Gone - Anna Brooks Page 0,60
uncrosses his arms, and despite the fact there’s a knife only inches from me, he stalks toward me. “I’m here because you and I need to have a talk.”
“I have nothing to say to you.”
“But I have plenty to say to you.”
I turn to square up with him because if he tries to touch me, I need to be in the position to defend myself. Sure, I could call Damien, but I don’t want him to kill his brother today. And if he comes in here and sees Jordan cornering me, that’s exactly what he would do.
“That shit you pulled at dinner will never happen again, do you understand me? You upset my wife, and I don’t like it when anybody upsets my wife.”
“Okay, Jordan,” I reply condescendingly.
He clenches his fists. “I don’t know who you think you are, little girl, but let me tell you how this is going to go.” He reaches for my arm, and I smack his hand away.
“Don’t fucking touch me.”
He seems surprised at my reflexes but doesn’t attempt to get closer to me again. “You keep your ass away from my wife. If you ever so much as look at her wrong, you’ll regret it.”
“Okay, Jordan.”
His temper must be getting the best of him because he reaches for me, but I jab him in his sternum, and he clutches his throat as he tries to suck in air.
“You don’t know me, so you don’t know what I’m capable of. I suggest you stay away from me. And Damien.” I turn my back to him as I put three plastic glasses beneath my arm and then grab the pitcher with my good hand before turning around and leaving him gasping for air.
When I join them on the porch, Damien stands and takes the pitcher from me and then holds my arm until I’m seated next to him. I lean into the security of his strong body, and for the next couple of hours, we chat with his grandma.
She’d get along great with my family. I can just picture her in the kitchen with the women gabbing away and sharing stories. I can’t wait for that to happen. I’ll have to make sure it does soon.
“Well, the sun is going down. That means it’s time for me to go to bed.”
“It’s only six thirty.” Damien double-checks his watch.
“It takes a while. Now be a dear and help me up.”
He escorts her inside, and I clean up the dishes and then we say our goodbyes. By the time we actually drive off, the sun has practically set. “Told you she liked you.” Damien gloats as he turns the corner.
“I’m glad. She’s so sweet.”
“She’s the best.”
“Do you want to go grab something to eat?”
He draws circles on my thigh with his knuckles. “Yeah. Where do you want to go?”
“We could go to Antonetti’s if you’re up for Italian.”
“Sounds good. As long as I’m not gonna walk in there and get jumped by all your cousins.”
I giggle and shake my head. “No. They probably don’t even know what happened yet. Actually…” I tap my finger on my lip. “Let’s go somewhere else. I don’t want to answer a bunch of questions tonight.”
“Works for me.”
“You choose where we go.”
He puts his blinker on and turns left at the stoplight. “You ever been to House?”
“Yes.” I lift my arm up and point at my wrapped-up hand. “Though I’m not sure this is the best thing to wear to go clubbing.”
“Of course not. I’m talking about their restaurant next door.”
Duh. “Oh, yeah. I’ve eaten there a couple of times. It’s really good, perfect choice.”
“I love that you’re so easy.”
“I’m not sure that’s a compliment.”
His shoulders shake. “It took me over a year to get you alone, so that was anything but easy. I mean that you’re decisive. You don’t sit and overanalyze everything.”
“Probably another hazard of growing up in a large family. If I wanted something, I usually had to fight to get it, and there wasn’t ever any room for doubt. That’s why I’m so outspoken too and not shy about making decisions. I think sometimes I run my mouth too much, but it’s just who I am, so I’m glad you like it.”
“I love it, Izzy. Just like I love everything else about you.”
I smile out the window. “You won’t be saying that when you watch me devour an entire tray of potato skins.”
“Sure, I will.”
“You will not. You’ll be grossed out.” I just won’t care.
“Izzy baby, watching you eat