Texas Hot (8 page)

Mitch.

She turned but then her blood ran cold. A chill swept her.

“Alone at last, you fucking bitch.”

“Anthony,” she breathed, as she looked into the handsome yet contorted and half-crazed face of her tormenter. Suddenly all the habits of the past rose up to freeze her on the spot. She couldn’t move, couldn’t blink. Gina could only stare at him as he stood there wearing an evil grin. Every blow, every cruel word he’d thrown at her bloomed to violent life in her brain.

“Did you really think you could go anywhere that I couldn’t find you? I’ve been watching you for days just waiting while you played the slut for that hick cowboy.”

Oh no!

Oh hell no!

She wouldn’t be helpless again. Fears evaporated as if they’d never been.

Rage rose up along with the need for self-preservation as she opened her mouth to scream but Anthony was ready for that. He ran up and clapped a hand across her mouth while simultaneously grabbing a fistful of her hair to give it a hard pull. Half-dragging and half- carrying her, he brought her near the entrance of the barn then pulled back his fist.

It connected to her jaw with a crack and her vision swam as she reeled backward to land sprawled on her back. She tried to move but she lay so stunned that it was impossible. Her worst nightmare had come true and all when she’d been so damn sure of herself.

It was evident that Anthony planned to teach her a lesson as he straddled her and his hands reached for her throat. He squeezed. Tighter. Tighter. There was no air to take in as black spots swam before her eyes. Maybe he’d manage to kill her this time she thought wildly. Gina tried to kick out but his attack had been too fierce. For all the tough talk, she was helpless against his strength.

But then a heavy click sounded and Anthony paused to look behind him.

Through bleary eyes, Gina spotted Dawson pointing a shotgun at Anthony. “I wouldn’t mess with the lady if I were you,” he drawled. “A man could get hurt that way.”

The words were no sooner out of his mouth when Mitch was on Anthony. His enraged face, his firm resolve, reached Gina from her position on the barn floor and then she saw nothing but a blur as Mitch hauled him from atop her and landed blow after blow. Dawson set aside his weapon and helped her to sit. He may have asked if she was all right but for the life of her, Gina couldn’t answer, her gaze riveted to the unfolding scene. Suddenly Anthony was the prey as Mitch delivered heavy punches to his face and mid-section.

Here in Texas they’d call it an ass-whoopin’.

Then three familiar men burst through the door.

Her brothers. The cavalry. Family.

Marco, Joseph, and Michael crowded through the door and Marco, the burliest of her brothers shoved Mitch aside and grabbed Anthony. “My turn,” he growled before landing a solid punch to his nose. Sweat and blood splashed from Tony’s face as Marco pounded him.

Unable to believe her eyes, Gina managed to stand with help from Dawson, who stood as a silent spectator to the melee that ensued. Even Mitch seemed to shake himself from the frenzy and made his way to her. Without a word, he pulled her into his arms. Grateful that he’d made it in time, Gina glanced up as the curses of the hot-headed Leoni brothers filled the space. But once Mitch got a good look at her, his face hardened with fury and he turned back to Anthony again.

“Goddamn bastard.”

“Wait. No, wait.” Gina grabbed his arm and shook her head. The sounds of fists hitting flesh stopped leaving nothing but heavy breathing and a hell of a lot of testosterone to fill the room. Her brothers. She gave Mitch a look and went to them. “How did you know? How did you find me?”

Joseph sucked in a breath and hugged her tight. “Michael let it slip that you were here. We knew Tony was on his way so we hopped a plane, rented a car and somehow, thank you Jesus, we got here in time. We were on our way to warn you when we spotted him sneaking onto the land. He’s most likely been stalking you for a while now.”

Michael rushed up. “I’m sorry, Gina. I’m so sorry. The bastard tricked me.”

The regret on his beautiful, young face broke her heart. Gina reached up and touched his cheek. “No worries. I’m okay now.” She looked around the room at her brothers and at Dawson and then at the man she loved. “I’m okay.”

Mitch moved up beside her and despite her protests lifted her into his arms as her brothers hauled a beaten and limp Anthony from the barn. There was more to be said, much more, but darn if she wasn’t too tired to speak at the moment.

She was safe. She was loved and family was near.

She might be a little worse for wear but she was alive and that was something to be happy about.

Nobody was going to get any sleep tonight and that was a fact!

Mitch sat in the living room on the sofa with Gina curled against his side. Though his most urgent need was to pace, holding onto Gina was far more important. He’d seen the bruises and had seen the terror in her eyes when everything went down. Had he and Dawson arrived scant moments later he’d be burying her instead of sitting here and loving her. Close call. Much too close. He dragged a hand over her arm, felt her breath against his shoulder and the softness of her hair against his neck and thanked God for looking out for them all.

After the sheriff had shown up to take Anthony away, they’d returned to the house where Dawson had instantly filled several tumblers with straight bourbon while he’d gone about the business of inspecting Gina’s injuries. She had several nasty scratches, a bad bruise on her left cheek and jaw, and a grotesque necklace of bruises around her throat.

The man meant to kill her.

Jesus!

Mitch took in the sight of Gina’s brothers, all big, handsome Italian men who still had bloodlust in their dark eyes. Marco and Joseph sprawled in chairs nursing their drinks and the youngest, Michael, occupied the other spot on the sofa next to his sister. The poor kid was upset that he’d allowed Anthony to find out where Gina was and it was obvious he’d learned a valuable lesson about trusting the wrong people. He’d apologized a dozen times. Dawson took in the scene with hooded eyes.

