The Henson Brothers: Two Complete Novels (46 page)

"Throw a chair, break a favorite statue, tear up pictures."

"You think that would solve the problem?"

"It would make me feel better."

He nodded thoughtfully. "The fact is, I'm here with you."

"But we're not doing that." She jerked her finger at the pair.

"We were close."

Her mouth fell open. "I can't believe you're defending her."

"I'm not. I'm trying to see this from all angles."

They watched Lynda dip her hands in Bruce's jeans. Adriana tilted her head. "I think there's just one."

Eric slanted her a cool glance.

"Do you want Nanj to do anything to her?"

He blinked, then looked at her and smiled. An evil smile she wouldn't have expected from him. One that had her nerves trembling. "No, thanks." He handed her some bills. "Get yourself something else. I'll be right back."

She glanced at Lynda; then her eyes focused on Bruce. He was a lot bulkier than Eric and might not welcome his interruption. She grabbed his arm. "Perhaps this isn't a good idea."

"What's not?"

"You approaching her."

He looked annoyed. "You thought it was a good idea a few moments ago."

"I changed my mind."

"Why?"

"Tomorrow you could tell her what you saw tonight."

His voice deepened. "Why did you change your mind?"

She licked her lips. She knew a man's pride was an important yet fragile thing. She had to be gentle. "Now don't take this the wrong way."

He waited.

"Her companion doesn't look too bright."

Eric folded his arms. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"It's been my experience that those types tend to use their brawn more than their brains."

He still looked blank.

She glanced upward. "Eric, the guy's got muscles the size of your head."

His eyes grew dark and distant. "You think he'll hurt me?"

She'd made him angry, but she didn't care if it would save him a couple of broken ribs. Cassie would kill her if he ended up in intensive care. "He's a lot stronger than you. You spend your day behind a desk, that's no match to a man who probably does manual labor. It's just not safe."

He let his arms fall. "I should be insulted, but the fact that you care is touching."

"You can tease me all you like. Actually you can do it on the way home."

"Adriana—"

"I don't want you to confront them."

"I've listened to your suggestion and weighed the risks. Thank you. Stay here."

"But he'll hurt you. I don't even have your insurance number."

His voice was soft; she had reached his limit. "As I've said, I hear you but I've weighed the options and think it's worth the risk. Let's consider this a closed deal."

She did, but she watched him with such worried eyes that he softened.

"I used to get picked on in high school. It stopped in my senior year." His tone implied a painful and just end to his tormentors. Adriana felt a little relieved. Who was she to fuss over him like a mother hen? Why did she care if he got a few bruises? He was a grown man and must have had a few encounters before.

"I'll be right back." He offered her a quick smile—the rose a knight would give before charging into battle. He slid off the stool and made his way to the unsuspecting couple like a stalking panther.

Adriana saw the shock on Lynda's face when she recognized Eric. She knew she would have had the same expression if she'd met Eric in a place like this. Lynda began to gesticulate wildly, probably offering an explanation. Her companion only listened, studying Eric in a manner of disgust, confident in his power to defend and win his woman. He made the thought known to Lynda, who shook her head and continued explaining. Eric listened, then took out the velvet box and opened it. Lynda promptly burst into tears. He snapped the box closed and said a few words. Bruce shoved him against the wall. Adriana didn't realize she had left her seat until she was halfway across the room and could hear Bruce's voice.

"You'd better apologize."

"I rarely say things I need to apologize for," Eric said.

The man lifted his fist and aimed it at Eric's head. Everyone was certain it would make contact until Eric moved at the last minute. The man's fist hit the cement wall. A sickening crack followed as fingers broke. Bruce cradled his hand and fell to the floor in agony.

"Take some deep breaths," Eric suggested.

Bruce couldn't reply, pain making speech impossible. Neither woman stared at the fallen giant. Their eyes were fixated on Eric in amazement.

"Eric—" Lynda began, her voice full of awe.

"Good-bye." His voice was polite but final.

She seized his arm. "You have to let me explain."

"I've already listened to your explanation."

