Chapter 12
12
H ell.
Brogan read the purchase agreement from the owner of his property. A full five hundred thousand higher than the original offer.
“And he increased the price, because?”
Brogan passed the contract back to Cathal, his jovial brother quiet for a moment.
“Simmons came in with a higher offer. He said it was hard not to accept the offer right then, but he wanted to give us a chance.”
“But another five hundred?” Brogan ran a hand over his hair, not caring how it looked. He stood in his condo, staring out over the Atlanta skyline. For fifteen years he'd lived in Atlanta. For the past ten operated the bar. Everything he had was wrapped up on the bar.
“I know. It was that shit Simmons pulled with Selena and our reaction. It's a power play.”
He glanced over his shoulder, Cathal slowly shaking his head. They didn't have to say it out loud. Neither one of them would have done a thing differently. They'd both want to beat the bastard to a bloody pulp. They'd both resisted.
Their Ma would be proud of that.
As it was, both he and Rian were very proud of Cathal for only snatching him away from Selena and not going further. Cathal's aggression, when it came to men like Simmons, wasn't controlled.
“We ask the bank for more.” Brogan knew that was an impossible request.
Cathal tossed the paper onto the kitchen table and leaned back in the old, wooden chair. The sky rise condo building was modern, but not the furnishings inside Brogan's home. He'd brought over the table and chairs from his parents' house back in Ireland. Several pieces of furniture, in fact. Warm. That was how he wanted to live.
Rian lived with hardly any furniture. Everything chrome, black or white, and sparse.
Cathal was lucky his cleaning lady didn't quit.
“I already called Jacob Peters. He didn't say ‘no’ but he wasn't optimistic. I had half a thought to see if Selena could ask him for it.” He held up his hands at Brogan's sharp look. “Hey, she's not my girl, and I hated seeing him make a fool of himself over her that way. He tried to cut up her steak.”
“I think Rian was more appalled that he asked for ketchup to dip his in.”
Cathal grinned. “By the end of the night, Rian hated his face more than you, if that was possible. Did you notice Rian left, without even saying goodbye?”
“No. Where is he now?” Brogan couldn't keep up with the restaurant and his brother's travel schedule.
“Not with a woman.” Cathal shook his head. “He could wine and dine any woman on this planet, and instead, he lives like a monk. ”
Brogan chuckled at his brother's analogy. “You know he's not a monk. He doesn't feel the need to share the women he's interested in because then we'll want to meet them.”
“Great.” Cathal threw his arms up. “Our own brother is embarrassed by us.”
“Probably.” He motioned to the paper sitting on the table. “What are we going to do about that?”
“I've given it a little bit of thought. What about raising it through the restaurant? We have five more weeks before the owner needs a decision. Let's do something unique that draws in a crowd.”
Brogan partway smiled. “We'd have to pay for someone to come in and plan the event. None of us know how to do that.”
“What about Selena? You did give her that fancy title.”
Brogan turned back to face Cathal. “What about her?” He checked his watch. “She's probably getting ready to go out to a bar with Katie.”
“You have to trust her, Brog.”
“I know.” It didn't mean he had to like it.
“Do you want me to head out later and check-in with her?”
Brogan hesitated. “Does it make me an odd person if I said, 'yes,' and had you do it?” Because he did want to make sure she was safe. He trusted her not to be with another man. He didn't trust the other men out there. Selena was beautiful. Simmons and Jacob confirmed that she was attractive to everyone else as well.
“Yes. It makes you very sad.”
“I'll take sad. Text me that she's alright.”
Cathal nodded once. “I will. Do you think she could plan an event like that? You said yourself she's smart.”
He took a breath and pulled out the chair opposite his brother and sat. “She is smart. I don't know if she'd do it, though. I could ask her. But what kind of event?”
“I'd say stick to our strongest qualities.”
“Fighting?”
Cathal's quick smile eased some of the tension between them. “Better. I don't know why we don't make Rian do something. He just had an interview with Food and Wine magazine. He's slated to be featured at their festival in Monaco this year. Let's play it up. Charge people a flat rate for food. One of his creations. Maybe a flat rate for a specialty drink.”
It might work. “We won't raise the full amount, probably.”
“There are other banks out there. We never sent that paperwork back to Jacob. I'll reach out to others first thing Monday.” He drummed his fingers on the table.
“What is it?” The pensive look didn't suit Cathal's face.
Cathal pulled his cell phone from his pocket. “Who's going to tell Rian?”
Going out had been a mistake. Katie didn't take her to only one bar. She took her to five. Five bars from ten to almost one in the morning. Her feet ached, like usual, and she was over-wearing a strapless bra. Again, she'd tried to go out in something less revealing, but Katie refused to be her friend. Said she'd never find a guy who wanted a girl in a pair of jeans and flip flops.
Hell, she'd snagged Brogan that way.
But Katie was out to prove a point. Ever since becoming single, Katie had replaced the pain with the fleeting excitement of meeting new people. Flirting. Kissing. Selena understood the sensation. She'd done the same thing after breaking up with Jacob. But that'd been a long time ago. And Katie was still in her early twenties. Something switched in Selena's brain last year when she took over caring for Mimi. Maturity, maybe?
