The Battlefield Series 1: Let It Go (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  “Well, someone has to do all the paperwork and write out checks for the bills,” she replied and gave them a wink. She kept walking past the other men and a few women who took up all the seats around the large bar. She headed past the big fireplace that was set in the large wall that separated the bar and dance floor from the main restaurant. It was packed tonight, like every night of the week.

  Not that the dining area was big. She could fit about ten tables but was looking to fit double that after the construction was complete. She closed down Sundays and Mondays but had been asked to host private parties on Sunday afternoons, so she obliged when those came up. She was going to have to start looking for a manager to help her run the place. Perhaps her sister could eventually do that job?

  As she thought about her sister, she glanced at her watch. When would Antonia call her?

  As she passed the crowded dining area and saw all the people waiting to be seated, she felt bad. It was going to be a great improvement to have a larger dining area and a bigger kitchen. That is, if the town board approved the expansion. She hadn’t gotten any indication of a yes or a no, just that the main board member who dealt with these kinds of things, Finnian Cartwright, was away on business but would look over the request. Again. He’d been a no-show three times. She’d had enough of the jerk. She figured when she finally did meet him, they wouldn’t hit it off at all, but instead would wind up as enemies. She disliked the man and hadn’t even met him yet. Wasn’t that the opposite reaction to all the other people of Repose she’d met or made friends with thus far?

  She shook her head at the crazy thought.

  She accepted the game he was playing, because she knew that Repose was a small town wanting to maintain its small town ways. However, she also knew of Finnian Cartwright, and heard his family was the one who helped establish Repose over a hundred years ago. That obviously wasn’t a person or a family name to piss off. Besides that, it was his own family that sold her the run-down shack of a gas station and the property surrounding it. Although, Finnian Cartwright owned the land around that. Either way, she would need to play nice, because technically they were neighbors and ultimately he could screw her by putting any number of things near the Filling Station. Like perhaps a larger chain restaurant? She cringed just thinking the guy could be that much of a dick. She’d deal with it just like she dealt with other men who thought women didn’t belong in business.

  Her bar, the Filling Station, had shocked a lot of locals. The original building had been a mess, an old filling station and convenience store. She renovated it, maintaining its old-fashioned gas station charm with authentic collectibles that were originally part of the place. She incorporated a lot of the old materials, including the car lift, which she had turned into a winding staircase that led up to a balcony that overlooked the dance floor. It gave the place character and also reminded her a lot of her father, and a time when things had been pretty normal.

  Thoughts of him brought on thoughts of Antonia. She glanced at her cell phone. Call me, baby girl. Let me know you’re out of New York and on the plane. Come on now.

  Chapter 2

  “So are you avoiding her on purpose or what?” Jagger asked Finnian.

  “Avoiding who?” Finnian asked.

  “You know who. The woman who stole Grandpa’s old gas station right out from under us, that’s who,” Jagger added and chuckled.

  He shook his head and then took another slug of beer from the bottle. They were both by the pool table waiting for their brother Aero to get back from a small construction job and for Zeke to get off work at the police station.

  “She didn’t steal it out from under us. Mom and the dads decided to let it go and not keep it in the family. I get that and it’s a done deal.”

  “Finnian, it’s a great place and gaining more and more patrons on a regular basis. Eventually we’re going to have to go see it for ourselves instead of supporting your stupid strike against the place.”

  “I’m not striking against it. I had my own ideas for it,” Finnian replied.

  “Nothing like what the owner came up with. Besides, you’re so busy with the town board and the private construction business, never mind those contracts with the government, you would have never gotten around to making it anything. None of us would. I kind of like the idea that Grandpa’s old place is alive and kicking.”

  Finnian held the pool stick and looked at his brother.

  “Maybe not, but she walked right into negotiations with the dads and Mom and had them selling it to her in minutes. Who’s to say she isn’t some manipulating New Yorker taking advantage of the nice, unknowing townsfolk of Repose? I’ve seen it before. She’s using our town’s history, our family’s history, to profit for herself. The woman is bad news. I say let her stew a little before I approve an addition to the place.”

