Page 67 of Deadly Conflicts

“Jake?” Ally was confused. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m going to take you home, angel,” Jake said gently, sliding a glance at Mandy. “James is here for Mandy.”

“But … how did you know?”

“I called them,” Mandy replied, taking Jake by surprise with her fortitude. “I was worried when Vince showed up. There’s no way he could just happen upon us here. We never come here. That’s why we picked this place.”

“But … do you really think he’s following me?” Ally’s mind was muddled from the margaritas. “Is that why you were mean to Vince from the moment he sat down?”

Mandy shrugged. “I don’t like him.”

“She threw beer on me,” Vince sputtered, his cheeks crimson. “She’s a bitch!”

James slammed Vince into the wall again for good measure. Everyone in the bar stared in their direction, but he didn’t care. “Don’t ever say anything about my wife again. Do you understand me?”

Vince’s eyes were murderous, but he slowly nodded.

“Don’t come near my sister again either,” James warned. “I will not be happy if that happens.”

“She’s an adult.” Vince was defiant. “She can make her own decisions.”

“And I have,” Ally said. “I don’t think you should come near me again. I … have you been following me?”

“Of course not,” Vince said. “Don’t listen to them, Ally. They’re making things up because they want to control you. Your brother is the ringleader, but his airhead wife is just as guilty.”

James slammed Vince against the wall a third time, ignoring the nervous-looking waitress approaching from his left. Vince was in no real danger since his shoulders were taking the brunt of the blows, but the bar was completely silent except for their small group now and everything was occurring out in the open.

“I will not warn you again,” James said, refusing to lower his voice. “Stop following my sister! Stop insulting my wife! Stay away from my family!”

“James, I think that’s enough,” Jake said, putting his hand on his boss’s forearm. “He gets the picture.”

James reluctantly released Vince, his glare pointed as he refused to take a step away from the man and give him room to breathe.

“I see you’re a trained carny,” Vince said, shooting Jake a derisive look.

To everyone’s surprise, Ally slapped Vince so hard it echoed throughout the room. “Don’t ever talk like that to him,” Ally said. “Don’t come near me again either. I’m not joking.”

“None of us are joking,” Jake said, extending his hand to Ally. “Come on, angel. Let’s get some water into you and put you to bed.”

Ally nodded as she accepted Jake’s hand. “Can we stop for fast food on the way home? I drank a lot more than I probably should have.”

“Whatever you want,” Jake said, flashing a warm smile.

James gave Vince another dirty look before opening his arms and pulling Mandy in for a hug. “You’re in trouble.”

“I know,” Mandy said, sighing.

“Do you want fast food?”

Mandy shook her head. “I only had two drinks.”

“What about the pitcher of beer you threw?” James asked. “Do I need to pay for that?”

“That’s taken care of.”

James glanced at the waitress for confirmation.

“They put it on his tab,” the waitress said, not bothering to hide her amused grin as she pointed at Vince.