Most of the night had passed in a blur of rage and violence. He’d been there before but this time it involved the woman he loved. He’d awakened to find Gina gone and he hadn’t been surprised since she had tossed and turned in their bed for hours. Deciding she’d gone for a walk, he pulled on his jeans and stepped onto his patio. A light came from the door and he wasn’t alarmed until he’d seen a man move through the door. Dawson must’ve been still awake because he came running when Mitch yelled out. Mitch hadn’t stopped to see that his brother had grabbed a rifle but barreled on toward the barn. Dawson and he arrived just in time.

He knew the scene was forever burned into his brain.

She was safe now and that was all that mattered.

Marco spoke into his phone. “She’s fine, Papa. Tell Ma to stop crying. You know we can’t stand that. Tony’s in jail and Gina is good, bruised but good.” His dark eyes took in his sister. “Yes, we’re bringing her home as soon as she can travel. She belongs with her family.” There was a pause. “I don’t give a fuck what happens to Tony. He’ll be charged with assault and go to jail.” He closed his eyes on another pause. “I’m sorry, Papa. I’m just pissed. He’ll leave sis alone now. We beat the hell out of him, us guys and the McBride men. It’s time someone kicked his ass. Yeah. Yeah. Tell Ma, Gina will call her tomorrow when things slow down, okay?”

When the call ended and Marco had tucked the phone into his pocket, Mitch disengaged from Gina and stood. He looked at Dawson. “Would you mind getting Gina’s brothers settled into guest rooms? It’s been a helluva long night and we could all use some rest.” Then he took in the Leoni boys. “I’m sorry we weren’t properly introduced but shit went down so fast. You were like the damn cavalry charging in to save the day.” He shrugged. “Can’t tell you how glad I am you guys showed up when you did. If I ever get in trouble, you’re the kind of men I’d want to have at my back.  It’s good to meet you and have you here. Gina is like family and you’re always welcome.”

The men said their goodnights and followed Dawson off to their rooms. Mitch looked down at Gina as she sat curled on the sofa. “Can you talk? How’s your throat, baby,” he softly asked.

She brought a hand to the ring of bruises around her throat. “Kind of rough.” Her voice was raspy and again, Mitch wanted to kill that ex of hers. “I can try.”

Mitch sat next to her. “No, you just be quiet and listen.” He took her hand and watched her eyes widen. He paused, gathering his thoughts.  It was a shitty thing for a man of his age to flounder for words but this was too important. “Your brothers seem to think you’re going back to Brooklyn with them.”

Gina nodded, her gaze solemn.

“Well, I have something to say about that. You haven’t said a word about your feelings for me and I’m a dumb ass for not asking outright but I thought maybe you needed more time with me.” She opened her mouth but Mitch held up his hand. “I’d be no kind of man at all if I didn’t tell you that I love you. Dawson and I are products of a dysfunctional family and we’ve been trying to get it right ever since the old man died. I have a failed marriage and figured that might be it for me. You changed all that. You fit here at the ranch as if you were born to it and, as an added plus, you’re sweet as sugar.” Finally, he managed a smile. The words, once out, had a freeing effect on him. “I’m crazy about you. I love your cute yankee accent and the way you love your people. That you’re downright beautiful is just a plus. You’re the woman I want to grow old with and maybe, if we’re lucky, have a family of our own.” Mitch reached out to gently trace the nasty marring of her cheek. “I would never hurt you. I’d rather rip off my arm than cause you pain,” he whispered.

He looked into her eyes and saw they brimmed with tears. Her bottom lip trembled. One tear after another finally slipped over her face but she smiled through them. “You mean it?” she asked brokenly.

“Honey, I mean everything I say.”

“You do. You’re the most honest man I’ve ever known.”

“So what do you think, yankee girl? How do you feel?”

Gina moved close, wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into him.

“How do I feel? I feel like a woman in love. I feel as if I’ve come home.”

“Oh you have, baby. You have.”

THE END

About the Author

I grew up in small town Oklahoma but lived in Texas most of my life. Once upon a time I worked as a newspaper journalist, as a public relations director for a university, and other assorted things but these days I am an award winning, multi-published author.

I like writing that is hot, edgy, and often humorous, and try to put this trademark stamp on all of my stories. These days I live in Florida where I am embarking on new adventures in the tropics. Hey, expanding horizons is a good thing, right? But wherever I am, life is good as long as family is with me. I am a doting, fawning, and over-indulgent mom to my two kids (who happen to be the coolest people on the planet).

When I'm not penning historical romance or hot contemporary stories, I indulge in long chats with friends who help me stay sane and keep me laughing. Wanna be my friend forever? Make me laugh.

Look for Regina’s books on her Amazon Author Page:

http://www.amazon.com/Regina-Carlysle/e/B00GQIFKYQ/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Or find her on Facebook and Twitter

Take a look at some of Regina’s titles on Amazon

Made for Mischief (a regency)

http://www.amazon.com/Made-Mischief-Regina-Carlysle-ebook/dp/B00V2LZP6U/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Hot Damn (contemporary western)

http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Damn-Regina-Carlysle-ebook/dp/B00OOCT74U/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Coming Soon!

Dawson McBride’s story by Samantha Cayto