Carly high-tailed it to the other end of the bar after dropping her bomb. The pole axed look on Garrett’s face almost had her taking pity on him. Then she remembered how hard he was trying to scare her. Dealing with Darin Chambers’ threats was more than enough for one evening.
She could feel Garrett’s laser blue eyes boring a hole in her back. Carly kept a smile on her face while waiting on customers. She worked as if possessed, trying to keep the fear at bay. Mixing a drink with anisette the smell sent her mind back to the storeroom. Darin’s foul breath in her face. His hands and body pinning her to the wall. The grinding motion of his hips against her lower body. Oh God, Garrett was right. She had been assaulted.
“Hey.”
She heard the customer yell as she turned and raced for the ladies’ room. The sound of her name reached her ear just before she slammed a stall door open then closed. She stood staring at the toilet bowl in front of her. Her chest heaved with her fight to regain control. Sweat beaded her brow. Her head started to pound.
No, no, no, no, no. I cannot get sick. Cannot let him win.
Turning she leaned her head against the cool metal wall, then her hands and forearms. Her breathing slowed. The bile trying to force its way up retreated. The pounding disappeared. She was going to be okay.
After a minute she closed the toilet lid and sat down. Tunneling her fingers into her hair she hung her head and gave herself time to breath. Hearing the ladies room door open she prayed Garrett hadn’t followed her.
“Carly, girl. You okay?” Belinda’s voice asked. “Handsome sent me. Said he saw you booking in here looking like you were going to be sick.”
Despite feeling miserable Carly grinned. Handsome was a good nickname for Garrett. He wouldn’t like it of course, but it fit him. His straight, jet black hair, accentuated his blue eyes. His always tanned skin radiated more than a physical heat. His height, combined with those broad shoulders, were the icing on an already delectable cake.
“I’m fine,” she said, flushing the toilet before opening the stall door. “Who’s watching the bar?”
“That man’s full of surprises,” Belinda smiled, wiggling her eyebrows. “He promised me he had experience and could take care of it.”
“I’d believe him,” Carly said, holding a paper towel under cold water. She pressed it over her face then the back of her neck. “From what William says there isn’t much Garrett Steele can’t do.”
Glancing in the mirror she noticed Belinda’s concerned frown. “I’m fine. I must have eaten bad leftovers this afternoon.” Doubt still clouded her friend’s face, but thankfully Belinda didn’t push it.
“Well, I don’t think we should leave him alone too long. He might call William to--”
“Dang.” Carly threw the paper towel in the trash and rushed out the door. “That’s all I need is my big brother crashing into the ladies room.”
Belinda’s laughter followed Carly into the hallway. “Yeah, but think of all the girls that would be thrilled.”
Shaking her head, Carly made her way to the bar. Garrett and William were working side by side. Women were lined up three deep all along the bar waiting for one of the men to look at them. Maybe she and Belinda should sit back and take a break. The cash register certainly wouldn’t complain.
Belinda leaned on the wall beside her. “Maybe you should see if Handsome wants a job. He’s definitely good for business. Not that William’s any slouch, but we all know he’s taken. With Handsome there’s hope.”
“Obviously you don’t know Garrett. The last thing he wants is a relationship.”
“And you know this because?”
“When he would visit with William during college, he always brought his books. He was driven then and William says he hasn’t changed. I’m sure you saw the women try and get him to dance earlier. His scowl could burn a girl.”
Carly watched Belinda nod in agreement. “Too bad. I bet he’s dynamite in bed.”
“Belinda!” Carly scolded.
“What? Look at the man.”
Of course Garrett chose that moment to glance in their direction. Carly caught herself leaning in his direction. It was as if his eyes were a tractor beam pulling her in. Blinking she shook off the ridiculous and childish thought then met his gaze again. There was a question there, and she had better answer before he started talking to William. Smiling she walked toward them.
“Hey, guys. Having fun?” she asked.
