Page 32

The weekend went by too fast, and it was back to work.

I was stunned that Bones hadn’t insisted I not work after what Deon did.

There was no telling if he’d figure out I was working for Alfred again.

On the way to the store, I asked Bones why he had no problem with it.

Not that I wasn’t relieved. I needed something to distract me.

Staying at the house all day would’ve driven me insane.

“The guys told me you’d need this, and we have ways to keep you safe.

I plan to talk to Leon about our altercation with fuckface and get Leon to be even more alert.

And if I think it’s necessary, a prospect will also be assigned to you.

If you disagree, I’ll have to make you see that it’s too dangerous to be outside the compound,” he warned.

“Honey, I’m fine with you and Leon figuring out my safety, and if you bring on a prospect, so be it. Thank you. I need to be distracted right now. Work will help.”

He held my hand the entire drive, even as we walked to the door. I was a few minutes early, so I had to unlock it with my key. The alarm didn’t beep when we entered, so I knew Alfred was there. I called out his name.

“Alfred, I’m here and have a shadow,” I said.

Faint footsteps were what I heard first, then out of the back he came. He was dressed immaculately, like always. He was what they called dapper in the old days. He reminded me of a proper English gentleman. He was smiling.

“Good morning to both of you. I hope you had a good weekend. I spent my time fishing, which was incredibly relaxing. I caught up on some reading as well. Bones, I assume you’re here to hand her off as usual.”

“I am, but I need to speak to Leon before I do. There’s been a development you both need to know about.”

Alfred’s smile disappeared, and a grave one took its place. “Give me a moment, and I’ll let him know to come meet us.”

Like last time, he sent off a brief text, and Leon was at the door within two minutes. I’d left it unlocked, so he walked right in. The four of us went to Alfred’s office.

“Tell us what’s happened?” Alfred said.

“First, before we get to the not-so-good part, Blythe and I would like to let you know that the doctor on Friday was able to tell us the sex of our babies,” was how Bones began the conversation. It made Alfred smile.

“Please, do tell. I was waiting to badger her,” he confessed.

“She’s punishing me, Alfred. She’s giving me two girls,” Bones said solemnly, shaking his head.

I elbowed him. “If you don’t stop telling people that, I’m going to beat you,” I threatened.

He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, which made us all chuckle, even Leon.

“I’m very happy for you,” Alfred said.

“Congrats,” Leon said.

“Thank you. It’s a shock, but a good one. After we left the doctor’s office to celebrate the news, we went to dinner,” Bones told them, and from there, he went through the entire ugly confrontation with Deon. By the time he was through, both men were less than happy.

“So, are you here to tell me she cannot work?” Alfred asked.

“No, though that’s my first inclination.

She needs the distraction and stimulation that she gets here.

I want to know if Leon, instead of being outside, wherever you are, could you move into the building?

If not, I can work it out, and I’ll have to insist that one of our prospects be here with Blythe at all times.

We don’t trust Morton not to find her. According to Blythe, he rarely went to Cherokee.

What a coincidence he would be there, in that restaurant, at the same time as us. I don’t trust him.”

“I have no issue if Leon is inside. If you feel it’s necessary, your prospect may join him. The more, the better. I can’t fathom someone acting the way he did. If he truly cared for you, he would’ve let you thrive and not isolated and beat you,” Alfred said to me.

“None of us understands Deon and the things he does. I don’t know how, but Bones assures me that there is no way Deon will be given visitation or custody of these babies.

I wouldn’t be able to sleep and would be crazy whenever they were with him.

Why he did what he did to trick me into getting pregnant is only something he understands,” I said.

Alfred knew what Deon did. I’d told Leon one day last week. Both men were disgusted.

I let them finish figuring out the nuances while I prepared for the day. Bones made sure I got a heady kiss before he left. Leon took to wandering the store. He’d stop, look out the windows, and constantly have his eyes moving.

There were customers in and out, but not so many that we didn’t have time to chat in between.

I liked hearing about Alfred and Leon’s time in the Marines.

Some of their stories were scary, and I told them it was a miracle they were alive.

Leon, especially since he was in the Marine Force Recon, and they saw a lot of action.

He’d explained what they did when I asked.

I thought he’d been a badass, and I told him that.

At lunchtime, Alfred insisted on treating us to lunch from a small bistro down the street.

He went to pick it up. It was a short walk.

While he was gone, I was busy with a customer, and Leon was in guard mode.

I was explaining the origins of a piece to a woman.

It was her first time here, but she was an avid collector.

She said she loved the store. She and I were talking enthusiastically about restoration when the front doorbell rang, announcing someone was entering.

I assumed it would be Alfred, so I had a smile on my face when I glanced up.

I was glad he was back because I was starving.

My smile was wiped away. Striding into the building was Deon.

He walked as if he were in charge. I recognized his arrogance. It made my teeth clench together.

Leon and I had arranged a signal earlier.

If I thought I was in danger, we had one of those old-fashioned bells on the counter that you hit and made that dinging sound.

I told him about the three-two whistle the brothers at the club used.

He said we’d use it with the bell. As soon as I saw Deon, I reached over, casually hit it three times, paused, and then hit it twice more.

