Page 79 of Silver Spoon Falls, Vol. I
FIFTY-SEVEN
CIARA
I look over at the green numbers on the front of the microwave and wince.
I freaking worked way too late again. If I don’t put a move on, I’m going to be late for my job at the Park Avenue Bar, and I don’t want to risk losing it.
Razor Montgomery has been the best boss.
Not only do we have a great working environment, but he’s also given everyone who came from the Last Resort Bar full benefits.
For the first time since my parents died, I have health and dental insurance.
He even gives us paid time off, which will come in handy in about eight months or so.
I’d been feeling a little off the last few days, so I took a little test this morning after my shower. The little positive sign didn’t shock me. I know Garrett is going to be a wonderful father. Just looking at how he treats my brother attests to that.
There’s no way I’m going to be ready in time, so I pull out my phone and send Carlie a quick text.
We’ve gotten into the habit of carpooling to work after Garrett convinced Razor to give us the same shifts every week.
Garrett says he did it so I could still spend time with Carlie now that he’s occupying me twenty-four-seven, but my overprotective fiancé doesn’t fool me.
I know it’s so that I don’t have to drive to work and walk across the parking lot alone.
Me
You’ll never guess what I did.
Carlie
You lost track of time and you’re running late.
Me
You know me so well.
Carlie
I’m running a few minutes behind, too. I’ll come in and check out your new digs while you get ready. Hurry up or we’ll be late.
I send a thumbs up and rush to get dressed. Luckily, I know my own tendency to run late so I showered this morning.
After the run-in with Edna Know-it-all Hubbard and the school board, Garrett insisted that Todd and I move into his large, private home on the outskirts of town.
Since he used his talented mouth and fingers as a means of persuasion, I was a gooey mess once he was done and would have agreed to just about anything.
Once I agreed, we went by my apartment to grab a few things for me and Todd to hold us over until we can move everything. Once we got back to his home, Garrett arranged for the MC brothers to help us move the rest this weekend.
I’m pulling on my uniform t-shirt and capri pants when my phone dings with another text.
Hot Fiancé
I have to stop and talk to Dillon a little bit, so I probably won’t be home before you leave for work. Is Carlie still picking you up?
Me
Yes. Is everything okay?
Hot Fiancé
Just typical shit. I’ll be heading to the PAB right behind you. Save me my favorite spot.
Me
Like anyone is brave enough to try to sit on your barstool.
Hot Fiancé
Love you, Cherry.
Me
Love you, too. Don’t get into any trouble.
Hot Fiancé
Who, me?
Me
Yes, you.
Hot Fiancé
I promise.
I hear a knock on the front door and figure Carlie ended up making it here in record time.
Without even looking through the peephole, I pull open the massive wooden door and almost pass out when I find Leone and Enzo Bellotti standing on the doorstep with matching looks of malice on their fake-tanned faces.
My fight or flight instinct kicks in, but I’m not much of a fighter so I attempt to slam the door on them.
Too bad, I’m not fast enough to achieve my goal, and Leone ends up kicking the door back out of my hands.
“You’re not getting away that easy, bitch.” Did this sleazy asshole just call me a bitch? I make sure to dig the heel of my tennis shoe into the top of his foot when he gives me a little shake.
“You need to leave.” I pull out of his hold and stand up to my full five-foot-one and three-quarters height.
I attempt to block them from entering the door while I glare at the brothers.
I keep telling myself to stall until my friend drives up.
If Carlie sees these two, she’ll be able to sound the alarm.
“Garrett will be home any minute,” I lie.
“Dream on.” Leone shoves me back, and I stumble against the wall as the two assholes stroll in like they own the place. “We’re here to take care of some business with you.” Enzo cracks his knuckles like this is some gangster movie. “And lover boy is going to be tied up for a while.”
My heart drops at the thought of them doing something to Garrett, but I know he’s safe. At least he was five minutes ago when he texted me. Surely, they didn’t do something to him in that short amount of time.
“He’s going to kick your ass,” yes, these two are driving me to use swear words, “when he finds out what you’re doing to me.
” I need to keep them busy until my friend comes.
I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure we all make it through this safely.
If these two creeps think they’re going to steal my happiness, they have another thing coming.
“You need to worry about yourself right now, little missy.” Leone’s fake Brooklyn accent is getting old.
Right now, I’m too ticked off at these creeps to feel fear.
When he grabs my arm, I resist attempting to pull away from his hold and the big jerk hits me.
Hard. I’m pretty sure I’m going to have a shiner tomorrow.
“You’re making a huge mistake doing this.” I waste my breath, attempting to convince the not-too-bright thugs to leave me alone.
“The only huge mistake we made was hiring your needy fucking ass,” Enzo sneers, and I notice his gnarly chipped side tooth for the first time.
Ick. “But we’re here to rectify that error.
” For the first time since the bumbling duo broke in, I feel fear.
There’s more than just me to worry about, and I refuse to let these two creeps steal my happiness.
Knowing I need to protect myself and my child, I don’t resist when Leone zip-ties my hands behind my back. Ouch . “You don’t have to put them on so tight,” I grumble as he almost pulls my shoulder out of the socket.
“Shut up,” he hisses while his brother storms through the room, searching through drawers and tossing things around. “Find anything?”
“No. This asshole doesn’t have anything worth taking,” Enzo complains and kicks over the adorable antique table next to the fireplace.
“I guess we’ll have to use her to make a few dollars.
To make this worth our effort.” My skin crawls as I imagine all the ways they could “use” me to make money. None of them are good.