"I just wanted to have a little fun. You're always so controlled and serious. If I'd known you had this side to you I—"

"You'd what? Decide to be faithful? You were right the first time. I'm serious and controlled. No fun at all. Goodbye."

He turned and halted when he saw Adriana standing there. His expression didn't change. His eyes were like ice though his voice was cordial. "Came to my rescue, huh? You don't care very much about a man's ego, do you?" He took her arm. "Come on." He stopped and stared at her. "Why are you shaking like that?"

"I–"

Lynda pushed Adriana aside. "So who's she?" she demanded, jerking her head in Adriana's direction.

"Adriana Travers, a client," he said.

Adriana studied Lynda and immediately knew Eric had been saved from a terrible mistake. Though her small stature made her look petite and helpless, there was a selfish sense of entitlement that hadn't shown in her picture. She was privileged, knew it, and expected to be treated accordingly. No doubt she would have used Eric's lower background as a weapon throughout their marriage.

Lynda rested her hands on her hips. "If she's a client, what are you two doing here?"

Eric looked bored. "Celebrating my birthday."

"Am I supposed to believe that?"

"No, I suppose not." He began to walk away with Adriana in tow.

Lynda followed. "I think you came here to have a little fun of your own. Eric, you and I could have fun together and you wouldn't even have to pay me for it."

He spun around so fast, Lynda let out a little cry of alarm. She withered under his biting glare. "Pay you for what?"

She swallowed.

"I am a man with integrity and expect the same from my wife. You've displayed not only that you're deceitful, but that your loyalty is as stable as the stock market. If I had been wounded fighting for your honor, would you have left me as you have him?" He nodded toward Bruce, who continued to cradle his hand. His voice lowered. "And for your information I've spent a lot less on Adriana's company than yours. Class is priceless."

His words brought fire to her eyes. "So you're trying to marry yourself out of the gutter?"

Adriana took a step forward. "What did you say?"

"You heard me."

Eric yanked her in the other direction. "Come on."

She resisted, her eyes on Lynda. "You're going to regret tonight for a long time. And I'm here to make sure you regret what you just said."

Eric grabbed her around the waist and pulled her back. "Bye, Lynda."

Lynda pointed a finger at him. "Nobody insults me, then dumps me, Eric. You'll regret it."

He turned and began to walk away.

Bruce stumbled up to them. "You're going to pay for this." His threat fell flat against Eric's hard glare. He let Adriana go, his eyes welcomed action.

Lynda took Bruce's arm and led him away; Adriana took Eric's arm and did the same.

"I can't believe you let her say that about your background," she said.

"I don't believe in hitting women."

She glanced over her shoulder. "Nanj will hit her for you."

"Why are you still shaking?" he asked.

"It's nothing," she said quickly. It was a mixture of rage and fear, but she couldn't tell him that in case she annoyed him by doubting his skills. Men had such gentle egos.

"Nothing, huh?" He held her hand, feeling the trembling she tried to control. He said nothing. He found a vacant table littered with an ashtray overflowing with cigarette butts, numerous glasses, and crumpled napkins. They sat.

"I'm not angry," he said. "Don't look surprised, your eyes are as clear as crystal." He looked at the dance floor. "No, I'm not angry, few people can make me." He turned to her. "So tell me why you're shaking." He still held her hand, but it was his eyes that kept her still.

"I think the thought of fighting is fine, but I hate actually seeing it," she admitted in a shameful rush. "I know it's silly. Growing up with two older brothers, I saw them fight all the time. They felt they had to be my protectors. Even some of the guys I dated got into fights, but I would be affected for days seeing blood spout from someone's nose or hear breaking bones." A shiver raced up her back as the sound of Bruce's hand breaking echoed in her ears.

Eric gently rubbed his thumb over her knuckles, which soon calmed her. "I didn't mean for that to happen, but better his hand than my face." He tapped his glasses. "Do you know how much these cost?"

She smiled. Only he would mention something like that. She didn't know whether it was his dry humor or caressing hand, but her tremors immediately stopped. She felt her body relax. She rested her arms on the table and leaned forward.

