Page 72 of Sawyer
“She needs to know she can trust you.She may have feelings for you, may like having you around, but I think trust with a woman like Annabelle is probably the hardest thing to get from her, and until you have it, you’ll be kept out of the loop.”
He’s right, and my shoulders are tight, knowing I haven’t yet earned it from her.
Flying into town on my private jet, throwing around my money, giving the boys and her gifts that have no real value to her life is probably having the opposite effect.My brother’s photo, the help on the business, and hopefully getting Gertie’s into Van Cleef Properties will all help financially, but I need to do something so she knows I’m a man who will protect her, with more than just my bank balance and connections.She needs a steady shoulder, and all this flying in and out is probably just reinforcing to her that I’m not dependable.Highlighting that I’m not someone she can rely on.
“Uhhh… guys, we have a problem,” Victoria says, coming to our booth, pointing behind me.I turn around, seeing Annabelle’s back plastered to the wall, looking equal parts as scared as a deer in headlights and ready to gut the large man who’s towering over her.
“Oh… Fuck no.”I’m out of the booth quickly and striding over, not needing to look to know Tanner is right behind me.As I step up to them, the man raises his hand in a move to hit her, and I see red.
“You lay one finger on her, and I’llendyou.”I grab his wrist midair, my grip strength feeling like I’ll break it.He looks at me, startled, seemingly surprised that anyone would come to Annabelle’s defense.
“Fuck off, you city suit.”The guy who looks like he has had way too many whiskeys turns to throw a punch at me, but he’s slow and uncoordinated.My fist is in his face in an instant, and he flies back, hitting the ground hard.
The bar goes quiet, and Annabelle gasps.With the music stopped, everyone’s looking, but I step forward in front of Annabelle, protecting her like a shield, putting myself between her and the danger she faces.Even though my hand stings like a motherfucker, I want to hit him again.I want to make this man bleed for even thinking he could get up in her face like he did.
I take a deep breath, trying to settle my adrenaline.I haven’t hit anyone in a long, long time.As a kid, I was always roughhousing.My brother and I got teased for wearing old clothes, not having a dad, and all sorts of other things when we were younger, so as the older brother, my fist connected with faces more times than not.That all stopped once I went to college and put my head down, knowing the only way out for me and my family was a law degree.But those same feelings build in me again, the protective ones, the fierce determination to fight for what’s mine.
“I think you need to leave.”I stand tall and proud.One by one, the men in the bar join me, standing by my side, and I feel their support.Even Griffin, who’s only in town for the night.Tanner’s builder often flies in and is currently here working on the Whiteman’s Whiskey Accommodation build.Like me, he’s always in town, not yet a local.
If this wasn’t so serious, I would smile.This is what Tanner was talking about, how the town comes together.As the guy slowly gets up from the floor, a few of his buddies scramble to help him, aware they are completely outnumbered.
“Fine.Whiskey here’s shit anyway.”He spits on the floor in front of me, just missing my new shoes, and I grind my teeth.
“I’ll walk you out,” Tanner says as he and Connor and Griffin follow behind the small group, ensuring they leave, and I turn to look at Annabelle behind me.The crowd starts to disperse, and the music comes back on.I nod to both Bob and the others, a silent gesture of appreciation for them having our back.
“I’ll get you some water,” Daisy says to Annabelle before running off to the bar.
“Let me get some ice for lover boy’s hand here,” Victoria says as she follows Daisy, and I notice Annabelle’s hands shaking.
“Come, let’s sit back down for a bit, then we’ll go home.”I take her shaking hand in mine and hold her tight.
“You cut your hand.”She lifts my hand to her face, inspecting the damage, and I wince a little.
“He had a hard head.”I sit her down at a nearby table, Daisy delivering water and Victoria passing me some ice before they both join Connor over at the bar.When she doesn’t say anything, just looks at me quietly, tears shining in her eyes, any remaining adrenaline turns to a sick feeling in my stomach, not knowing how she feels about seeing me hit someone, after who knows what she’s been through.
“Annabelle, I’m sorry.I shouldn’t have hit him.I don’t condone violence, and I would never typically do something like that, and I—” My words tumble out, but she cuts me off, pressing a soft finger to my lips.
“Sawyer.Stop.I’m fine.It’s okay.I trust you.You were protecting me.I know that.”I still feel like shit, although a little less so.I take a breath, and she does the same, then I press a kiss to that finger before she moves her hand to rest on my thigh.
I smile sadly.“I’m sorry our date is ruined.”
“Well, that just means you need to take me on another one.”
My eyes search her face, and she gives me a soft smile.
“Already planning it.”
“Here, let me.”Annabelle takes the ice and grabs my hand, resting it on the table between us.“Are you alright?”I ask her.
Her eyebrows pinch.“I should be asking you that question; you're the one with the injury.”
“Annabelle.”
She looks at my hand and the ice, pretending to be busy.
“Annabelle, please look at me,” I nearly beg, hating how I can tell something is still gnawing at her emotions.
When her eyes flick up and meet mine, my chest almost splits wide open, seeing her eyes full of fear, defiance, those tears back and hanging on to her lashes.
