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“Then don’t act like one,” he sneered. “I’ve just about had enough of it. That sheriff ain’t gonna do nothin’ but use you up, just like he does his other women. You’re nothing but another notch in his bedpost, and you’ll be a small one at that. ”
Rogue didn’t flinch at the accusation, but it hurt. Damn, that one had been below the belt, and she felt vibrations of the pain racing through her. A part of her feared he was right; another part of her was determined to take what she wanted no matter the cost.
“Where I get notched is none of your business though, is it?” she asked him. “Your job is to run that bar out there, not my life. If you can’t keep a civil tongue in your head otherwise, then you can get the hell out. ”
His eyes widened, darkened as anger flushed his face deeper and creased his rough face.
“Get the hell out? I’ve been here since before your ass was born,” he yelled, stepping closer. “You don’t tell me to get out, little girl. ”
“I’m telling you if you don’t learn how to keep your insults and your sneers to yourself, then replacing you will be my first priority after I have my bouncers throw your ass to the curb. ”
Surprise flickered over his face. “I hired those bouncers. Those are my men. ”
“I sign their paychecks. They’ll do as I say or they’ll find themselves on the curb with you,” she yelled back.
She had always trusted Jonesy; she had never known a moment’s fear of him, until that second. Those big hands reached out for her, his fingers curving harshly around her upper arms before he shook her like a rag doll.
“The hell you will. ” He pushed her back just as suddenly.
Rogue felt her hip hit the corner of the desk, her hair flying around her as she fought to steady herself and retreat far enough that he couldn’t grab her again.
She stared at him in shock and in hurt. Jonesy, for all their fights, had never laid a hand on her, had never become threatening.
“That’s out of line, Jonesy. You don’t want to touch me again. ” His lips twisted furiously as he paused, his gaze narrowing on her. “Someone needs to show you your damned place. You’ve become a disgrace to your daddy, and I’ll be damned if I’ll put up with it much longer. ”
He started for her again. Rogue felt her heart racing, a tingle of fear tearing through her as she glimpsed the pure rage that seemed to transform his face. She moved to jump back, only to find herself frozen as Jonesy suddenly swung away from her, his heavy body crashing into the wall from the fist that had been planted in his jaw.
Zeke stood before her, dressed in jeans, a black shirt, and boots, his expression icy, his hawklike gaze burning in fury.
“Get the hell out!” Zeke’s voice rang with authority and with pure unbridled power.
“Now. ”
Shit. This wasn’t good. How the hell had she managed to let her argument with Jonesy develop into this? If these two men fought, then there would end up being bloodshed.
“Jonesy, get your ass back to the bar,” she snapped as Jonesy came slowly to his feet.
Zeke’s gaze swung around to her. There was no shock, no surprise on his face, there was no fury. His expression was emotionless, but his eyes burned.
“Did he sneak into the back?” Jonesy sneered. “I bet you this bar he did. ”
“You don’t have this bar to bet with,” she told him, her heart was in her throat now as she fought to get him out of the office. “Now get back to work. And don’t worry about coming back after tonight until you can get your stupidity under control. ”
He flashed her a glare filled with animosity. “My stupidity is the least of your worries. ”
It sounded like a warning. “But, hell yeah, I’ll get out of your office. You want to play this bastard’s whore, then go for it. See who gives a damn when it’s all over and you’re the one crying in your beer rather than those pathetic little sluts you’ve consoled over the years. ”
Ouch.
Rogue ignored Zeke’s suddenly penetrating look as Jonesy straightened, threw them both a furious glance, and stalked back out of the office. The opened door slammed behind him with enough force to leave Rogue wincing.
She faced Zeke. Two days. She hadn’t seen or heard from him in two days, and she was at the point that she didn’t want to see or hear from him.
Men. They made women insane for a reason. They were so damned closed minded and closed in on themselves that it made her crazy. Even her father shared those qualities, to a point.
“You can leave now as well,” she told Zeke as his broad shoulders shifted beneath the black shirt.
“You know that’s not going to happen. ” Was his voice deeper than she remembered it or had she just never seen him angry before?