Katie stood near the bathrooms with a girl, whispering, giggling, and making out, while Selena sat at the bar with a Diet Coke that tasted flat. She might love her friend, but this might, officially, be the last time she goes out with Katie.
“Well, this is my lucky night.”
Simmons.
Shit.
“Is this seat taken?”
“Yes.” She snapped out the words, trying to be tough.
Simmons sat down anyway. His hand immediately patted her knee, and she stood up. “Leave me alone.”
The bartender, a cute, tall woman with red hair, immediately pounded on the wood top of the bar. “You okay?”
“We were just getting reacquainted,” Simmons said, his eyes lingering on Selena's chest.
“I was just leaving.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “You don't have your Irish bodyguards around to threaten me. But I'll have the last laugh. You know I made the owner raise the offer on the bar, right? They barely squeezed enough together for the first offer. No way they can add another five hundred thousand to it.”
Five hundred thousand. The number didn't seem real. Brogan didn't have enough sitting around without having to go to the bank. She could always appeal to Jacob for them, but Brogan wouldn't want her near him again. Not on behalf of the pub .
“Did you need something to drink?” The bartender knocked on the bar again. “You.”
“Ketle One. Straight up.” He reached out to touch Selena's hip, but she moved two seats down.
“No touching at my bar,” the bartender snapped. “She doesn't want you around, so I suggest you move along.”
Selena's phone buzzed. Cathal of all people.
Came out looking for you. Which bar are you posted up?
She scanned the bar before looking back at the bartender. The redhead's eyes were still locked on Simmons. “What's the name of this place?”
“Fiona's.”
She typed it into her phone. Cathal responded immediately.
Luckily, I'm right down the street.
Ha! It looked like her Irish bodyguards were still around after all.
Simmons is here.
That time, she didn't get a response.
“I'm still waiting on my Kettle One,” Simmons said to the bartender.
“And I'm still waiting on you to stop bothering this lady.” She pushed a strand of hair away from her face. “Can you sit there like a nice gentleman or do I need someone to throw you the hell out?”
“I've been nothing but a gentleman.” He sneered at her. “I offered her a job when the place she's working closes down.”
“You’re the one shutting it down!”
Simmons moved down two seats, too, putting himself right beside her.
She stood. “I'm not interested. ”
He grabbed her by both hips, pulling her off balance in her high heels. “Stop playing me.”
The bartender shouted something, but she couldn't hear it. Not with the buzzing in her ears.
She slapped Simmons again, but he smiled, his fingers gripping so hard, she began to squirm.
Her knee caught his groin.
His eyes bugged out from the impact.
And then she stumbled backward, landing on her butt. Several people helped her up as she tried to make sense of what'd happened. Had Simmons pushed her?
The bartender slapped at someone who had Simmons pinned on top of the bar, his legs dangling off the edge, one shoe falling to the floor from him kicking frantically.
Cathal.
She went over and tugged at Cathal's shoulder. “Cathal! Chill. God, he can't breathe.”
Cathal said a string of words. Who knew what with the accent and dropping in and out of Irish. She'd be lucky if he didn't crush Simmons's windpipe with his forearm pressed into his throat.
“Cathal! Don't kill him!” She tugged harder. He released Simmons and stumbled backward with her, holding his hands up. Simmons slumped over on the floor, gasping for breath.
The bartender agilely climbed over the bar to see her customer. “Geez, man, you did about kill him.” She shook her head, eyes pinned on Cathal. “Damn it. You need to calm down. I don't need this now. I just got my liquor license back.”
The bouncer walked up, but the bartender waved him away. “It's done.”
Selena gave her an apologetic look. “I'm sorry. It's a long story.” She stepped in front of Cathal. The pure rage on his face didn't match up with the easy-going man she knew—the one whose brothers joked about his laziness.
Twice, Cathal had gone completely crazy on Simmons. She'd have to contemplate it later.
“What happened?” Katie came over, her girl of the night right behind her. “Did Cathal go ape-shit on Simmons again? I didn't see him walk in. Either one of them.”
“No, I don't guess you did.” She spared Katie half a glance. “You going home or staying here?” Because, at the moment, she never wanted to set foot in another bar. Or see Simmons again.
“Staying.”
“I'm going. Call me tomorrow.”
Cathal's hand gripped her elbow. “I'll see you home.”
The bartender stuck a hand on her hip. “Perfect! Your boyfriend nearly kills a man and off you two go without even checking on the slimy bastard who just threw up on the floor?”
Cathal stopped, eyes narrowing at the bartender in such a severe way most women might have backed away. Not this bartender. She crossed her arms, expecting an answer.
“The slimy bastard as you called him is lucky he got the brother and not the boyfriend.”
“I knew it!” Katie squealed before covering her mouth. Selena ignored her. She'd try and play it off tomorrow and make sure Katie didn't say anything.
“Tell your boss they can find me at O'Keeley's Pub if they have any problems.” Cathal forced Selena to move to the door and out into the warm night. “I really think Katie is not a good influence on you.”
“Thanks, Dad,” Selena smarted back.