  “It’s in the middle of nowhere and we own all the land around it and were planning on putting in some boutique shops.”

  “Don’t forget another big restaurant, too. I was thinking a chain restaurant right in front of the entrance so it’s the first thing people see when they get into town.”

  “Why would we do that when the Filling Station is right there? And with her expanding, then she can accommodate the traffic of people looking for food and a good atmosphere. The overflow can head a little ways further into town.”

  “Have you met this woman yet?” Finnian asked him.

  “You know I haven’t.”

  “Well, she’s from New York. She ain’t even a Texan. We can’t be just giving shit away to anyone who wants to stake a claim to our land, our culture, and a Texas way of living. Some city girl isn’t going to come in here and kill that small-town, country feeling.”

  “Oh, brother,” Jagger said and crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Way I hear it, she is a mighty fine-looking woman and has a keen sense for business. We’ve all been away for a while. I say the four of us go check it out tomorrow night.”

  Finnian exhaled.

  “Maybe.”

  * * * *

  Antonia was shaking and she felt exhausted as the train stopped and she grabbed her two suitcases. A glance through the tinted windows of the train and she could tell it was really dark out. She didn’t want to wait in the dark alone. She hoped that Brooklyn was there waiting. Thank God she had her sister.

  As she made her way off the train, a nice young cowboy offered to help her with her bags. She shook her head and he squinted at her, immediately seeing her bruised cheekbone. He was probably wondering why she wore the sunglasses, but her eye was starting to turn black and blue.

  “Darling, I’m just being helpful.” He took one bag and climbed down the steps with it. One of the people who helped on the train grabbed her other bag and then she held on to the railing and stepped off the train.

  “Thank you,” she whispered and he gave her a wink before walking away and toward the exit.

  A glance around the station and she felt scared, thinking she was going to have to wait here alone, when suddenly she heard her name.

  “Antonia!” She turned around and spotted Brooklyn walking quickly toward her in high heels and business attire. She ran to her and they embraced.

  “Thank God,” Brooklyn exclaimed.

  Antonia couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. She finally was safe. Brooklyn always protected her. She would protect her now, and Ray would never find her or hurt her again.

  * * * *

  “Damn son of a bitch. He did this to you?” Brooklyn asked Antonia as her sister sat on the edge of the bed and showed Brooklyn the damage. She had a cut along the underside of her breast and it was kind of deep.

  “You need stitches. Fuck,” she exclaimed and covered her mouth and thought about what to do and who to take her to. Dr. Nevin Cortland was a really nice young doctor who had worked with his father’s practice for years. His cousin was the Chief of Police, though, and Cesar Cortland was one intimidating retired Marine. He would ask questions. />
  “Oh, God, it’s going to leave a scar, isn’t it? He did this on purpose to make me remember him and not leave him. No other man will want to touch me or be with me. I’m ugly and dirty and—”

  “Stop it. You are not ugly and dirty. He didn’t succeed. You got the hell out of there. Listen to me.”

  She placed her hands on her sister’s shoulders and looked at the cuts on her chest and the bruising on her cheeks, the bruises and red marks along her arms and her thighs.

  “I’ve got you now. I’m going to protect you and keep you safe and he will never lay a hand on you again. I promise. You need to trust me about this town, about the people in it. It’s different than New York, than most places. You have to trust me.”

  She saw the tears roll down Antonia’s cheeks. “I trust you. No one but you,” she said. Brooklyn gave her a nod and then she pulled out her cell phone. She held her sister’s gaze as it rang and rang. It was one o’clock in the morning.

  “Hello?” She expected to hear a groggy voice, thinking she pulled the man out of a sound sleep, but instead he sounded wide awake.

  “Dominick, I have a problem. I need help but I need things to remain quiet.”

