“Sal,” I argued.
“Out!” he roared, pointing with an outstretched arm to the exit, his chest heaving with the staccato of his temper.
My own temper flared with his dismissal, flaming to life with a frightening intensity. “You just wait a fucking second,” I commanded, pointing a finger at him. “I may not have handled this right. Shit, I may not handle most things right,” I added, throwing my hands up in the air. “I was only thinking about Ettie and about getting rid of those circles under your eyes. I wasn’t trying to turn your brothers against you. I thought this was right. If it wasn’t, then I’m sorry,” I gritted out. “So don’t you dare,” I began with heated intensity, “send me away like that! If you’re pissed at me, then we talk it out. Don’t you ever send me away like I’m a fucking dog,” I exclaimed with anger. I pushed back against his chest and he took a step back, earning me some much-needed space.
“I was doing this because I love you. Not because I didn’t think you could take care of things and you didn’t need to shovethatunder my nose,” I exclaimed, pointing with a shaking hand toward the closed office door. “You just put a new nightmare in my head along with everything else I’ve already got in there!”
His face softened some as he observed my clear distress.
“Kat,” his deep voice murmured just as a loud commotion sounded with men grunting and shuffling. Obviously bachelor number two had just been brought in.
“Get her outta here,” Sal barked, guiding me protectively in front of him and passing me over to Hank.
“Take her home and stay until I can get there,” he ordered.
Hank nodded.
“Babe,” he began as we walked outside into the warm night air.
“Just don’t, Sal,” I said, feeling completed dejected and tired of the whole situation. I took the helmet Hank handed me and prepared to get on his bike.
“Take the truck,” Sal ordered brusquely, tilting his head toward Mack’s SUV.
“What? Why?” Hank asked sounding irritated.
“My girl doesn’t ride on the back of anyone’s bike but mine, ever. Take. The. Truck,” Sal bit out.
Hank sighed, shaking his head in resignation and started walking toward the SUV.
“Birdie, we aren’t done talking,” Sal warned.
I slammed the door on him, crossing my arms over my chest and turned my head away.
“You all right?” Hank asked quietly, glancing over at me in the dim light of the interior as he fired up the engine and pointed us home.
I shrugged. I didn’t feel like talking about it. But I did have a question for him. “How much luck would I have in convincing you to take me to my old place?” I asked hopefully. Sophie wouldn’t mind sharing a bed.
He chuckled. “That would be a big fat zero, babe. Sal’s already pissed off enough. Sorry,” he added.
“Whatever,” I muttered.
We drove in silence and I was grateful he didn’t press me further. “Come on in. I’ll get you set up in front of the TV,” I told him when we’d pulled into the driveway.
“That’s all right, I can hang out here.”
I rolled my eyes. “That’s stupid. Come inside,” I argued.
Hank shifted in his seat uncomfortably and I narrowed my eyes. “Jesus, are all of you terrified of Sal or what?” I exclaimed in exasperation.
That got his attention, as I knew it would. “Fine, I’ll come in,” he grumbled, cutting the engine and following me into the house.
“You can make the couch comfortable for Sal tonight since that’s where he’ll be sleeping,” I told him.
He chuckled. “The man has his hands full, that’s for sure,” he grinned as I threw a blanket and pillow on the couch.
“Yeah, well, he’s no walk in the park,” I retorted, heading for the bedroom. “Night, Hank, thanks.”
“Night,” he replied, his eyes already glued to the TV.
