Adored (Masters and Mercenaries #8.5)(50)

The door to the deli opened and she gasped in surprise. Mitch stood there, his face a bright red as he looked over the customers, his eyes finally falling on her. His jaw hardened and a nasty light hit his eyes.

She hadn’t had enough time. She needed more. She’d already told herself she could take a few days and figure out how to broach the subject of his father with him. It looked like her time had completely run out. There was nothing to do but brazen through. She smiled his way. “Mitchell, we’re over here.”

Flynn began to turn, but it was too little too late. Mitch crossed the space between them in a few long strides and had a hand on Flynn’s shirt, hauling him up. “You think you can f*ck around with my woman?”

“Mitch!” She was horrified. She watched as Mitch’s fist came out and connected with Flynn’s face with an audible crack. She stood up and tried to move between them. Flynn was stepping back, his hand on his jaw. He stepped between her and Mitch, placing himself between them.

Mitch didn’t take it well. As she tried to move around him, Mitch reached out, dragging her to his side. There was a wild look in his eyes as he looked down at her. “You will get in the car and wait for me there while I deal with your boyfriend. Don’t even think about walking away from me, Laurel. You won’t like what happens if you walk away from me.”

“I don’t think I like what’s happening right now,” a new voice said. She looked through tear-filled eyes at the man who had come to stand behind her. He was roughly six foot three, with dark hair he’d pulled back in a queue at the back of his neck. He was dressed in jeans and a black T-shirt that showed off broad shoulders and a chest to die for. He stepped between her and Mitch. “You might be paying me, boss, but you’re paying me to protect her, and in my mind that means I protect her from everyone—including you. You need to take a couple of minutes and get your head right before you talk to the lady again.”

“What the hell was that for?” Flynn stared at his brother.

Laurel was still trying to process what the guy with the slow Cajun accent had said. He was being paid by Mitch?

“She’s taken, *. And she probably didn’t bother to tell you, but she’s pregnant.” Mitch stepped toward Flynn, looking like a bull about to charge.

The guy, who was apparently supposed to protect her, gently grasped her elbow and pulled her back from the brothers. “Yes, she’s pregnant, and that’s a damn good reason to be civil around her, Bradford.”

Flynn stopped and stared at Mitch for a minute. “You don’t even know who I am. You have no f*cking idea who I am.”

Mitch didn’t know what his brother looked like? She tried to step around the bodyguard she hadn’t even known she had, but he was apparently serious about his job.

“Not on my life, chère. Those men aren’t going to listen to you. Bradford’s got his panties in a wad, and the best thing for you to do is let him have his hissy fit.”

“I’m not having a hissy fit and you’re fired, Guidry. And why the f*ck would I…” Mitch stared for a moment. “Flynn?”

She tried to shove around Guidry. “Yes, it’s your brother, Mitch. Not that you told me you have one.” She frowned at the bodyguard, who still wasn’t letting her through. “He said you were fired.”

“Ain’t no one firing me but the big guy. When Taggart says I can go home, I will. Though I still probably wouldn’t. I don’t like the look in that man’s eyes.” Guidry kept his gaze on Mitch, though she was fairly certain she still wouldn’t get around the man. “Since this is a family matter, why don’t you take this someplace less public, gentlemen? I think all the testosterone is making it difficult for the other patrons to enjoy their lunch.”

Mitch turned around. “You’re right. Laurel, get in the car. We’ll discuss this at home.”

She looked back and saw that Flynn’s face had fallen. “I think you should talk to Flynn.”

Mitch pointed toward the door. “I think you should remember our contract. You don’t tell me what to do, baby. You follow orders. Get in the car. I won’t ask again and punishment for disobeying me won’t be pleasant.”

“Punishment?” Flynn stepped up.

God save her from over-dramatic men. “I’m fine. He has never and will never hurt me.”

“There’s a first time for everything,” Mitch said in a low growl.

His panties really were in a wad. What had gotten him to stalk in here like an angry bear? Had he thought she was cheating on him with his brother and a chicken salad sandwich? “I’m not going anywhere until I’m sure you’re not going to kill your brother, and you can also explain the Cajun dude who seems to think he’s supposed to protect me. How long has that been going on?”

She was pleased with her calm tone of voice. It was obvious none of the men were going to remain calm, so she had to.

Mitch turned and she watched as he visibly forced himself to chill. He reached for her and then stopped, his eyes closing as he took a deep breath and seemed to mentally count. When they opened again, his blue eyes were icy cold. “Laurel, we’ll discuss this at home. For now, the police need to talk to you. Someone broke into your apartment and trashed the place. This is Remy Guidry. I hired him because someone nearly killed you and I wanted to ensure your safety. He’s watched you when I couldn’t. As for my brother, he’s none of your business and the fact that you would talk to him behind my back makes me question your loyalty—another thing we’ll discuss this evening. Don’t be surprised if I ask for that collar back.”