Page 6 of Furious Protector (Ruthless Guardians #4)

Jules

I hang up on the still talking operator, slipping the cell into the back pocket of my jeans, looking frantically around for anything that could be used for a weapon.

I screw off the shade of an old-fashioned lamp to use the heavy steel column to crack a head or two if need be.

I should be scared out of my mind but right now I’m just mad as hell.

The darkness makes it hard to see until my eyes begin to adjust, but even then, it’s difficult to see more than a few feet in front of me as I make my way from the bedroom, padding down the hall toward the living area and angry voices.

I’ll see what’s happening and then go back to the bedroom if there’s more than one of them. One of them, I can take. Two of them, I could try but would probably lose. With a plan, I step forward tentatively, peeking around the corner as pandemonium breaks the sound barrier of my usually quiet home.

More crashing glass and Lacy’s scream makes my blood curdle.

I know who’s behind the door bursting of my home.

Eldridge Jr. and his father’s goons will stop at nothing.

They didn’t get what they wanted last year, so they’re going to try different tactics this year.

Well, getting to me is not going to make Lacy do what they say, no matter what, and they are definitely not getting to her.

Maybe earlier in the night I was ready to give up without a fight, tired and scared, but that was before I realized that I’m made of tougher stuff than that. And I may not have a gun, but those are my friends out there and before they get to them, they’re going to have to go through me.

I step out just as three men from the bar stride toward Lacy and PJ. It’s dark, and they don’t have a clue what weapon I have or don’t have. “You take one more move toward my friends and I will blow your mother loving heads clean off. Get out of my house and don’t come back.”

The taller one turns his deadbeat stare at me.

My heart races with angst, because he’s not buying my tough girl act.

I don’t know how I know it, but I know it.

Then he confirms it, sneering as he takes a step toward me, calling my bluff.

“Now, I’m going to show you what happens when people stand in the way of progress.

All of you are coming with us. We’ll see how fast Kenny sells then. That is, if he wants you back alive.”

Three shadows move quickly. Garrett, Mason and Beckett fly through the door, attacking the men head on with fists flying, quickly overpowering them before pushing them to the floor.

Mason pulls swaths of rope from his belt loop and tosses one to Garrett who ropes his man’s hands behind him quicker than anything I’ve ever seen.

Beckett holds his guy tight, kneeling on his chest. He reaches for his piece of rope, wraps his hands and ties them into his belt loops so he can’t use them to take a swing.

The guy should just keep his mouth shut, but he doesn’t have a self-preserving bone in his body.

He glares up at Beckett. “You think you’ve won.

They’ll just send more meaner than us and those women, they’re going to wish they had never stood in the way of progress.

We’re going to get what we want, one way or another. ”

Beckett grabs him by the jacket lapels. “Who sent you?”

The guy laughs and spits at Beckett. “That pretty blonde, when they come for them, she’s going to be mine.”

Beckett’s fist clenches and he looks like he wants to send it smashing into that guy’s face, but he keeps it under control. “You, my friend, will be in jail,” he growls, just as the sound of sirens in the near distance begin to wail, and lights begin to flash through the curtains.

Beckett looks down at his foe who didn’t anticipate them pulling in the law. “I’d suggest you make that one phone call count tonight. Tell them not to come, or they’re going to have a war they won’t soon forget.”

Sheriff Cates and his two deputies rush in with guns drawn and the guys haul their men to their feet.

Sheriff Cates personally slaps the cuffs on the one Beckett subdued, while his deputies take care of the other two, and then hands his guy off to another deputy who walks in the door. “We got a 911 call. What happened?”

Garrett gestures to the men. “These men came to Wild Deuces earlier tonight looking to intimidate whoever was working. We sent them packing. The girls came here afterward for a drink and a little fun, and those men busted through the door.”

Mason points to the man who threatened me. “This one says there’ll be more. They aim to get what they didn’t get before. They didn’t give any names, but I’d put money on Eldridge being behind it.”

Sheriff Cates’ jaw tightens. “Read them their rights, boys, and get ‘em loaded up. We’ll have that conversation down at the station.” They walk out the door and he turns back to us. “If they’re with the Eldridge crew, they’ll be lawyered up before we get ‘em booked.”

