I can show you such a good time.”
“I don’t need or want your kind of a ‘good time.’ ” Though painfully shy Dave saw Kathy’s hand fist and didn’t doubt she would use it if she had to.
Dave’s thirst for blood overcame any rational thought and when the man reached for Kathy again, Dave spun him around and socked a fist to his nose. Blood spattered everywhere and the women gasped as he laid down one more powerful blow that knocked the man to the floor unconscious. Arms large and wide wrapped around his chest and pulled him back. He didn’t even give a hint of struggle to his restrainer—his opponent was down.
“Jesus, Dave.”
“You were too slow, what was I supposed to do?” When Jake released him, Dave walked over to Kathy. “Are you okay?”
Her wide-eyed stare gave Dave a moment of worry. Shit, what if I scared her? Instead of being angry with him, Dave found himself encased in her arms. She dove at him with vital urgency. Never in his craziest desires had he imagined she might take him in front of an audience. And while the idea excited him, he worried she might not be okay. Slowly he moved her to arm’s length. “You’re okay?”
“I’m so sorry.” She looked bewildered and ready to run. “I can’t… I… you saved me.”
“You need to sit down.” Sophie guided her to a chair.
“Thank you so much, Dave,” Kathy said, wrapping her arms around herself.
Dave watched with amusement. “Wow. I can’t say I’ve ever had this type of effect on a woman before.”
“Hey, buddy!” A drunken man said from behind Dave. “What the hell was that about? I called the cops. I’m having you arrested.”
“Perfect. It’ll save us from kicking you guys out for harassing my staff.” Dave turned back to Kathy who continued to stare at her feet. “Kathy do you want a wat—?”
“I’m talkin’ to you, man!”
Dave felt the heavy hand lie on his shoulder but it never got a grip. Jake picked the man up and tossed him across the room.
“You touch my brother again, and I’ll mop the floor with your face. We understand each other?” The other two men with the perpetrators nodded then knelt down to examine their friend who still lay out cold. “Louie! Call the cops again.”
“Sophie, you okay?” Kathy asked her friend.
“I’m fine, just a little thirsty. You want water? I’m getting one for myself.”
“Yeah, thanks.”
The whine of sirens felt more like a relief than a nuisance. Dave cleared his throat. “Listen up, everyone. Whatever you ordered tonight is on the house,” he announced.
“What?” Louie and Jake turned and glared at Dave.
Lifting his hands to gain attention, Dave spoke loud and clear to his listening customers. “I’m sorry if this spoiled your evening, folks, and I hope you’ll come visit us again.”
The door chime sounded and four cops, including Detective Owen, walked in. Dave bit back an oath.
“Check that man!” Owen ordered and one officer jumped to get it done. “Trouble, Sanders?” He pointed his question to Dave but Jake answered.
“Yup. Four guys who couldn’t handle their beers. This sad-looking one on the floor assaulted our manager.”
“I see.” Owen’s eyes never left Dave’s. “How’s the arm? Thought it was still in a sling.”
“Yeah, well the sling got in the way of me defending my own.”
* * *
The exchange between Dave and Owen was painful to watch. The only thing the standoff was missing was a western dirt road, six-gauge shooters, and dusty hats. Heck, Kathy could’ve been the damsel in distress. The thought seemed deplorable except for the fact that Dave would be the one riding to her rescue. The image of him in chaps, spurs, and a cowboy hat made Kathy’s thighs tighten. She searched the crowd of people for a rescue from her erotic fantasy. Sophie had gone to find some rags for the bleeding men and Jake was giving information to one of the cops while keeping a hawk’s eye on his brother.
“Ma’am? Are you all right?”
“Hmm? Oh, yes. I’m fine.” Owen and Dave eyed her as if there was another head about to sprout off her neck.
“Can you answer some questions?” Owen’s eyes were soft, and he didn’t seem like such a bad guy even though Dave clearly thought so.
“Yes. I’m not sure what I can tell you. I had only just walked in.”
“From what Mr. Sanders says, the guy manhandled you, thus causing the commotion. Ex-boyfriend?”
“That’s not what I said,” Dave seethed.
Maybe she was wrong. Maybe this cop was a jerk. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve never met those men before. From what I can see, I don’t believe they’re regulars and if you’re suggesting that by walking into my place of work I started this, you’re wrong. These men obviously can’t hold their alcohol.” Dave gave her a sly grin at her response.
“I wasn’t suggesting anything, Miss…”
“Smith.”
He wrote it down on his little note pad. “Smith. Is that your real name?” Owen’s eyes bore into hers while waiting for an answer.
“Detective,” Dave interrupted, “can Kathy give her statement tomorrow?”
“Yes, I would really prefer that,” she told him.