"So what did you say that made that guy so angry?"

Eric let her hand go and fell back in his chair, his voice marked with regret. "I'm afraid I let my temper get the best of me." He paused. "If you don't like fighting, why were you going to hit Lynda?"

"I wasn't going to hit her."

"You looked ready to do something."

"Character assassination. I'm not proud of it, but I'm pretty good. I wanted to strip her bare till she was raw and vulnerable, and then I would go in for the kill."

He shivered in mock fear. "You're scaring me."

"I'm sorry."

"No, I like it. It's nice to know women can be as vicious as men."

"Why did you show Lynda the ring?"

"I asked her to marry me."

She straightened. "What?"

"I said I'd do it and I did."

"What did she say?"

He let his shoulders rise and fall. "She didn't say anything, she just burst into tears."

"I don't understand you." She shook her head. "Why would you still ask her to marry you?"

"Pride. Let her know what she lost."

"I think you just sealed your fate. She was impressed by your display."

He frowned, pushing the assortment of glasses to the middle of the table.

"Your macho routine," she explained. "It gives most women a thrill to be fought over."

"I didn't fight over her."

"It's the general principle of being wanted by two men."

He rested his arms on the table. "I made it clear I no longer wanted her."

"She wants you back."

"Me and my gutter self?" He stood. "It's merely a pride issue. She'll get over it."

She stood as well. "Where are you going?"

"I'm leaving."

"The exit is in the other direction."

"I want to say good-bye to your friends first."

"You don't have to..."

He was already heading toward them.

She overheard the group convincing him to stay longer, but he declined. "Thank you for an enjoyable evening. If you have any questions about what we discussed, feel free to call me. Adriana has my number."

"Hey, good luck on your proposal tonight," Emily said.

Adriana inwardly winced, but his expression didn't give anything away. "Thank you," he said with sincerity. He waved, then disappeared into the crowd.

* * *

It took her ten minutes to find him. He was three blocks away from the club, blending easily with the night stream of people bundled in coats as they rushed past. Lights from restaurant windows spilled out onto the sidewalk.

"Are you following me?" he asked as she came up behind him.

"Yes, I'm your ride, remember?" she said, a little breathless. The man could move fast.

"I can take the metro."

"I'll save you money."

He stopped. "It's dangerous for a woman to know a man's weakness. Where's the car?"

* * *

They were silent as she merged her blue Acura into traffic. Eric was a companionable passenger. Unlike most men, he didn't criticize her driving or silently hold on to the door handle like a martyr. He just stared out at the city lost in thought—it made her crazy.

She gripped the steering wheel. "Will you please tell me how you do it?"

"Do what?"

"How you can be so calm. I ruined your birthday, in case you've forgotten. If you had gone home or stayed at work as you had planned, you wouldn't have lost your tie, had beer thrown in your face, seen your girlfriend with another man, or nearly got your teeth knocked in."

He moved the heat vent. "You forgot the play."

"What?"

"You forgot that if I hadn't come with you, I wouldn't have had to suffer through the play."

"It wasn't that bad."

He slanted her a glance, doubtful.

She waved her hand, searching for words. "It was on a
different
level."

"Between infantile and psychotic." He moved another vent. "What are you trying to do, cook us?"

"It's cold outside. I like heat."

"It's not that cold. You act as if this were the Arctic."

She reached for the knob. "Fine. I'll turn it down. I forgot ice melts."

He ignored the barb.

"You didn't understand the play," she said.

"Don't get on that artistic pedestal with me, I had to nudge you awake twice."

"I wasn't falling asleep, I was being quiet."

"That's what you call snoring?"

"I didn't snore."

He thought for a moment. "No, you didn't. That was the guy next to me. If he had leaned any further I would have had to introduce myself."

Adriana grimaced, remembering what had started the argument—his ruined birthday. "I'm sorry." He didn't seem to hear her, his eyes fixated on the lights of the city. She suddenly felt a cold rush of air ambush the car.