Standing By (Road House) (4 page)

“I thought I made it very clear,” he barked. “I’m. Not. Interested.”

He could see her flinch with every word, and felt guilt for it, but she had caused this. Just couldn’t leave well enough alone. Had to pull his family into this.

Pan all but jumped off the couch and turned to his family.

“It was nice to meet you,” she said. The words seemed to choke in her throat.

Emilio watched, stunned as she turned to Nic.

“No more alleys for you. Be careful.”

His heart raced when she turned to him. All the pain and anguish he had tossed at her, written clearly on her face. Tears shimmered in her eyes as she fled past him.

He jumped when he heard the bang of the front door and the roar of her driving off.

Emilio turned to his family and doubled over in pain. He looked up to find his brother breathing heavy, his fist clenched in rage.

“You’re such a dick! She saved my life, and you ran her off.” Nic burst out of the room and stomped up the stairs.

“Asshole,” his sister, Maria, muttered as she walked out.

“Somebody want to tell me what the hell is going on around here?” He stared at his mother, the voice of reason.

“Well, maybe you should have asked that first instead of running your mouth.”

She walked into the kitchen and Emilio followed.

“Sit down, and I’ll get your stupid ass something to eat. And then we can talk about that nice girl that saved your brother.” Emilio flinched. His mother got out bread, cheese and meat. If he was getting a sandwich, there was no doubt his mother was mad.

“Why do I get the feeling I’m going to look like an ass in the end?”

Mama Diaz stared pointedly at him. “If the shoe fits…”

***

Emilio sighed. Yes, he was an ass. Several sandwiches later and one brave tale of rescue, Emilio quickly realized what an ass he had been. Here he’d accused her of basically stalking him when all she had been trying to do was return his brother safely home.

“So what’s the deal with you and this woman?” His mother’s knowing brown eyes pinned him. She had never been one to mince words. Coming from an Italian family meant getting to the point. Her wavy, black hair framed her sweet face. It was no wonder she got away with being as blunt as she was.

“There’s no deal.” This was the last conversation he wanted to have with her.

“But you want there to be?” A well-defined brow lifted in question.

“Doesn’t matter. I can’t get her involved in this.” Emilio put his plate in the sink to avoid looking at his mother.

“Seems to me like she already is.”

He turned around to look at her.

“Not like this. It’s dangerous.”

“She’s already in danger from what I got.” Nic popped into the kitchen and stared hard at his brother.

“What do you mean?” Emilio said. His heart beat hard in his chest. This was not good.

“Well first of all, she stepped in to save me. She was waving a big fucking knife around.”

“Language!” his mother shouted.

“Second, she said something about having unfinished business with Max, and he said something about knowing her bike.” Nic sat down and gave Emilio a meaningful stare. “And no one has unfinished business with Max.”

Emilio nearly swallowed his tongue. His brother was right. No one had unfinished business with Max. It just didn’t work that way. Max was the guy you called if you wanted to tie up unfinished business.

He walked over to the table and put his head in his hands. All this time he spent staying away from her. Keeping her out of trouble. Only to find the damn woman had walked right into it. Not that he wasn’t grateful. Knowing they were beating his brother made him want to start breaking heads, but this had to be handled with care. Max was no idiot, and Emilio wanted to make sure whatever happed would stick.

He sighed. This was going to complicate things.

“Well I need to get to bed,” his mother said. “Long day at the hospital tomorrow.” His mother kissed them both and went upstairs.

“Nicoli, what the hell were you thinking?” Emilio couldn’t hide the emotion in his voice.

“What?” Nic crossed his arms, ready to do battle. “I did what I had to. They call, and you come.”

Emilio slammed his palm on the table.

“No! They call and I come. Not you!” He could feel the veins in his neck pulsing. “What do you think would have happened if Pan hadn’t gotten to you?”

Nic shrugged. Emilio had to stand up. Pacing might help keep his emotions under control.