When the detective smiled at her, Kathy’s skin began to crawl. The man was more than a little overweight, balding, and ridiculously sweaty despite the cool temperature in the bar. The sensation of being naked and vulnerable seemed to go hand in hand when he set those beady eyes on her.
“She seems perfectly fine to me,” Owen said.
“That’s because you don’t know her.”
When Dave put a protective arm over her shoulders, Kathy couldn’t stop herself from leaning into him. Warm, safe, dependable. He was all those things and so much more.
“I’ll give you my statement then, too.” Dave told Owen. “Jake!” he yelled before the officer could protest. “I’m driving Kathy home. Mind?”
The giant of a man walked to them then pulled Kathy into his arms for a hug. “You okay?” More than a little shocked at his openness of affection, Kathy only shook her head. “Get some sleep and take tomorrow off.”
“I’m fine and more worried about Sophie. She’s really not feeling well.” When the men seemed to be examining her, she asked. “What?”
Dave ran a hand over her thick, red hair. “You’re shaking that’s how I know you’re not okay.”
“Really?” She looked down at her trembling hands. “Oh, guess I am.”
“Let me get my sling and talk to the staff.” As if in reflex, Dave shifted his shoulder and adjusted his back with a grunt.
“You hurt yourself.”
“Naw. Only a tweak.”
“You’ve experienced worse. Right, Mr. Sanders?” Kathy, Dave, and Jake all looked at Detective Owen.
Jake crossed his massive arms. “Detective, I just have one question. Why are you here?”
“The call came in and I responded.”
“But this isn’t your normal thing, is it?” Jake stepped closer to Owen, who held his ground.
“No.”
“I’m gonna be completely honest with you, detective. I think you only came because you knew this was our place, specifically, my brother’s.”
Owen clearly mulled this around in his sweat-beaded head. “What are you accusing me of, Sanders?”
“Gunnery Sergeant Sanders if we’re going to do this properly. I think you heard something went down at the Lion and you wanted in on it because you think Dave’s—”
“That’s enough Jake.” Dave abruptly interrupted his brother.
A look of disgust crossed Jake’s face but he backed down. “I’ll be in touch, Detective Owen.”
“Nice bodyguard,” Owen mumbled while Jake walked away.
“I don’t need one. Card?” Owen pulled a business card from his front pocket and handed it over. “We’ll talk tomorrow,” Dave told him.
“Good. I have lots of questions. Miss Smith, were you injured at all?”
It was too obvious Owen was stalling them. Kathy knew the moves. How many times had her parents been detained for one reason or another? Most times with threats that their children would be taken away if they didn’t conform to what society deemed acceptable. Or about them not holding down steady jobs and scoffing about being suspected drug dealers. The clincher always came when they would openly admit to being swingers and that hanging out with known pedophiles wasn’t against the law. Yes, Owen only wanted to see if he could bring Dave’s temper back out. Well she wasn’t going to give him that chance. “I’m fine, thank you. Can we go now, Dave?”
“Yeah, let’s go.”
“One more question, Miss Smith.”
She turned a wicked look on Owen. “Yes, detective?”
“Do you feel safe working here? I mean after tonight, of course.”
“Jackass.” The word slipped out and when she looked at Dave both his brows were perked to attention. “Let’s go.”
She could hear her heels clicking on the wood floor and feel the furious beat of her heart pounding in her chest. The nerve of that man! Thinking he could get her to second guess working for Dave! “Is that really your name?” The detective’s sarcasm echoed in her mind.
Kathy swung the bar door open as an older couple came upon it. She stepped back and held the door for them. No sense in being rude and spreading the bad karma around. Kathy laughed at herself because her brother loved teasing her with that line.
“Oh my! What’s happening here?” The older woman, who seemed to be as tall as she was wide, asked.
“I don’t know, my love, but I hope it’s nothing serious,” the tall gentleman answered.
Kathy smiled. “I can assure you it’s only a few boys getting rowdy.”
The woman put a hand to her ample breasts. “Thank goodness. Look, there’s Jake.” She cupped her hands around her mouth and… “Jake! Over here! Jake!”
“Mom! Dad!” he called back. “Dave, Sophie! Look who’s here!”
A smile bloomed across Dave’s face. The love for his parents was apparent as he ran to hug and kiss them. “What are you doing here? I thought you weren’t in until tomorrow.”
“Well Jake called the ship, when you didn’t,” his father said while giving Dave the stink eye, “and we got here as soon as we could.”
“Dad, you and mom have been saving for that month long Hawaiian cruise forever, don’t tell me you cut it short.”
“No, no. He assured us you were okay and that there would be hell to pay if we did. But we did change our flight to tonight instead. And we’re staying for two weeks instead of one,” their father explained.