I try to hide the shaking of my hands, but Sheriff Cates turns to me, notices, and gestures to the lamp.

“What were you going to do with that? Next time you call 911 you stay put. Stay wherever you were when you called. You and that lamp weren’t going to get the best of three grown-ass men with a mission to overpower you. ”

I try to keep the emotion out of my voice, but after a couple drinks and the events of the day, my runaway mouth just has too much to say.

“That’s easy for you to say. I am not going to sit by idly while some creep bursts through the door of my house and threatens me and my friends.

It’s not going to happen. I did nothing wrong.

Why don’t you go chew their ass and leave me alone. ”

The older man’s features soften. “Look, I know it’s a hard pill to swallow, but we’ll get them, okay? I’m just worried about you, that’s all, Jules.”

I know he knows what I went through, what we all went through, and he’s just doing his job, but still, knowing that isn’t helping this dam of emotion that threatens to burst one little bit.

My heart is beating so fast. I try to calm it, but it feels like a runaway train.

“They’re coming back. Maybe not the guys you have in custody, but they’ll send others, they said so themselves.

And when they do, I swear, they better bring a whole fucking team because I will defend myself with any means I have.

I will not become a victim again. Got that?

If you don’t do something, you’ll have to lock me up eventually too. ”

Sheriff Cates blows out a breath. “We’re going to fix this, Jules. Take a seat, ladies. I’m going to talk to the men outside.” He gestures to Beckett Garrett, and Mason to follow him.

Lacy’s eyebrow arches in challenge. “Whatever you say to them you can say to us. We’re not fragile little dolls who are scared of our shadows.

We just want to know what’s headed our way so we know what to expect.

That’s more than reasonable. And the four of us have already talked about it.

We’re not running so that better not be the plan.

This is our town, and we’re not running and hiding while the people we love are in danger. Screw that.”

Garrett puts his arm around Lacy and whispers something in her ear, and slowly her ire begins to calm. “Fine,” she says grudgingly, coming to stand by me. “Let them go talk.”

PJ walks over to us from Mason’s side as the guys walk out the door.

“Let him talk to the guys. They’ll tell us what’s going on once he’s gone and we’ll plan together,” she says.

“In the meantime, let’s get this place cleaned up.

” She walks to the cupboard and opens the door she knows I keep the good stuff in.

“I need a good whiskey, anyone with me?”

I shake my head. “I’m still feeling the effects from the two drinks at the bar.”

Patti puts her arm around me. “Sit, I have strict orders from Mr. Green Eyes that I am to give you water, food and ibuprofen in that order.”

The ladies pass an I know what she’s thinking look between them. I point to the kitchen. “Don’t you have somewhere to be?” I’m hardly in any mood for their matchmaking.

Patti throws her hands in the air in mock despair. “I’m going. I’ll pop a few pizzas in the oven. Make myself useful. Besides I know you have some of those delicious pies from the high school fundraiser left. You bought enough.”

Lacy nods. “Good idea. I’m hungry, too. Besides the guys can always eat, no matter that they ate those big-ass burgers at Wild Deuces.

They must burn calories like crazy. I’ll cut up some stuff to go with it,” she remarks, heading to the fridge to rummage around before setting out cauliflower, broccoli, and carrots at the washboard by the sink.

Patti has barely had time to turn the oven on or pour a drink before all four guys walk back in with somber looks on their faces.

Garrett gives us the news. “The Larussios are sending some of their men, Tommy and his boys. You met some of them last year. They’re already in the air and will be landing at the strip in less than an hour. ”

Mason starts his spiel, but he doesn’t get very far. “We want you to be safe, and…”

PJ narrows her eyes at Mason. “We’re not hiding out somewhere. None of us want that. Please don’t tell me that’s your plan.”

He puts his arm around her. “If I had my way it would be, but we can’t take everyone in town with us and hide them. We need to be here to protect everyone, including all of you.”

“So, what’s the plan?” I ask.

Beckett grins at me. “Looks like you’re stuck with me for a while. Consider me your shadow. Wherever you go, I go. You go to the bar, you drink with me, you want to dance, you dance with me, that clear?”