Echoes Page 15

  “Chilly outside,” Ella returned.

  “I’m going to have to step outside shortly for some of that chill. Man, my hot flushes are getting so bad the onions started frying before I could get them on the hot plate.”

  “That’s a little disturbing. Is this what I have to look forward to?”

  “Honey, peri-menopause sucks lemons.”

  “Great.”

  A small alarm notified her of cars pulling up to the bowsers and she got busy watching the surveillance cameras in the shop, checking for five finger discount drongos, those who thought it was a great idea to fill up and run without paying, and shaking her head at two drunks who drove in, practically took out one of the bowsers and pulled up with a lurch just outside the shop. She was dialling the police before the drunks even got out of their car.

  The cops responded quickly, pulling in behind the car while the drunks were swaying in front of the big ‘fridges trying to decide if they wanted chocolate, soft drinks, or hit another bottle shop for more booze.

  Jessie and Ella watched the entertainment as the cops put the drunks through their paces, including a breathalyser.

  “I think I just heard the breathalyser blow a fuse,” Jessie commented as the cop’s eyebrows shot up at the reading.

  “I think the other cop’s being hit on.”

  They both watched as the second drunk grinned goofily at the pretty female cop. He patted his pockets, pulled out a card and handed it to her.

  “Oh Lordy.” Jessie guffawed.

  “Yeah, he’s a real catch all right.”

  “Wedding bells. I hear wedding bells.”

  Ella shook her head as the cops put the drunks into the back of the paddy wagon and drove off. “I don’t have time for drunk drivers.”

  “Yeah.” Nodding agreement, Jessie returned to the kitchen.

  The night continued, Jessie eventually going home and Cassidy taking over. Between the two of them they did the bulk of the cleaning, mopping the floors in-between the customers coming and going. Dusting, restocking, replacing the cooking oil with clean, keeping the bain-marie stocked, making sandwiches and placing them into plastic containers and into the ‘fridge.

  It was the early hours of the morning when Cassidy went into the office to attend some bookwork. And, no doubt, to sneak a snooze.

  Left alone in the shop, Ella was unpacking a box of chips and stacking them neatly on one of the shelves when the door opened.

  “Well, well,” sneered a familiar voice.

  She glanced over at the small group that had walked in. Three boys, three girls, none older than sixteen. She gave a mental sigh.

  “This shit job the only one you could get?” Justin swaggered over to one of the display stands.

  The girls giggled.

  “Pays the bills,” Ella replied.

  “Huh.” He picked up a magazine, dropped it. “Oops.”

  She just kept stacking.

  “Maybe you should do your job and pick it up.” Billy toed the magazine.

  They talked big, but when push came to shove they were cowards. Besides, they had no idea that Cassidy was in the back room. Ella finished stacking the last bag of chips and picked up the box. “Something I can get you mob?”

  Billy and Justin exchanged glances and lewd laughter before looking back at her.

  “What you offering?” Billy thrust his hips. “You coming onto me, old lady?”

  Cheeky little shit. “Not that desperate, sonny.” Walking past him, she looked at the girls. “Something in particular you wanted?”

  There came a crash behind her and she sighed inwardly as she turned to see the rack of chips lying on the floor, Justin pulling an exaggerated face of horror. “Oh dear. Did I do that?”

  “Really?” Ella asked. “That juvenile?”

  That had the girls tittering. Justin scowled.

  “Such big men. Coming in here, strutting your stuff, tipping things over. I’m sure everyone lives in fear.”

  Billy’s face grew ugly. “You’re not at home with cameras now.”

  “Actually, dumb arse, you’re on camera right now.” She jerked her thumb back towards the TV screen on the other side of the counter. “Smile.”

  The girls and the third boy glanced around, faces expressing bravado but she could see the uneasiness in their eyes. Yeah, troublemakers, but not so far down that track that they wanted cop trouble.

  Justin growled, Billy following him as he shoved past Ella, his shoulder knocking into her.

  Rolling her eyes, Ella followed them.

  They were almost at the counter when Justin stopped and rounded on her, shoving her in the shoulder with his palm. “You think you’re so smart.”