  “How bad? What do you need? I can be there in five minutes.”

  “A doctor that can do stitches and not ask too many questions.”

  “Shit. Your sister?” he asked, and she was a little surprised that he said that. But then again, Dominick was always watching out for her and knew what was going on most of the time.

  “Yes.”

  “Nevin can help. I’ll call him and then I’ll pick you both up and bring you to him.”

  “I can go with her. You don’t need to get out of bed for this.”

  “I’m here for you and we’re friends. Be ready.”

  She disconnected the call. Antonia sealed her lips and looked so scared and fragile. She looked timid, withdrawn, and very thin, to boot, which made Brooklyn think that things had been going badly for her sister and Ray for quite some time. Why hadn’t she called her sooner? She didn’t want to ask and get into it with her now. The first thing they needed to do was get those stitches, and then they would talk about what went down and how life was going to change for the better.

  “A good friend, my chef for the Filling Station, is on his way over. We’re going to bring you to the doctor.”

  “What about the police? I don’t want to go to the police or press charges or even let Ray know where I am.”

  “Honey, I’ll try my best to keep the Chief at bay, but there’s a lot I didn’t get to tell you about this town. We’ll work it out and I’ll protect you. I promise.”

  * * * *

  Dr. Nevin Cortland swallowed hard the moment he caught sight of Brooklyn and her sister as they entered the back door to the office along with Dominick. He shook Dominick’s hand and even he looked pissed off. Nevin immediately saw the resemblance between the two sisters. Brooklyn was just a little taller, but the two women could be twins. He saw the scratches by her sister’s neck despite the fact the young woman held a light black sweater tightly in her grasp. He saw the bruising on her cheekbone and redness, too. One eye was beginning to bruise a little. He tempered his anger at the sight. Someone really hurt this woman and he wanted to know who.

  “Dr. Cortland, this is my sister Antonia. Antonia, this is the doctor. His family has been practicing medicine in Repose since its existence,” Brooklyn said and gave him a smile, but she held on to her sister’s arm.

  “He’s good people and trustworthy,” Dominick stated as he stood by the doorway.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Antonia. Why don’t you come sit down and show me this cut your sister thinks you need stitches for?”

  She looked at Brooklyn with tears in her eyes and every instinct in his body told him that she was scared and running from the danger that had caused her injuries.

  “Dr. Cortland,” Brooklyn said his name.

  She approached and whispered to him as Antonia sat down on the examining table.

  “Something bad went down in New York with her boyfriend. Well, ex-boyfriend now. He cut her under her breast,” Brooklyn told him with tears in her eyes. He swallowed hard as he glanced at Antonia, who was a very attractive young woman.

  He was trying to remain professional here and not focus on wanting to get his hands on the person who caused her injuries. One glance at Dominick and he knew he was feeling the same things. The man looked ready to kill.

  “You know we have rules in this town. If she’s in danger, if someone is after her or she was sexually assaulted, then the Chief needs to be called.”

  She shook her head.

  “They weren’t successful,” Antonia whispered, voice cracking, and even Brooklyn widened her eyes at the use of the word they.

  They? Fuck.

  “Please, Nevin, don’t ask her a bunch of questions. There’ll be time for that. Right now I need to know her injuries are taken care of. Please help us out?”

  “I’ll take care of her. I promise,” he said and then he smiled at Antonia.

  “Why don’t you lie down and let me have a look?”

  Brooklyn helped Antonia and it was obvious that her sister needed to assist. The tears in Antonia’s eyes spilled over onto the examining table as she lay down. His gut clenched. He had seen so much as a medic in the service and serving in the critical care unit, but somehow, right now, not knowing what happened to this beautiful young woman or how bad the cut was going to be, he felt on edge and sick. Brooklyn helped ease her sister’s fears and she caressed her hair and helped to lift her top.

  Nevin noticed the bruising, finger marks, and scratches.