“These men make people disappear all the time. Why do you think dad ran out?” He stopped and stared at his brother. “Listen, he ran out owing them a lot of money. There’s only so much I can pay at a time, but you let me deal with them.” He squatted in front of Nic and grabbed his shoulders. “You are turning into a fine man. Mama and Maria need you. I’ll handle the rest.”

“What about Pan?” Nic looked like the boy he was, a boy forced to grow up way too quickly.

Emilio shook his head. “You let me worry about Pan.”

Nic stared hard at him and finally nodded. A big yawn forced him to his feet.

“You hurt her,” Nic said as he reached the door to the hall. “Don’t do it again.”

Emilio watched him climb the stairs and breathed a sigh when he heard the bedroom door shut.

He pulled his cell out of his pocket and flipped through. Calling her was the only option. Emilio only hoped she would listen.

Chapter Five

“Just clasp, damn you!” Pan felt like throwing the boot across the room but knew it wouldn’t accomplish anything. Besides, it wasn’t the boot’s fault she was in such a pissy mood.

All day she’d listened to the phone ring and fought to not pick up. For once, Emilio was chasing her, and she didn’t want to be caught. After the way things were left last night, she didn’t know if she could see him without twisting his junk so hard he sang soprano for the rest of his days.

The latch slipped into place, and she stood to examine herself. She’d ditched her normal tank, jeans and boots. What was the point of going on a date if she wasn’t going to dress up? The green flirty long sleeve dress flowed just mid-thigh. It had been years since she’d put on a dress, but it just fit her mood. Her long, chestnut hair matched nicely with the dress. She had debated curling it but decided that was a bit too fru-fru for her. Despite all this, she had given in to the need for boots. But at least these had a heel and looked less like the kind to kick ass and more the kind a man would want wrapped around his waist.

Pan looked down. Yes, this dress and boot combo was killing it in the leg department.

A knock came from downstairs. Pan grabbed her purse and went down to greet Tyler.

As she got closer to the door, she noticed a black car with dark-tinted windows just across the street, a car that stood out like a sore thumb and most certainly didn’t belong parked outside the store. Pan stared hard at the car, trying to make out anything she could. As if they knew she were watching, the car started up and zoomed away.

Pan sighed. Just another thing to worry about. She’d already talked with Luc about the incidents and pushed for Iris to take some time off from the store. He’d wanted them both to take some time off until things cooled down, but Pan knew the chances of Iris allowing the store to be closed that long. Then, they would be right back where they started, or she would have to worry her sister by telling her why they needed to close. Not really at the top of her list.

Pan shook her head. She was not going to let this ruin her night and opened the door to a very handsome Tyler.

“Wow,” Tyler said. “I didn’t realize we were getting so dressed up.” He looked down at his own clothes.

He looked fine to her. Jeans, clean rock t-shirt and boots.

“I just wanted to try something different.” She gave him a warm smile. “So, where are we going to eat?”

Pan locked the door and turned around. Tyler gave her a sheepish smile.

“Well, I didn’t really know what you liked to eat, so I thought I would let you pick.” He ran a hand through his spiked hair.

“Great!” Pan walked to his car. “We can go to Blondie’s. My friend Anna just took over the place and could use the customers.”

“Sounds good to me.” Tyler opened her door and then went around to his own.

The two kept things very on the surface as they drove to the diner. Aside from the occasional direction, they mostly talked about bikes. This was fine, but it was becoming very clear to her that they just really didn’t have that spark.

By the time they had parked and seated in the diner, they were laughing and joking like they would any night.

“Oh, Pan, I’m so glad to see you!” Anna rushed over to their table. “Did you take care of that poor little guy from yesterday?”

Pan smiled. Anna was always worrying about others. It was how she ended up suckered into owning the diner.

“Yup. Home with his mama.” Pan ignored the questioning looks from Tyler.

“I’m so glad. Looked like someone had really worked him over.” Anna blushed and looked between Tyler and Pan. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Tyler.” He stuck out his hand, and Pan noticed the glint in his eye. Yes, that was the glint of a man in lust. Not that she was surprised. Anna was a knock out. If she wasn’t so shy when it came to men, she would have long ago been married.