  “Don’t touch me.”

  “Or what?” His expression grew ugly.

  “Justin,” one of the girls began nervously. “Come on.”

  “No. This hag has had it in for me since she saw me.” He stuck his face closer to her. “Maybe I’m gonna teach you a lesson now.”

  Not in the least fazed, Ella watched him coolly. Did he really think he could scare her? After what she’d been through? One kick to the nuts and he’d be down. Billy might take a swipe at her but she seriously doubted it. He was shuffling his feet now, muttering that they should ‘leave this shit hole and find somewhere decent to hang out’. The girls were already starting to back towards the door.

  No, she wouldn’t provoke a fight, but she wouldn’t cower back, either. Maybe it was stupid, she could put the counter between her and this angry teenager who was actually a little taller than her, and yell for Cassidy. But if she backed down he’d only take his nastiness up a notch. He’d just keep coming back.

  No point going to the police about him, it’d only invite further issues with him and then, no doubt, his parents. Plenty of people had gotten hurt even if their harassers had a restraining order - sad fact.

  Arms hanging loosely at her sides, she watched him.

  The door to the shop slid open as someone entered, stopped, glanced at everyone then walked around to stand beside Ella.

  “Problem?” the woman asked calmly.

  “Who the hell are you?” Justin spat.

  Ella gave the woman a once-over and knew instantly. Pretty, in her thirties, slim, strength in her stance, confidence, an air of quiet control, her eyes calm and steady. Navy blue pants, navy blue polo shirt, navy blue jacket, lace-up boots. Hair in a ponytail. Ella just bet if the woman pulled her jacket open ‘Wells Security’ would be emblazoned above the shirt breast pocket.

  Bodyguard. Her bodyguard.

  The woman studied Justin coolly.

  “You get involved, you’ll get hurt,” he growled. “Now piss off.”

  She didn’t move. “I’m not going anywhere. Take your friends and go.”

  Ella opened her mouth, only to shut it again when the woman didn’t look at her but simply brushed her arm with her hand. Okay, she would have preferred to handle this dickhead her way, but she wasn’t stupid enough to interfere in someone’s job. To argue now, cause a scene, would only bring disaster and repercussions later.

  She definitely didn’t fancy being on the end of the repercussion from Ryan, Aaron or, indeed, this woman. No way, this woman might not be considered a threat at first glance but anyone in her presence for more than several seconds, noting the way she held herself, the way she stood her ground with such easy confidence, would instinctively know she could handle trouble.

  Justin was obviously starting to realise it, but being a particularly stubborn, boasting and idiotic drongo, he was trying to figure out a way to leave without losing face.

  This ought to be interesting.

  And then it got even more interesting as the sound of heavy engines thrummed through the air, a pack of heavy motorbikes pulling up outside in the parking area. The engines turned off and the bikies dismounted.

  Justin glanced back at her, then the woman, his jaw working as he scowled once more at Ella. “Luckily for you I have som
eone else I need to sort out.”

  “Um - Justin-” one of the girls began.

  “Shut up, Liz,” he snapped.

  “Justin, seriously-” Billy began nervously, his eyes darting back to the door.

  The door slid open again to emit five big bikies in leathers and boots.

  Cripes, it was becoming a regular party, especially when a big, meaty hand slamming down on Justin’s shoulder nearly brought him to his knees. The teenagers squawked and scrambled for the door.

  Swearing, Justin looked around, only to go white and stammer to a halt.

  “Having a little trouble, Ella?” Snake asked pleasantly.

  Behind him fanned Vin and three other bikies.

  “You messing with my friend, boy?” Snake’s fingers dug into Justin’s shoulder.

  Justin gasped, his knees buckling. “No! No, I swear. I-I was just asking her for directions.”

  “That right, Ella?” Snake stared down at Justin.

  “Actually, no. Justin lives in my neighbourhood along with his friend, Billy. Pain in my arse.”

  “We can fix that for you.”

  Justin’s expression turned panicky.

  The woman just watched silently, her stance deceptively relaxed.