“Hell yes,” William said. “When I saw Garrett back here I thought something was wrong, but he said you had a call and Belinda needed to use the ladies room or something. I decided there was no sense in letting him have all the fun.”
“Thanks.” She turned to Garrett and mouthed thank you. He nodded, but she could tell he wanted more. Before she could think of what to say Belinda pushed her into him. Garrett’s arm came around her, rested on her hip and steadied her against his side.
Considering the reason she’d made a mad dash to the restroom, she didn’t understand the flush of heat that started the moment they touched. The last thing she should want was a man touching her. But Garrett’s hold wasn’t threatening. It was warm, safe, solid. Before she leaned further into him, she pushed the desire and her body away.
“Why don’t you two take a turn around the dance floor? Give me some quality time with my favorite blond boy,” Belinda said, not giving Carly much room to put space between herself and Garrett.
“Oh, Belinda, you’re gonna make me blush,” William said. “But I agree. Take a break, sis. Take Garrett for a twirl on the dance floor. I’ll bet he hasn’t danced since he was in high school. I know he never did at college.”
Rolling her eyes, Carly shook her head. She had no doubt dancing with her was the last thing on Garrett’s agenda. “I should get back to --”
“Come on,” Garrett said, sliding his hand down her arm. He laced his fingers with hers and started walking.
They were halfway to the dance floor before Carly recovered from the shock. She stopped walking, but Garrett just stepped back and put his arm around her. He tipped his head. The whisper of his breath on her ear sent shivers over her skin.
“We’re going to talk now. Either on the dance floor or next to your brother, your choice,” he said.
The shivering stopped. Her jaw clenched. She began moving forward again, stiffly. Once on the floor he moved to the back. Carly wasn’t stupid, she knew he didn’t want William to see they were doing more talking than dancing. At least she’d thought herself not stupid. But then Garrett wrapped one arm around her and started moving to the music. Not just move, his moves were fluid, smooth, and easy. Oh God, the man could dance.
You’re mad at him, remember.
“Are you okay?” he asked, looking down into her eyes.
Nodding, Carly let go of her frustration over his strong arm tactics. As close as their heads were she could see the sincerity of his question. “I guess everything kind of crashed down on me all at once. I just needed a minute.” His raised eyebrow made her grin. “Really.”
“So are you willing to admit it now?”
As he asked she turned her gaze away. This was not something you wanted to discuss with a guy. “Yes, okay, you were right.”
Garrett felt a change in her immediately. Not only did she break eye contact, but her body tensed and leaned away from him. He pulled her closer. When her gaze met his, he leaned his head close to hers. “I’m not happy about any of it. The assault, or being right, but you needed to accept it.”
“Why, so I can turn into some needy little waif? No thank you.” She’d been there once in her life and didn’t care to go back.
“Hardly,” he said, shaking his head. “Acceptance allows you to become stronger. More aware.”
This close Garrett knew the second tension eased from her body. Watching her closely he could tell something started percolating in her pretty head.
Don’t go there. Stop thinking about how pretty she is. Remember your last lapse into a relationship.
“So what did you have to accept?” she asked.
Her question couldn’t have come at a worse time. The reminder from his conscience had been bad enough. Telling someone, especially Carly why he knew this particular lesson so well was not going to happen.
“What makes you think I had something to accept?” That’s it, turn it back on her.
“Your explanation was too quick. You didn’t even have to think about it. That tells me you learned it the hard way.”
“Whatever it was, it must have happened so long ago I don’t remember,” he said. “But we aren’t talking about me. We’re talking about you.”
Someone bumped her from behind bringing her flush against his body. For just a moment Garrett allowed himself to enjoy the feel of her. Mixing that with the awareness in her eyes and he found himself not only hard, but hard pressed to resist. But resist he did. He twirled her to make it appear less obvious when he didn’t bring her back quite as close.
“So, explain your little ‘give up’ bombshell,” he said. Staring hard at her he made certain she knew he expected a full explanation. “I’m assuming you didn’t mean agree to date, or marry the jerk.”