Gosh, Dave looks so adorable standing there. Kathy took a step back to let the family hug and say hello. She only made it two steps before Dave took her arm.
“This is Kathy. Kathy, my father, George, and my mother, Renee.”
“Is this ‘The Kathy’?” Renee inquired.
“Yes,” Sophie piped in. “It’s ‘The Kathy.’ ”
“Sophie, my princess!” George picked Sophie up and spun her around. “I’m so glad my dingbat of a son hasn’t scared you away.”
“It’ll take a crowbar, George.”
Renee tipped her head to the side in examination of Kathy. “You’re not what I expected.”
Kathy looked down at the new clothes Sophie made her buy. The short, flowing violet skirt, fitted print V-neck top, and new heels were certainly not her norm. No, this was an outfit that required talking into, even if it still bordered on the traditional.
“I… ah… went shopping with Sophie… and.…”
“Oh,” Renee stated, as if understanding. “She can talk a hungry carnivorous beast into becoming a vegetarian.”
“I cannot!”
Detective Owen cleared his throat. “Excuse me. Miss Smith, if you’re going to be staying a bit longer, we can have that talk now.”
Dave seethed. “You can wait until tomorrow.”
“Relax, Dave. I’m more than capable of taking care of myself. Tomorrow, Detective Owen,” she grumbled.
George stepped forward. “What’s the problem, officer?”
“There was a little disturbance here,” Dave told his father while glaring at Owen.
“I’m investigating—” Owen began.
“Harassing,” Jake mumbled.
“—a lead I was presented a few weeks ago.”
Renee crossed her beefy arms. “And what does that have to do with my boys?”
“Nothing, Ma. Nothing at all,” Dave interjected.
“Then why is this officer questioning you?”
“Detective.” Owen stated while reaching out a hand for a shake. “Detective Owen.”
George rocked back on his heels, something Kathy had seen Jake and Dave do numerous times. “What does a detective have to do with what happened here tonight?”
“Nothing,” Dave grumbled.
“I was at the station when the call came in. Thought I’d come down and help.”
“Harass,” Jake repeated.
Owen spared him a glance. “I’m being thorough.”
“And we can appreciate that but why exactly are you interested in my sons?” George wanted to know.
Owen puffed out his hefty chest. “What I questioned your son about has nothing to do with this incident. As far as I can tell, those guys were causing a ruckus and Mr. Sanders, Dave, used unnecessary force to restrain one of them.”
“I didn’t restrain him.” Dave’s face turned a deep shade of red and Kathy could have sworn she saw steam come from his ears.
“No. You used undue force.”
“Detective Owen,” Renee stepped to the officer, “are you accusing my son of something?”
“No. I never said that.”
“How about implying he did something wrong? Other than using what you call, ‘undue force.’ ”
“He knocked a man out, Mrs. Sanders—”
“And you don’t believe what? There was a good enough reason?”
“The men said they were getting ready to leave when they were jumped by both your sons,” Owen insisted.
“Liars,” Kathy mumbled.
“This is their restaurant. If someone is causing a problem, they have a right to ask them to leave.” Renee stood firm, defending her boys.
“Yes, ma’am. But they don’t have the right to—”
“Defend themselves and their customers?” Renee asked.
“Yes, they have a right. But if there is a problem then they should have called the police right away.”
“Which was done,” Dave added.
“After you knocked that man out.” Owen pointed to the guy with the ice pack on his face. “You seem to like finding trouble, Sanders.”
Kathy watched with amazement as both elder Sanders turned on the detective. The devotion, trust, and love seemed to overpower anything Owen tried to prove.
“It’s time for you to leave, Detective Owen. Or I’ll file a stayaway order on you. We understand each other?” Renee demanded.
Owen looked at Jake, Sophie, Dave, and Kathy. “I’ll being seeing all of you tomorrow,” he said before walking away.
Dave let out a long, slow breath, “I’m gonna bring Kathy home, and rest my arm ’cause it’s throbbing. Plus I’m hungry and pissed off. Jake, can you close up?”
“Yeah, Dude. All’s good here.”
“Thanks. Ma, Dad, I love you. You’re welcome to stay at my house as long as you don’t interrogate me.”
“We would never do such a thing,” Renee said, fluttering her lashes at her son.
“Oh, never you!” Dave hugged his father and mother good-bye then walked out the door before Kathy even made the move to get her jacket.
A little muddled she looked around. “Ah, Sophie, I guess Dave’s bringing me home. Renee, George, it was… umm… an interesting first meeting. I hope we can… ummm—”
“Don’t get nervous, honey.” George wrapped his lean arms around her then picked Kathy up clear off the floor in a hug. “We can’t wait for supper tomorrow night.”
“Supper?” she asked in confusion.