  While Justin turned pleading eyes her way, Ella pretended to think it over. “I don’t know…”

  “Cops will never find them.”

  “Ella.” Justin was sweating. “Shit. Ella, I promise. We won’t hassle you again. I didn’t mean any harm, right? You knew I was just messing with you, huh? You - argh!” His knees struck the floor, his face twisting in agony as Snake’s fingers dug cruelly into the nerves.

  “Now we have a problem, boy.” Snake’s mouth twisted viciously. “Ella and anything or anyone belonging to her is off-limits. You got that?”

  “Yes! Yes!”

  “See, boy, Ella’s gonna have a little chat with me.” Snake met her gaze, the cruelty in his eyes plain to see.

  Yeah, and that couldn’t be good. Ella kept her expression neutral.

  From the corner of her eyes she noted the Wells Security bodyguard studying Snake and those behind him. She wasn’t thumbing her mobile to call for help, wasn’t drawing a gun, was simply watching, listening. Waiting.

  This ought to be real interesting. Actually, having her there was comforting, at least if Snake meant to beat the shit out of Ella, someone was beside her. Still, two women against five big bikies. Those odds were not good. In fact, they were sucky. Cassidy hadn’t appeared, so he’d probably wisely decided to keep out of sight and phone the cops. Though imagine trying to explain why bikies were interested in her? Or trying not to explain.

  Geez, it just kept getting better and better.

  “So I suggest you take a hike, boy.” Snake hauled Justin to his feet, eliciting a pained yelp, and shoved him towards Vin. “Don’t come back. Don’t come near Ella. I hear you or your friends even breathed in her direction and we’ll come and pay you a little visit.”

  Vin shoved him forward, booting him up the arse as the door slid open. Two other big booted feet landed on his arse, kicking him outside. He fell to the ground, scrambled to his feet as the other bikies laughed uproarisly. He ran for the car his friends had already started, wrenching open the door to fling himself into the back seat. With a roar of the engine, the car disappeared into the traffic amidst angry honking from the other drivers.

  Inside the service station, everyone’s gaze went from the disappearing car to each other.

  Vin was watching the woman. The other bikies remained fanned out behind Snake. Ella didn’t move, stayed right where she was beside her bodyguard. Actually, she was ever so slightly behind the woman. Somehow, without anyone noticing, she’d stepped forward enough to no doubt intercept any threatening movement towards Ella.

  Snake looked the woman up and down before giving a grunt and switching his attention to Ella. “You know why I’m here, Ella?”

  “I can’t imagine it’s to ask me on a date.”

  “I had a little visit from a man we both know.”

  “Ah.” She resisted the temptation to wipe her rapidly dampening palms on her work pants.

  “Ryan knows you, girl.”

  “Um…yeah. We go back a bit.”

  “He asked a lot of questions.” He paused. “For him, anyway.”

  Politely, she raised her eyebrows. What else could she do?

  Snake leaned forward a little.

  The woman didn’t shift a muscle but there was a subtle change in the air. Ella couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was, but it was…something. Like something coiled, ready, dangerous, yet when Ella glanced at the woman she was in exactly the same position, her expression serene.

  Snake glanced at her before easing back.

  Whoa, interesting. He’s actually wary of this guard.

  Wary he might be, but Snake’s narrowed gaze snapped back to Ella. “You remember what I said to you, Ella? When I gave you what you wanted and you gave me the brooch that, incidentally, Ryan took back?”

  But if this comes back to bite me on the arse, I will make sure you will unravel. I will take you down with me in a heartbeat. The words echoed in her mind. “Kind of hard to forget.”

  He glared at her.

  “I’m sorry, Snake,” Ella said honestly. “I had no idea that Ryan would just happen to walk into the pub, just happen to see the brooch, just happen to recognise it.”

  Snake’s nostrils actually flared.

  Holy crap.

  Shaking inside but refusing to show it, she added, “I can’t undo what happened, but I swear I never told him.” Well, not until later, anyway, and by then he already knew. No need to bring that up, however.

