Rising (Anderson Special Ops #2) - Melody Anne Page 0,16
The danger’s over, and we’re all okay,” Brackish said as he held out a hand in what he hoped was reassurance.
“Yeah, we’re all good. But seriously thirsty. If you have shake stuff, I don’t even mind making it,” Sleep said. Brackish sent him a glare, and Sleep grinned before sitting at the counter and spinning in a circle on the chair. Eyes had found a mop and, true to form, was cleaning up the mess of the floor. Soon, it wouldn’t even look like anything had happened in there.
“Can I check that cut on your head, Erin?” Brackish asked. He took another small step toward her. She lifted her hand and felt her head. It was only a small cut and barely bleeding, but he didn’t like to see any injury on her.
“I’m fine,” she finally said. “I’m fine,” she repeated. Then she looked down and took in a deep breath, then another. When she looked back up, there was a little more color in her cheeks. “What in the hell just happened?”
“Some idiots came in here and tried to mess with the big boys,” Smoke said. He’d joined Sleep at the counter and was doing his own spins. “It didn’t go well for them.”
Police sirens could be heard in the distance and Brackish looked over at Eyes who nodded. He picked up his phone and though the diners wouldn’t hear him, the team all did. “911 at Erin’s diner. Need immediate assistance.” That was all that was needed. The mess would be taken care of by Chad.
“Thank you,” Erin finally said, strength returning to her voice. “Thank you,” she said again. She looked from Brackish to each of the men. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without you guys here.”
“I don’t think they would’ve come honestly. I think Drunk Number One has been spoiling for a fight since we kicked him out. But after this, he won’t be back,” Brackish told her.
“You can’t guarantee that,” she said as her cheeks went from white to red in a hot flush. He was glad to see she was coming out of her shock and getting back to herself.
“Trust me, I don’t make promises I can’t keep. He won’t be back.” Erin might not know he had connections, but Brackish would keep this promise.
“It’s odd, but I do trust you, Ben,” she said. She moved forward and shocked him when she wrapped her arms around him and squeezed. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
He held her tight for several beautiful moments before she wiggled to be let go. She stepped back and gave Brackish a smile that melted his cold heart. Then she turned to his other four team members who were all sitting at the counter.
“I guess it’s milkshakes and homemade pie all around on the house,” Erin said, her smile widening.
“Ah, you truly are a woman after my own heart,” Smoke said as he fluttered his eyes.
Erin laughed. It was beautiful to hear it after what had just happened. Then she pulled out a giant container of ice cream and began making shakes.
“We sure are glad you were here. We’ll tell the police what happened,” a woman said from behind Brackish. He turned to find a young woman holding a toddler in her arms standing behind him. “Thank you for keeping not only Erin safe, but all of us.”
The little boy in her arms reached out and patted Brackish’s arm while giving him a sleepy grin. Brackish felt something inside him he’d never felt before as he looked into the eyes of the innocent child. Holding his siblings, even his nieces and nephews, was different, or at least it had been. Here, he felt warmth for a child he’d never experienced before. Then it hit him. He wouldn’t mind holding a child of his own.
“I’m glad no one got hurt,” he said, his voice a bit scratchy.
“Except those awful men. They deserved to be hurt,” the woman said. “Thank you again.” She stepped away as the first cop car pulled up to the diner, lights flashing, sirens blazing.
“Keep the milkshakes cold,” Eyes said with a wink at Erin as four of them stood. Brackish waited to make sure the drunks didn’t make a dash for the door. The other guys held their hands out front so the officers would see they weren’t a threat. Though even the sight of them side by side, looking like a brick wall was a threat to most people.