God, he hoped she hadn’t. He would hate to have to kill the guy, but he would not let William’s sister be manhandled. Her widening eyes eased his concern.
“When Hell freezes over,” she said. “I don’t date, and marriage is not in my future.”
Since, in his mind she had always been the epitome of the girl you took home to mother, asking why was on the tip of his tongue. He didn’t ask, though. Right now he needed to know what was going on with the idiot he’d run out of the bar. “So?”
“It’s really not that big a deal, okay. He wants me to sell out, and I won’t.”
The song changed to a more upbeat melody. Without thought he started Texas two-stepping. He wasn’t letting her get away before he knew the full story.
“I had no idea you were such an accomplished dancer.”
He grinned and shook his head. “Thanks, but you’re not getting off that easy. I want details.” Garrett expected the rolled eyes and silence. He was probably the last person she wanted to talk to. The last time he’d seen her she’d been seventeen and had a crush on him. Oh he’d been tempted, more than tempted, but he’d stopped before it was too late. And she hadn’t spoken to him since. Not that he’d come back with her brother after that to give her a chance. He’d been a coward and kept his distance.
But he’d never forgotten.
And obviously neither had she. She had to understand this problem wasn’t going away if she ignored it.
“I meant what I said, Carly. You talk to me or William. That guy I chased out of here is dangerous.”
She glared up at him. “I don’t want William to know. He always thinks he has to rescue me. I’m not fifteen anymore.”
Garrett definitely knew she wasn’t fifteen, or any teen. Carly Rose O’Bannon was definitely all woman. What he didn’t know was why she felt she had to face something like this on her own. “No one said you were. Asking for help doesn’t make you weak.”
She tipped her head and grinned up at him. “And when was the last time you asked for help?”
He glared at her this time. “We’re not--”
“I know, I know. We’re not talking about you. Obviously, this asking for help thing is only necessary for a woman.”
He watched her glance toward the bar. When she turned her gaze back on him, he simply raised an eyebrow. He was not going to debate semantics, or siblings, or anything else with her. He just wanted to get the facts.
“Darin owns a bar on the other side of town.”
“This town is big enough for more than two bars. In fact, I’m pretty sure I’ve been to several others with William in the past.” She smiled and Garrett almost lost his train of thought. “I mean, it’s not that small.”
“What it comes down to is I’ve been successful and Darin doesn’t like it.”
“Why, is his place not doing well?”
“Everything he touches turns to gold. No, it’s not lack of business. It’s --”
“Personal,” Garrett interrupted.
Carly narrowed her eyes. Garrett liked how she bounced from mood to mood. He wasn’t accustomed to it, but he liked it.
“No, greed. He sees me making money he thinks should go in his pocket. So, he not only wants to open a place on this end of town, he wants to take my business out of the competition.”
They made another full circuit of the dance floor while Garrett mulled over the information. “How long has this been going on?”
“He approached me with an offer a few months ago. I turned him down and he upped the offer. I told him it wasn’t about the money. It was the place, the work, the people.”
“Okay, you like what you do. That makes sense.”
“Not to Darin. To him it’s all about money,” she said. “Anyway, he told me I could stay on and be his bartender. Can you believe it? Like I’d give up owning my own successful business to tend bar for that jerk.”
Garrett had to admit the guy was pretty stupid. Who in their right mind would give up a profitable business they enjoyed? Unfortunately, the guy’s stupidity only meant he was more dangerous.
“It looks like he’s gotten tired of waiting,” Garrett said. “And his type doesn’t give up. He’s dangerous.”
“I’m not afraid of him. As you said, now that I’ve accepted how far he’ll go, I’ll be more aware. I’ll be prepared. He won’t catch me with my guard down again,” she said as the band finished the song.