  “The feds know.”

  Oohh boy. “Apparently I may have unwittingly stumbled onto something on their…uh…turf. But I swear, Snake, I didn’t know. I had no idea this would happen.”

  The harsh lines on his face twisted as he snarled.

  Flight or fright instinct was certainly trying to kick in, but Ella refused to give in to the flight. Since that day she’d realised that she’d been thrown to the dogs by her lawyer, she’d sworn she’d face head-on whatever shit the world threw at her and hell if she was going to start running now. Certainly not going to leave this guard to fight for her. If Snake and his mob were going to start throwing punches, well, she’d accomplished most of what she’d wanted, but geez, she certainly didn’t want to die just yet.

  Hopefully he’d be happy to just pound her into the ground and not make her disappear permanently. Boof would be an orphan. Maybe Ryan would take him in.

  Every thought, real, brave and ridiculous, flashed through her mind. Unconsciously she fisted her hands, stiffened.

  Snake’s eyebrows shot upwards. He looked her up and down, and then he did the unexpected - he gave a rumble of laughter, his big belly jiggling with amusement.

  Vin and the other bikies grinned, though whether they knew at what there was no telling.

  Continuing to stand and quietly observe, the woman waited with infinite patience, ready at an instant’s notice to leap to Ella’s defence. The bikies’ laughter didn’t faze her at all.

  Snake’s eyes gleamed. “You’re lucky I like you, Ella.”

  She relaxed a little.

  “But that wouldn’t have stopped me carrying out my promise.”

  Threat. It had been a threat. Not a good time to point that out. But what had stopped him?

  “You’re lucky you’re Ryan’s woman.”

  What? Her eyes widened.

  Snake looked her up and down as though seeing her with new eyes.

  Not a comfortable thought. Not a comfortable feeling, either, especially when Vin’s hard gaze travelled over her as well. In fact, their gazes weren’t lustful but probing, as though trying to figure her out.

  Maybe trying to figure out why Ryan had claimed her.

  Because he was saving your arse, loser. That’s all. But then he’d said… No, no time
to think about that now. She cleared her throat.

  “You’re also lucky that you’re under Aaron’s protection as well.” Snake looked at the woman. “Marietta.”

  She nodded slightly.

  Snake’s eyes cut back to Ella. “If not for Wells Security and Ryan, your body would never be found, I can guarantee that. No man or woman drags me into their shit. I keep my promises.”

  Yep, her palms were really sweaty now. But relief was also washing through her. Keep your game face on, Ella. She managed a nod.

  A muscle jumped in Snake’s heavy jowls as he gave her one last warning glare, and then he crooked his finger at her.

  Unsure, Ella glanced at Marietta, but the bodyguard shook her head so Ella stayed put.

  Snake’s jaw worked, but finally he jerked his head at Vin and the other three bikies. Without a word they left, the door sliding shut behind them to leave Ella and Marietta facing Snake.

  His arms swung loosely, fleshy hands fisting, flexing before relaxing, the thick, silver rings on his fingers catching the light dully. He stared hard at Ella. “Count yourself lucky that you belong to one of the only two men in this whole bloody world that scare me, because I’m telling you, Ella, I’d have killed you in a heart beat. But I value my life more than I need to kill you. If you disappeared Ryan would come looking for me, nothing would stop him and Aaron. There’s nowhere I could hide that they wouldn’t find me, no number of people I could hire for protection who could stop them doing their Ninja-type shit. Ryan would slit my throat without mercy and Aaron would just watch me bleed out. Those two have the killer instinct. This is the last time I ever want to see you. You are never to come to the pub looking for me. My help stops here. Business stops now. You got it?”

  Dumbly, Ella nodded.

  Snake looked at Marietta. “You got it?”

  “Sure.”

  Swinging on his heel, Snake left the servo.

  Ella stared through the glass as the bikies got onto their motorcycles, the heavy roar of powerful engines cutting through the early morning darkness, the flash of headlights as the bikes roared out of the parking lot.

  “Holy crap,” she finally croaked.

  Standing beside her, Marietta grinned.