Anna cautiously took his hand and smiled nervously. Pan could see her breathing increase and the pulse strumming in her neck.

“Yes, well,” Anna stepped back quickly, bumping hard into the table behind her, “How about some pie? Yes, pie would be good.” And just like that, she was off.

Pan could tell how affected Anna was when she heard a crash from the back. Poor girl must have really been booking.

She turned to Tyler who was still staring at the doors Anna had disappeared behind. His head shot around when she cleared her throat. Pan arched an eyebrow at him, causing him to duck his head.

Pan sighed. “She’s single.”

Tyler’s head shot up.

“You’re going to have to work for it though. She’s shy with men.”

Tyler nodded but then scrunched up his brow. “Did you just give me the green light when we’re on a date?”

Pan reached across and patted his hand.

“We both know we’re better as friends. And I’m telling you right now,” Pan squeezed his hand a little, “If you are just looking for some ass, move on. Anna needs a full-time man.”

Tyler sat up straight and nodded.

Anna came out and slid two pies in front of them. It hadn’t really been the dinner Pan was wanting, but with the state the poor girl was in, she was surprised to even see her again.

She and Tyler started chatting again about bikes and before she knew it, the pie was finished. They smiled awkwardly at one another.

“Ready to ditch this date and go to the bar?”

Tyler laughed. “Sounds good to me.”

Tyler tossed down some money to cover the bill plus tip.

Pan waved at Anna from across the room. Yes, they would make an interesting couple. She chuckled.

***

Emilio sat at a table with the guys, hoping to see her. He had to tell her that he was sorry. The phone in his hand was useless. She’d been ignoring his calls all day.

He leaned back and stretched. With everything that had been going on, sleep was about a million miles away. Every time something creaked in the house, he was up and ready. At least his father had been kind enough to leave a few guns. More likely, he was in such a rush they got missed. Oh well, either way Emilio had it covered.

He scrubbed a hand over his bleary eyes. When they opened, he spotted a vision in green. He grew hard. The creamy smooth skin peaking between her dress and skirt gave him ideas of where he’d like to be at that moment.

He looked up and caught her staring at him with such intense heat he had to force himself to not take her right there.

And then Tyler came into view. Arm draped over her shoulder, like the two were already a couple. Emilio’s stomach twisted as the scene set in, and the two sat down at the table. The way they moved in pushed Pan in the chair next to him.

He kept his eyes on her, hoping she would look up and acknowledge his silent plea. She turned her body, so she was facing more toward Tyler.

Emilio’s blood boiled. He’d done nothing but think of her all day.

Sarah came by to take their drink orders.

“So,” she looked at Pan, after brushing a few blonde strands out of her eyes. “You two on your date?”

He saw Pan’s eyes flicker to him and then back on Sarah.

“Were. Now we’re just hanging.”

Sarah raised an eyebrow. “That’s a pretty quick date.”

“Well, it doesn’t help when your date finds someone he’d like to date more.”

Emilio shoved back his chair. What the hell was Tyler thinking? Like there could be someone better than Pan. Everyone turned to look at him.

“You were looking at other women on a date?” he choked out.

Pan put a hand on Emilio’s and squeezed. “It’s all right. We already knew it wasn’t going to work for us.” She turned to smile at Tyler. “Besides, she’s not going to make it easy for him.”

Emilio slowly sat down but didn’t let go of Pan’s hand. Instead, he moved his chair closer to her and leaned toward her ear.

“I tried to call you today,” he whispered. Her long hair slinked across her shoulder when she shivered.

“I know,” she said. “I ignored the phone all day.” She turned to look at him.

Emilio grinned. There was no holding back with her.

“I wanted to say I was sorry.” He rubbed his thumb across the sensitive skin on her wrist.

“I know.” She went stiff at the stroking and then looked at their hands. “For someone who doesn’t want me, you sure spend a lot of time trying to get me.”

Pan yanked her hand back, stood and made her way to the dance floor.

The place was packed. Sarah’s idea to host bands had grown very popular. They had even expanded out to other days during the week. Pan closed her eyes and got lost in the music.