  He locked gazes with Dominick a moment, who remained back but could see the injuries. Then Nevin looked at Brooklyn, whose bold green eyes held his gaze with intensity. He couldn’t help but to think that Brooklyn didn’t trust easily for her own reasons and was here for her sister’s sake only.

  As he removed the bandages that showed signs of blood seeping through, he swallowed hard. The cut was deep, directly under her breast.

  “Jesus. What happened? Who is responsible for this?”

  Brooklyn looked at Antonia, who held the doctor’s gaze. “Please, just do the stitches,” she whispered with tears leaking from the same bold green eyes she shared with Brooklyn.

  He took a deep breath. There would be time to discuss the rules later. Right now he needed to focus on doing these stitches and hoping the poor young woman wouldn’t be scarred forever.

  * * * *

  Brooklyn wasn’t shocked to see the Chief show up just as the doctor finished up and was checking the bruising on Antonia’s cheek.

  Dominick shook his hand hello and the Chief looked at Antonia and then Brooklyn.

  He had a shadow of a beard along his cheeks and was dressed in casual attire, black jeans, a button-down shirt in navy blue. He was hardcore, supposedly a Special Forces guy and survivalist or something, from what she heard. She rarely saw him and he only came into the Filling Station for a burger or to check on her to make sure she didn’t have any concerns. As he looked at Antonia, he squinted his eyes, and Antonia lowered her head and hid from him.

  “I told Dr. Cortland that it wasn’t necessary to have you come here. It’s late,” she said to him. He stared at Brooklyn and looked her over. Brooklyn had changed into a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. Both men were over six feet tall and towered over her. Her sister was definitely intimidated.

  “You know the rules. A call this late at night with a woman needing stitches is not so common,” he said to her and walked into the room. Brooklyn took position by her sister and practically stood in front of her. She looked at Dominick, who raised one of his eyebrows up at her like he hadn’t made the call to the Chief. That left Nevin. The Chief wasn’t stupid, he picked up on her protective stance. She wasn’t stupid either. He ran a tight town, so of course the local doctor who was called in the middle of the night would inform him. Especially becaus
e a woman was in trouble. She really couldn’t fault him for that, but she wasn’t going to let the Chief or anyone else think that she needed protection.

  He placed one hand on his hip and one on the holster of the gun he wore.

  “Are you going to introduce me to the sister I didn’t know you had?” he asked.

  “Chief Cortland, meet Antonia. Antonia, the head honcho of Repose,” she said and the Chief gave Antonia a small smile.

  “Welcome to Repose. Sorry that we met under such circumstances. However, maybe this is the best opportunity to inform you about the rules.”

  “Rules?” Antonia asked with a quivering voice. She grabbed on to Brooklyn, and the Chief as well as the doctor noticed her fearful move.

  “Our most important one here, Antonia, is that all women are protected from any danger they may be in, or the potential for danger. We’re a close-knit town and we watch out for one another and give a helping hand. Your sister knows this. She’s been giving a lot of people in need assistance since arriving here.” He gave Brooklyn a small smirk.

  So he knew that she hired a few soldiers who were down and out and a couple of waitresses who, like her sister, had bad luck with men or had children to care for. Not all women could be as strong-minded and determined as Brooklyn had taught herself to be.

  “It’s a great town, Chief. I think my sister is going to learn to love it here and to be able to have a new start,” she said, holding his gaze.

  He looked at her deeply and as if he wanted to say more but was getting her drift about taking it slow. He was damn intimidating, like most of the men in this town, but she wouldn’t back down. Her sister came first now. She needed her protection.

  He looked at Antonia and stepped closer. He eyed her over and Antonia pulled her sweater tighter against her chest.

  He stared at her cheek.

  “I run a safe town and don’t tolerate trouble of any kind. As I mentioned, we protect our community and all those who live here. I need to ask you if the person responsible for the damage to your beautiful skin will be making their way here to continue to try and hurt you?”