Page 10 of Furious Protector (Ruthless Guardians #4)

Jules

I should have never kissed him, or asked him to kiss me, or kissed him again. Damn it all to hell. I knew there was more to this than physical attraction, no matter how much I wanted to deny it.

I’m not sure at all how I feel about knowingly jumping into bed with someone who’s going to be piling into his truck and then saying goodbye just a short time later. But that’s exactly what I want to do, damn the consequences. What if I don’t and always regret never feeling his touch?

Patti’s message distracts me momentarily. I glance toward Beckett who seems deep in thought. “Patti sent me a text to let me know her and the others are in the back lot, going over the stage details with the contractors.”

I point to the side road right before the block that Wild Deuces is on. “Take a right here, and then the second left. There’s a little out of the way place to park, and we can walk in from there. The secondary lot we used last night will be full of trucks for the job.”

Beckett follows my directions and we’ve no sooner parked and reached the construction area than Patti, Lacy, and PJ walk out. “Where’s Krissy?” I ask, scanning the group, seeing the men and Sheriff Cates by the other side of the parking lot. “And Lettie?”

Patti gives me a wry look. “Lettie’s serving lunch today. She absolutely insisted, and Krissy is with the kids at home. Cole has a perimeter of Tommy’s men making sure no one gets to either of them.”

Lacy shakes her head. “I think if the guys had their way, they would like all of us ladies in one place, but they knew none of us except Krissy would go for it. If I had kids, maybe. But I don’t and they’re not bullying me out of my home or off the streets of my hometown.

Not while I have a breath left in this body. ”

Cole, Garrett, Mason, Sheriff Cates and Kenny stop talking as we approach.

Cole glances directly at Beckett, then me, and winks.

“Sounds like there was an explosion just outside of town. Sheriff Cates sent a few highway patrolmen out to investigate but it doesn’t sound like there’s much left.

And no witnesses at all, at least that we know of yet. ”

Cole opens the flap on the black tented area. We all follow him in, thankful for the reprieve from the heat of the sun that’s already beating down with an intensity that’s not likely to let up until at least six o'clock tonight.

I don’t say a word, but the truth is bound to come out, right? What if someone saw Beckett’s truck and Sheriff Cates questions him and he becomes a suspect.

My mind races with all the possibilities, until Beckett’s hand folds mine in his as we trail behind the others. He leans down, puts his arm around my shoulder, and whispers in my ear. “Stop worrying, darling.”

Not worrying is easier said than done. I’ve never seen anything like what just happened out on the highway in my life.

And those men who ran, somewhere they’re being questioned.

Beckett doesn’t have to paint me a picture.

I know exactly how the mafia makes people talk. I’ve watched a movie a time or two.

Tommy, his men, and Beckett’s friends are on our side though. That should make me feel better but still, the threat is hardly over yet.

I may not know Beckett very well, but he’s kept me safe.

I know he will protect me and I can trust him to do exactly what he says.

Kenny and Sheriff Cates stop walking and Kenny points out different points of access to the stage, areas that will be important to keep safeguarded Saturday when it will be open to the public.

Sheriff Cates fills us in on his department’s plans to secure the area, and we let him, but everyone besides him knows there’s a lot more to this little planning session needed in order to keep everyone in this town safe.

And the Larussios are going to come in heavy handed. This could be so bad. A real-life mafia war in the lovely town of Deadwood.

Cole clears his throat. “I want to make sure no one feels obligated to do anything but stay safe. Krissy is going to stay at our home with the kids. We have plenty of rooms and anyone here is welcome. We have guards there to protect those who stay.”

Staying at the stunning mansion he built just outside of town with a horse ranch to boot, knowing it is heavily guarded is not a bad idea, but I’m sticking with my original vote.

“No, I’m going to work with Lettie at the bar on Saturday and then go home just like any other night.

If she’s not scared and cowering in her home, I’m not going to be either. ”

Beckett’s jaw locks tight. “How about Jules and I talk, then round back with the group about her plans.”

All eyes look to him and then to me, causing my cheeks to heat. His stare draws me toward it in challenge. I know things are a little different now that they’ve come after me again, and he’s only trying to protect me, but I also have to stand up for myself.

I’m not about to put him on the spot in front of the other men, but I’m sure as hell not backing down.

I’ll still be here when he rides out of town in that fancy truck of his, and I’m not hiding year after year. No, this ends now. They can come and get me right out in the open, because everyone knows I tend bar with Lettie and PJ on Saturdays now that it’s gotten so busy.

If I don’t show up, they’ll know I’m hiding, and that won’t stop them anyway, so why hide? No, I am going to face these demons and get them right out of my mind.

I turn and head back toward the truck, still mulling over the options that I had, not seeing one other one I could have taken. At least that doesn’t make me feel like a two-bit heel, a coward hiding behind a man who’s not going be here after a week.

I’ve barely reached the passenger side of Beckett’s truck when he opens it for me and grabs me by the waist, lifting me right into the front seat. “Seat belt on, darling. Then we talk,” he says, shutting the door of the cab.

I pull the strap around me, watching as he walks around the front of the truck and hops in, closing his door. He doesn’t say a word but once he’s buckled and we’re back on the road, the silence starts to get to me. “I have to do what I need to do.”

“And I’m trying to be understanding of that, while still doing my job. Right now, my job is protecting you and I can’t do that if you’re going to hang out in the very bar that is at the top of the list for these men to hit.”

“I’ll be fine.”

His jaw tightens. “And you recall that is exactly what Kenny thought before someone walked into his bar and shot him point blank. Surgeries and ICU, and still he barely pulled through. Is that how you want this thing to end for you?”

I start to say something, but he’s clearly far from through.

“That’s not going to happen. Not on my watch. Not today, not tomorrow, and not next week at the grand opening. I’m going to keep you safe until all of this is blown over.”

The emotion cracks my voice. “Yeah, until you leave, and then what? Then they come for me again, just like last year, and this year, and then again after you leave? No, I’ve had enough. I am not going to hide behind your pants when I know you’re not going to be here to protect me in the future.”

He starts to say something but now I’m the one to cut him off.

“I’m sorry, Beckett. I’m not changing my mind.

I’m going to work Saturday night with Lettie and if they walk in the door, I’ll have to deal with whatever happens.

But make no mistake, I am done being scared and being intimidated by those bastards. ”