His lips twitched, but he didn't smile. “Are you sober? ”
“Yes. I drove. My car is—”
“I'll handle your car.”
She hmphed. “Are the good looks to blame for all three of you being bossy as hell?”
“No. We were brought up to make sure a woman got home safely. You can thank our Ma for both, though.”
He opened the door to his silver Mercedes. Flashy. “Are you going to tell Brogan? About Simmons?”
“Of course.” He squeezed her shoulder, his voice turning softer. “Don't be surprised if he tries to see you tonight. He'll need his hands on you to know you're alright. Give him that.”
“It'll be almost two by the time I get ready for bed. I figure he's been asleep for a while.” He was so regimented with everything. Like a machine. A set time for everything. “Just tell him tomorrow.”
“The old man goes to sleep by ten if possible because he gets up to exercise so early. He'd kill me if I didn't let him know about Simmons immediately.” He scratched his jaw. “Plus, I might need to give him a heads up in case I get arrested for assault. I'll need him to come to bail my ass out of jail for avenging his girlfriend's honor.”
“About that. I think Katie heard what you said. You forgot to use my official title as the exclusive VP of Advertising.”
Cathal shrugged. “Just tell her not to say anything. I think she's a smart woman.”
But Selena wouldn't mention it to Brogan. He'd run for the hills if he thought someone outside his family knew about them.
When she arrived home, Katie's sister was waiting at the door. “Sorry. I didn't think I'd be gone this long.” Selena wrote her a quick check and made sure she got to her car alright before locking the apartment. No way Brogan would come by at two in the morning.
She washed her face and put on pajamas. Her body still tensed when she replayed the way Simmons yanked her, his hands on her body. She would eventually get over it.
Her phone beeped.
I'm outside.
Crap. Brogan had shown up. Selena threw back the covers and walked through the living room. She unlatched the deadbolts.
The door swung open as soon as she turned the knob. Brogan was there, hands on her, crushing her to his chest.
She patted his back. “Cathal said he'd call you.”
“I'm surprised he even left the man breathing.” He looked down. His expression was unreadable in the darkened living room. He'd worn a t-shirt, sweatpants, and his sneakers were untied. His hair messy. He looked like he rolled out of bed just to check on her.
“Cathal said he saw him grab you.”
She shifted to the side, pushing the door closed and flipping the deadbolts. “Yes. He did.”
“Why were you even near him?”
“Near him?”
“At the bar. If you'd have left....”
His gruff voice made her spine straighten. “Excuse me? How is this my fault?”
“I didn't say I thought it was.”
“Yes.” The anger, emotion, frustration from Simmons finally boiled over. “You did. You think I could have avoided it somehow? He sat down; I stood up. He touched me. I told him to stop and moved down the bar. The bartender told him to stop. He followed me, and I stepped away. He grabbed me. I slapped him, and he squeezed my hips tighter. I kneed him in his junk. Then, bam, Cathal pulled some wrestling move and almost crushed his windpipe.”
Brogan growled and muttered something she didn’t understand.
“I was the one who pulled Cathal off. I'm not sure your brother had any rational thought left, and Simmons isn't worth going to prison.”
“That's a difference of opinion.” His hands rested on her waist. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to imply that you did anything wrong.” He kissed her lips lightly. “Did he hurt you?”
“Bruised a little.”
“Where.” He said it in his bossy voice that usually annoyed her. Most of the time, it made her straight up mad. Honestly, right then, she didn't want some overly emotional guy that babied her. She could see how other women wouldn't appreciate his matter-of-fact nature, but that was Brogan. When things got out of control, he took over. At two in the morning, she’d let him.
She rested her hands over his, sliding them down until they set where she'd seen the fingerprints when she'd changed her clothes. “Here.”
Brogan spread his hands wide and swallowed. “Can I see?”
“Do you need to?”
“Yes.”
She pulled down one side of her pajama pants, enough to show him the fingerprints.
He hissed through his teeth. “I'm sorry, Selena. This is my fault.”
Pulling up her pants, she shook her head. “Did you raise him to be a piece of shit? No. Neither one of us is to blame for his actions.” She slipped her arms around his waist. “I just want the memory to go away.”
He cupped her face. “What can I do?”
“Stay.”
His hesitant expression pulled her back into the reality of their situation. She was the secret girlfriend.
“Never mind.”
“No. I'll stay.”
“I'm not looking for anything more between us. I don't want to be alone.”
He ran the back of his hand down her cheek. “I'll need to leave before you usually wake up.”
“Just nudge me when you go.”
Taking him by the hand, she led him through her small apartment. It became glaringly apparent that Brogan could never survive in a place that small. The narrow hallway exaggerated his size.
He chuckled as he stood at the edge of her room. “This is what I imagined.”
She looked around. Messy. She was a messy person and wouldn't try to cover it up. She crossed her arms, giving him as sexy a look as she could while wearing an old t-shirt and pair of flannel pajamas pants.
“I didn't realize a messy room would actually keep you from sleeping in my bed.”
“Not much of anything would keep me from doing that with an open invitation.” He flipped the light off. “Now, which side do you sleep on?”