When people started to leave the floor they followed. He did not release her though. Lacing his hand with hers he kept her close. “So, you have security I don’t see, right? You don’t let everyone leave as soon as the basic cleaning is done, and you have someone go to the bank with you after closing, right?”
“Yep, I gotta get back to work. Thanks for the dance,” she said, pulling her hand free. She quickly put space and people between them.
That damned tingling started at the base of his skull again. Garrett didn’t even try to ignore it. He learned to pay attention to such warnings and omens. Some people might not believe in them, but such things had saved his butt more than once.
Garrett scanned the room. The jerk wasn’t in sight, but William was waving him over. He joined his friend at the end of the bar. “Man, it’s hot in here. I think I’ll go get some fresh air for a minute.”
“My little sister did a number on you, huh?” William said.
The suggestive wiggle of William’s eyebrows had Garrett rolling his eyes. “You know better. I don’t have time for women.”
“Looked like you two were pretty cozy out there on the floor,” William said, turning to Meg as if for backup.
“Don’t put me in the middle of your ‘boy’ games,” she said.
Garrett nodded. “Thank you, Meg. But, really, William, I’m roasting in here. While you get us another round I’m going to take a stroll outside for a few.” He waved as he walked away.
Making his way around people to the door, he stepped outside. Looking up and down the street he decided nothing seemed out of place. Not that he’d know what was out of place here. Give him Manhattan, or the Bronx, or anywhere in the city and he could tell you everything about it. But here, the relative quiet alone was unnerving. Maybe you are imagining things. Maybe you want something to be wrong so you can be a hero again.
“Again?” he whispered out loud. He never considered himself hero material. He ferreted out bad guys. If that helped good people, great that was a bonus. He just did it because he was good at it.
Walking to the edge of the building he strolled down the alley between it and its neighbor. There was a stairway leading up the back of the building to what appeared to be an apartment. The tingling got stronger. Looking around the rest of the area he noticed a garage adjacent to the building. Proximity and style said it belonged with the building that housed the bar. He looked through the window. A sport utility vehicle and a small motorcycle were stored inside along with the usual garage clutter. Without thinking he reached for the side door handle. It wasn’t locked.
Garrett stretched his neck to relieve some of the tension building inside of him as he pulled a gun from his calf holster. Silently he eased the door open and stepped just inside. Never knowing where an assignment might lead he was licensed to carry in most of the country. For a moment he closed his eyes and listened. Nothing moved. But something was off. How he knew, he wasn’t sure, but he knew. Then he recognized it. Menthol. The smell of menthol cigarettes hung in the air. The same repulsive odor that had permeated the jerk’s breath and clothes.
Son-of-a – he stopped the thought. No time for anger. Check it out and make sure there’s nothing to cause Carly trouble.
Walking the entire area with his gun drawn Garrett made certain no one else was around. Holstering the gun he checked his watch. Only a few minutes had passed. With luck he had maybe five more before William came looking for him.
Figuring if the Jerk wanted to do damage it wouldn’t be to the bar he wanted; Garrett checked all the obvious places to plant an incendiary device. He found nothing. He moved to the SUV. Since his own vehicle had recently exploded, he decided to check for anything similar on Carly’s. The driver’s door was unlocked. Lord he was going to have to have a serious security talk with this woman.
He leaned in and looked under the dash and the seats. The inside seemed clean so he moved underneath. It was also clean. Standing he looked around.
The motorcycle caught his eye. It wouldn’t be too hard to rig one of those for an accident or explosion. He scoured everything he could without taking the bike apart. No cut hoses, no holes in the tank, nothing loose or anything else that looked problematic.
Resting on his haunches he surveyed the garage one more time. Nothing jumped out at him as a concern. He glanced at his watch and knew he’d pushed his time as far as he could go. He stood and walked to the door. Pulling it open he twisted the worthless knob lock and closed it behind him. At least someone would be slowed down if they came back.
He was halfway back to the alley when William appeared.
“Hey, what are you doing back here?” William asked.