Leon had been making his rounds, which consisted of the entire store. He was in the back at the moment.

“Ma’am, please come with me. There’s a man here who shouldn’t be. Come back here,” I said softly to my customer. She didn’t balk or ask questions and immediately came behind the counter. I never took my gaze off Deon.

He wore a sneer of contempt as he stopped on the other side of the counter. “I knew it. I knew I’d find you working back here for that old coot. You’re not so brave when that biker doc and his gang aren’t here to defend and protect you. What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue, Blythe,” he asked.

“I have nothing to say to you other than you’re not welcome, and you need to leave. You and I have nothing to discuss unless it’s in the presence of lawyers.” I informed him. I was proud that I sounded confident.

“Have you found one stupid enough to buy your story and to take me on? You can try, but that baby is mine. And I have backing you can’t imagine. I’ll have that baby, and you can’t stop me.”

As soon as he stopped talking, he lunged like he was coming over the countertop to grab me. I stumbled back, and so did the customer as she screamed. Deon never made it. He was caught by the collar of his shirt, yanked backward, and thrown to the floor on his ass. A seething Leon stood over him.

“The lady said you’re not allowed in here. I suggest you leave while you can. If you don’t, it won’t be the cops who take care of you,” Leon threatened.

“What’re you gonna do? Call that biker of hers and his gang? Why don’t you call the cops? This woman is holding my baby hostage from me. I have rights, and she’s ignoring them.”

“You have no rights. Ms. Ashton is pregnant, but this baby belongs to Dr. Phoenix. They informed you of that. However, since you seem slow, I’m here to repeat it. Now, you’re trespassing. Leave before I call her man to remove you,” Leon growled.

“I don’t care what you say! Neither of you has the authority to throw me out of this place,” Deon shouted. He’d gotten to his feet and was dusting off the ass of his pants.

“Actually, Blythe has the authority, and Leon does too. But now that I’m here, I’ll be more than willing to tell you to leave.

You’re toxic, Deon. No one wants you near them.

You’re throwing a tantrum simply because Blythe left you.

She and Bones are happy and having a baby.

I know that’s a blow to your ego, but get over it.

And don’t return here again,” Alfred said from behind us.

He returned through the back door, which doesn’t have a bell to alert you when someone enters or leaves.

I was hoping to ask him to change that. Deon turned so he could keep Leon in his peripheral vision and looked at Alfred simultaneously.

I wish I had my purse, but it was in my desk.

Easing back, I casually made my way to my desk and sat.

Deon’s eyes flicked to me momentarily, then returned to the two men. It seemed they were at a stand-off.

When he said nothing, just glared, trying to intimidate them, it didn’t work.

“GO!” Leon roared.

Leon grabbed him again as soon as he shouted. This time, he frog-marched Deon to the front door. He opened it and shoved Deon as hard as possible when they got to it. He shouted, “And stay out and away from Blythe,” then shut the door. In case Deon tried to reenter, he locked it.

“We’re so sorry you had to see that,” I apologized to the woman.

“Don’t be. I adore it when assholes get what they deserve. I’ve seen enough. I’d love to buy that piece and arrange for someone to pick it up tomorrow. Will that be acceptable?” The customer asked.

I thought for sure she’d run and never return.

I had her squared away quickly, and she was headed out the door.

She waved as she left. Leon was at the door to be sure Deon wasn’t out there waiting to get back in or to bother her.

Once he said she was clear, we flipped the sign and took a break to eat our lunch.

As we sat down to do it, I was distracted.

I dreaded that Bones would have to be told, but there was no way around it.

I excused myself and then went into the back to make the call.

He was agitated, and I heard a bunch of swearing.

I assured him I was okay. He wanted to come right away, but I convinced him to wait.

It was hard, but he did calm down and told me he’d see me at the end of the workday.

Returning to Alfred and Leon, my boss waved me to my seat.

“You need to sit and eat. Worrying yourself sick over that man won’t do any good.

Let your man and others do that. He can’t get in unless we let him, which we won’t.

I’ll place a sign on the door to indicate that you should knock for admittance.

I do believe that prospect will be added tomorrow. ”

“I hate that I’m inconveniencing customers and you. It’s costing you money to pay Leon. And now, I’ll waste a prospect’s time,” I complained.

“If it makes you and those babies safe, it’s not a waste. You can’t be too careful with men like Deon. There’s something about him that makes the hairs on my neck stand up,” Leon said.

“Bones claims he does the same to him,” I admitted.

“Good, then he’ll be finding out why. Now, eat,” Leon ordered kindly.

My appetite had gone, but I did it for the girls. I dreaded what Bones would say or be like when he came to get me. Would he say I couldn’t leave the compound at all? I wouldn’t blame him. Which meant I had to find something there to occupy me.

I knew I could shop online for the babies, though I hoped to be able to shop in person for some things.

If Bones and his brothers made the door into the nursery and painted the walls, I could decorate it.

Outside of that, I’d babysit if the other women needed help with their kids, but it wouldn’t be enough to occupy me while he was at work.

The rest of the day passed with me in a gloomy mood, except when a customer entered. Then I put on a smile and faked it.