Let It Go (7 page)

“I don’t need some man or men trying to claim guardianship or some sort of control over me to make me feel like I can’t handle life on my own, which I handle just fine. My sister doesn’t need that shit right now, either.”

He exhaled and stared into her green eyes, wondering who in the world hurt this woman so badly to make her become so distrustful and resistant to being helped—by a man, especially.

“I’m not pushing the issue, even though I’m certain the Cartwright men are going to be giving me shit for not trying to enforce this law we have in town, and especially after this break-in. You need to take the extra precautions and we’ll work on our end to figure out who broke in here. Zeke will be by often to check up on you and to maybe offer some advice on the security systems with his brother Aero.”

“Why? I’m looking into various companies once I get the approval for the addition and construction.”

“Aero works for Jesse Cortland. Jesse has a big security company that works everything from low-end to high-end facilities. I’m certain Aero could get him to make a good deal for you and help with any and all questions you have.”

She squinted at him and then licked her lower lip.

“Are you trying to be sneaky about the guardians thing and get certain men in here to watch over my sister and me?” she asked.

He chuckled.

“Why would you ask that? Do you find the Cartwright men interesting or likable enough to allow them closer than you’ve let any other men?” he pushed.

She snorted.

“You’re good, Chief, but not that good. I’ll make my own decisions on a security company and a construction company, and maybe one not so closely connected to the board,” she countered.

He nodded his head and then said good night. All he kept thinking was that if the Cartwright men were interested in Brooklyn, then they were going to have one hell of a time trying to get her to let down her guard and give them a chance. This could be very interesting, indeed.

Brooklyn was by the stove cooking up some eggs for her and Antonia. They had an appointment with Dr. Cortland in an hour and Antonia didn’t want to go. She didn’t want to see the town or to talk to anyone.

“It won’t take long. He just has to make sure the stitches are healing and there’s no redness or chance of infection.”

“There isn’t. You had stitches before. You saw them and it’s fine.”

Brooklyn felt a twinge of embarrassment and pain. She didn’t want to recall that time in her life or the incident with Kevin that had ended so badly. She avoided jail time on self-defense and Kevin got caught and charged with federal counts of forging signatures and changing financial records, which won her money in court against him. That three hundred thousand was still coming in drips and drabs. Her lawyer pushed for emotional damages caused by his attack and sexual assault on her, never mind him swindling her out of money they both invested in a project. That slimy fuck had been stealing right out from under her nose and she was so damn stupid to trust him. The only positive outcome from the situation was the money she' won in court and knowing that the slime bag would be stuck in jail for a long time, hopefully feeling what it was like to be sexually assaulted, attacked, and held against his will.

“Listen, word travels fast around here. I’ve already been asked a bunch of times last night about you, and before the night was over, I was asked if you were okay and if there was anything people could do to help.”

Her sister widened her eyes.

“It’s the town, Antonia. It’s special like that,” she told her.

“So basically people will know I was assaulted.”

“Well, duh. You needed stitches and you have a black eye and a bruised cheekbone. It’s obvious you were assaulted. No one needs to know anything more. I’m protecting you, remember?”

“Well, I’d like to see the Filling Station. You’ve told me so much about it over the past year,” she said and then picked at her nails. “Ray wouldn’t let me visit. I asked, Brooklyn, but it was like he was afraid I wouldn’t come back.”

Brooklyn set the plate of eggs and bacon down in front of her sister.

“I probably would have tried to talk you into staying, but you wouldn’t have.”

Antonia’s eyes welled up with tears. She stared at the plate of eggs and bacon.

“You warned me about him. You knew from the start that he wasn’t right for me.”

“You didn’t like Kevin, either.”

She looked up at Brooklyn as she took a seat and lifted her fork.

“That’s not true. I did like him and was actually envious of you to have landed such a wealthy, successful businessman. He was supporting your dreams and helping with your investments.”

“He was ripping me off, finagling things to make me take the fall for shit he did while I allowed him to take me to bed and make me promises I knew he wouldn’t keep.”

Antonia squinted at her.

“You didn’t love him or think he was telling you the truth?”

“I saw what I wanted to see. What I hoped was true and believable, even though I knew it wasn’t. I wasn’t so perfect either, Antonia. I did things, too. I focused on the money, on the big deal win and not the people who could get hurt along the way. I got caught up in the cat-and-mouse thing and somehow wound up the mouse. The positive of the business dealings and cutthroat deals was I learned to read people better, to trust my instincts, and to survive on my own. I won’t ever do anything again that involves depending on another person. If I can’t do it alone, then I don’t do it at all or I die trying. People are not trustworthy or reliable, and definitely not men.” She took a bite full of egg and Antonia nodded.

“You don’t need to tell me that twice. It sounds like we did the same thing. I wanted to believe that Ray only wanted me and didn’t want to stray or make love to another woman other than me. He said things to me for months. Things that realistically I knew meant that he was getting bored and he wanted excitement in the bedroom.”

“Excitement in the bedroom? Like what? Handcuffs, sex games?”

“Other people.”

“Oh.” Brooklyn swallowed hard. “Other men, like a ménage?”

Antonia shook her head. “More like an orgy. A free-for-all.”

“Damn. Wait, that’s what happened the night he hurt you?”

Antonia played with the eggs on her plate with the fork and then looked toward the window and living room. “I don’t want to talk about it. I just want to put it all behind me.”

She looked back at Brooklyn, who felt so bad for her sister and for the pain she had to feel. Brooklyn knew she really loved Ray and was willing to accept him. Probably even if he cheated on her. It was their damn mother’s fault. They might never find a man they could trust. They more than likely would only have one another, just like they always had.