“I just wanted a look at the place. Besides, you know me, I’m a city boy. Give me an alley and I have to investigate. So, this is Carly’s place, huh? She said she owns it,” Garrett said as he reached William and continued back through the alley.
“Yeah, she bought it for next to nothing. The place was a wreck. I have to give it to her; she worked her usual O’Bannon magic. It looks great, except for the roof, which is one of the activities I have planned for us this week. She’s done well here. The customers love her and she has fun while making some money.”
“Is that an apartment upstairs?”
William nodded then frowned. “Yeah, it’s Carly’s. I told her she didn’t have to move out of the house, but she did anyway.”
“She probably expected you and Meg to be married and have kids by now. I have to admit, I was surprised to find out you’re still seeing Meg.”
“Yeah, well, I guess she hasn’t given up on me yet,” William said as they reached the door. He held his hand out to stop him.
Garrett stopped, wondering what was wrong.
“So, when are you going to tell me what’s going on?”
“Not tonight,” Garrett said. “It’s your first night home, and my first one after a long drive. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
William nodded. “Okay, but I’m holding you to that. As to your comment about Meg, I’m glad you’re here. You’ll be able to help us celebrate this weekend.”
“Celebrate?” Garrett asked.
“I’m finally going to ask her to marry me.”
Slapping his friend on the back he smiled. “It’s about damn time. Congratulations.”
“Well, she does have to say yes first.”
“If she’s waited this long, she’ll say yes.”
“Maybe,” William said.
Garrett watched him look up and down the street. “So where’s your bike? I expected you to ride that out. I thought we could take a ride in the mountains while you’re here.”
“That sounds like a plan. But, the bike is at the hotel I checked into a couple of blocks down, which is probably a good thing if you’re planning on proposing to Meg.” He opened the bar’s door and stepped inside as William started the debate Garrett had expected. The debate was one of two reasons why he had checked in before coming to the bar.
“But you’re staying at the house.”
Garrett shook his head as they walked to the far end of the bar. It was partly to explain, and partly to shake the images of the other reason he was staying at a hotel. The last time he’d been in William’s house he had held Carly. “Nope, I couldn’t do it. I’ve been alone so long I doubt I’d know how to act with someone else around.”
“We’re talking a few days, man. I think you can handle it.”
“What are you two fighting about now?” Carly asked walking over to where they stood.
“He says he doesn’t want to stay at the house. I’ll be in his way,” William said.
Garrett rolled his eyes. “I didn’t say that. I said I’m used to being alone.”
Carly shrugged and shook her head at William. “Sounds to me like the man just wants his privacy, besides, you’ve been gone for months. I’m sure Meg’s going to want some private time with you.
“Speaking of which, she’s looking lonely,” Carly’s head turned toward a table where Meg sat. “If I were you, big brother, I’d take the lady home before someone else does.”
Garrett mouthed a thank you when Carly glanced his way. He had been wondering how he was going to get through several more hours without spilling Carly’s beans. Not that he didn’t want to, he just wanted to discuss it with her some more before he did.
“Fine,” William said. He leaned across the bar and kissed Carly’s cheek, then turned and faced Garrett. “You’re not off the hook. We are going to talk.”
“Never doubted it,” Garrett said. He did plan on talking to William, just not tonight. He watched while his friend collected Meg and they left. When he turned back to the bar Carly had moved away, but she’d left him a drink. He took a sip of Macallan’s. At least the drinks were good.
He watched Carly serve and talk to the customers. She really did seem to enjoy her work. Deciding to wait to discuss the garage with her until business slowed down he leaned back against the wall. He took another sip of his drink. His back pocket began to buzz and vibrate. Pulling the cell phone out he glanced at the readout. Unknown number was all that displayed. Thinking maybe his boss was using a different phone for security reasons, he flipped it open.
“Steele,” he said loudly over the band’s noise. He covered his other ear with his hand.
“Sticking your nose in other people’s business can be dangerous.”
~~~