Page 77 of The Bad Girl and the Baby

When he got no response except an insolent smile, he leaned down, took the man’s wrist, and squeezed tight. Then tighter, until the bones grated together. He held the man’s gaze. Finally, when he thought the bones might snap—like he gave a toss—the asshole let go of the woman. Matt dropped his hold and stepped back, swaying a little. That scotch really was strong stuff. He liked it. “Outside.”

The man stood up. He was huge. A good three inches taller than Matt’s six-foot-three, and broad at the shoulders, his muscles big and bulky. Too many steroids.

“This is so not good,” Angie said.

It felt pretty good to him. “It will be all right.” He patted her arm but suspected from the way she was gnawing her lower lip that she wasn’t reassured. “I said outside. And feel free to invite your friends to join us. I don’t want this over too soon.”

“Jesus,” Gary said. “Are you goddamn crazy, Matt?”

“Yeah.” But crazy felt like the new normal right now. At least it felt a hell of a lot better than pathetic, lovesick loser.

Gary ignored him and turned to his opponents. “You do realize this man is SAS. He’s a trained lethal weapon, and you lot are all fucked.”

“Of course he is.” The asshole sounded skeptical, but actually took a step back. If he wasn’t careful, they were going to back out. He needed this fight. He wanted this fight.

“He’s lying,” he said. “I’m not a soldier. I’m a plumber.” He shrugged out of his jacket and handed it to Angie. “Let’s go.”

“Oh, hell,” Angie said. “This is so bad. Think of something. Fast.”

…

Darcy was sharing a bottle of wine with Regan, sitting at a roadside table at the cafe across the street from the gym. She’d needed to get out but hadn’t wanted to “go out” as such. So when Regan had called,she’d suggested they meet up here.

Across the road, Darcy could see the gym was still busy. It was after nine—they closed at ten thirty—but there were still people entering. Business was good. If she wanted to move on, she would have no trouble selling the business. And she’d be left with enough money to live on for the rest of her life. Property prices in this part of London had sky-rocketed over the last few years. It would give her enough so she need never work again. Enough to visit Lulu halfway across the world whenever she wanted. Once her parole was over.

But she couldn’t imagine it. What would she do with her time?

“What are you thinking?” Regan asked. “I know it’s not about Lulu or Matt because you haven’t got that pathetic, misty, my-heart-is-broken look in your eyes.”

“Piss off,” she said.

“Not likely. I have orders that I am not to allow you too much time alone.” Orders from Summer, she guessed. She was flying back from her honeymoon tonight, but no doubt Regan had been in touch. “You’re not allowed to wallow in misery.”

“I’m not miserable.”

Regan rolled her eyes. “Don’t lie to someone who’s been there.”

Regan had gone through hell with Nate. A jewel thief from a family of habitual criminals and a second-generation detective. And not just any detective, but the one who had put her away. The things against them had seemed insurmountable. But in the end, love had won out.

Darcy snorted.

“What?” Regan asked.

“Just thinking about you and Nate. Like a goddamn fairy tale.”

It was Regan’s turn to look misty-eyed—a look Darcy had never expected to see on her friend’s face. None of them had had men on their agendas when they’d been released from prison.

“And don’t forget Summer and Nik.”

She shrugged. “Well, two out of three isn’t bad.”

Regan reached across and patted her arm. “Maybe you should fight for what you want?”

Darcy took a gulp of wine and glanced at Regan warily. She didn’t want to talk about this. She was getting through by mixing denial with work. But she couldn’t resist the question. “And what is it you think I want?” she asked.

“You want Soldier Boy and the baby all wrapped up in one nice package.”

“No, I don’t.” The idea was ludicrous. “Ha, just imagine me as the Captain’s wife. Going to regimental tea parties. And discussing schools with the other wives.”

---