Antonia exhaled.

“Can I see the Filling Station after the doctor’s office visit?”

Brooklyn smiled. “If you’re up to it.”

“I will be. I’m not going to mope around here all week. Maybe I can work in the back until my bruises heal?”

“I’ll figure something out if you’re really up to it. I could use your help with the construction details.”

“I thought that guy Finnian didn’t show up at the meeting you mentioned.”

“Another meeting is scheduled for tomorrow. I think he’ll show up and give the approval. Especially since the Chief was concerned about the break-in.”

“Aren’t you concerned about that, too?”

Brooklyn shook her head. “I have a feeling I might know who it was. I’ll figure it out, and in the meantime, you could learn the ropes and maybe become a manager so we can keep the business in the family.”

Antonia smiled. “You think I could handle it? It’s been years since I even worked in a restaurant.”

“You have a knack for it and for people. You’ll do great, and you’re trustworthy, too. Let’s finish breakfast and head into town. Then we’ll take a trip to the Filling Station.”

* * * *

Antonia grabbed her sister’s arm the moment they came out of the doctor’s office and saw the Chief of Police. He was right on the sidewalk talking to two other large men. One thing Antonia had noticed about this town immediately was that the men outnumbered the women and people were very attractive. She swallowed hard as Brooklyn turned her the opposite way from where they parked.

“How about a little tour? Just a few stores. I need to go into the hardware store to get something for the office door at work.”

“I thought you were going to find some sort of temporary alarm?”

“I can’t think of a thing. I think a deadbolt should do fine. It’s all about the length of the screws you put in the actual door frame, anyway. The longer they are, the more secure the lock is.”

“Brooklyn!” They both heard her name and Antonia stopped even though Brooklyn tried pulling her along.

“I don’t think pretending not to see them is going to work,” Antonia said. She knew her sister was trying to protect her. Brooklyn looked at her.

Brooklyn exhaled and they turned around.

“Hey, Chief,” she said and he gave a look that said he knew her sister tried to evade him and his friends. One look at the two men the Chief was with and Antonia was glad she wore the sunglasses. They couldn’t see her eyes and she was grateful. Both men were very big and attractive. One of them had tattoos along his arms and the other wouldn’t take his eyes off of Brooklyn.

“Antonia, this is Aero Cartwright and my brother, Gino,” the Chief introduced the other men.

Aero reached his hand out first for her to shake hello. She slowly reached out and shook his hand. He released it, and Gino took her hand to say hello and instantly she felt some sort of vibe from him. She pulled away and leaned against Brooklyn.

“Nice to meet you,” she said to them, but she found it interesting that Aero was in a dead stare at Brooklyn.

“Did everything go well at the doctor’s office?” the Chief asked, and Antonia felt embarrassed. Could these men—strangers—know what happened to her? Was Brooklyn right about it being such a small town that there was no privacy?

She didn’t respond, but Brooklyn did. “Everything is fine, Chief. I thought we discussed this the other night.”

“The other night?” he asked her.

“Yes, at the restaurant, when I told you I’m taking care of my sister and there’s no need to worry. Now if you’ll excuse us, we have a few errands to run. Take care, Gino, Aero,” she said and then Antonia looked away from Gino, who was squinting at her like he was trying to see through her sunglasses. She had an odd feeling as Brooklyn pulled her along the sidewalk and then into the hardware store.

“That was so weird. What are they after, really?” Antonia asked. Brooklyn looked at her and she felt her cheeks warm. “I sound paranoid, huh?”

“I had the same reaction when I first arrived here. It’s normal and soon you’ll come to realize that they don’t have alternative agendas but to actually help out and be supportive.”

“Are you serious? You accept that, from strange men?”

“Of course not, which is probably why this won’t be the last time I bump heads with the Chief. I know he cares, and that this town has rules like what I’ve shared with you the last two days.”

“Rules that you don’t feel comfortable with and neither do I. Especially considering our experience with the men who have entered our lives,” Antonia said and she felt tears fill her eyes. Brooklyn hugged her shoulder.

“We have each other, remember that. Now, what do you think about this one?” Brooklyn asked and Antonia chuckled.

“I haven’t seen the door that was broken into but I think that lock may be too extreme.”

“I don’t know. A deadbolt can keep out even someone with a crowbar, if need be. By the time they make all that racket to get through the door, they’ve alerted a bunch of people to the break-in. I think it’s worth it.”

“Overkill, like your sister said.”

They both turned around to see Aero standing there. Antonia could see her sister’s face go flush as she glanced at Brooklyn and then back at him.

“Eavesdropping so soon? We only met two nights ago,” she said to him, shocking Antonia that her sister would be so rude, but apparently not Aero, who chuckled.

“It was indeed a special first meeting, but I’m certain one of many others.”

“Really?” Brooklyn countered, and Antonia could see the way that Aero looked at Brooklyn. He liked her, so why was her sister being fresh?

She knew the answer even as she asked the question.

* * * *

Brooklyn tried not to look the handsome cowboy over, but it was difficult. He was very attractive and rugged, sort of. He had some tattoos along his arm that just peeked out from his short sleeve shirt, adding to his appeal. She wasn’t sure why she felt a little off-kilter when he was around. She’d had the oddest reaction to him and his brothers the other night at the Filling Station.

“Like now, seeing you walk in here and looking over deadbolts. Are you trying to find a temporary fix to the situation at the restaurant?” he asked, moving closer. He reached for the deadbolt she held in her hand and covered her hand with his. She didn’t release it but tightened up as she stared way up into his dark blue eyes. The guy was lethal up close.