Elias by Amy Love

told her that this morning, but she didn't think it would be today, this soon. The shock of seeing him had her gut in adrenaline-twisted knots. The stony look on Elias' face, however, was somehow very calming for her. There was no doubt in her mind that if Tomas made one more move, Elias was going to follow through on his threat and kill him. Part of her hoped Tomas was that stupid.

 
     
    CHAPTER THIRTEEN
     
    When the police came in to the parking lot, it was Larry who went out to meet them, stepping by Tomas and Elias with a grace his size belied, while announcing his ownership of the bar and his status as a lawyer. He then handed one of the officers a sheet of paper and held council with them for a few minutes. The officers gathered around, glancing over at Elias a few times, but didn't seem to be in any hurry to get Tomas away from him. Then they all nodded in agreement and two of the officers broke from the group and came over to Elias.
     
    "We got it from here," one of them said.
     
    Elias nodded, clicked the safety of his 9mm, and stood up. "Need to see my license?"
     
    "No Elias, we know who you are. Thanks for the offer, though. We have a copy of the restraining order. We'll take him in and book him."
     
    "Right," Elias said. "Here's his weapon."
     
    As the officers pulled Tomas to his feet Tomas gave Chelsea a look of pure hatred, but said nothing. She was shocked that the officers actually took him to a car and put him in the back without taking off his cuffs.
     
    Once the police were gone with Tomas, Larry and Elias came back into the restaurant, which exploded into a round of applause. Larry smiled and waved and clapped Elias on the shoulder. "Take a bow, big man."
     
    Elias smiled and then took a bow, which brought a smile to Chelsea's lips.
     
    "Ham," she said with a teasing accusatory tone when they sat down with her again.
     
    "Take them as I can." Elias grinned and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "How you doing?"
     
    "Shaken, but I'll be alright." Then she asked Larry, "How long will they keep him?"
     
    "Oh, about four hours, I suspect. They'll book him and file the charges, but set his bail so low that pocket change will get him out. The best we can hope for, really, is that he'll be suspended. The impounding of your car will help with that, but it will be a token slap at best. Maybe a week without pay," Larry explained.
     
    "Doesn't seem like much," she sighed.
     
    "Oh, but it is. It was round one and we came out on top. Now, round two. Just go with the process. We'll take care of this."
     
    "You sound so sure."
     
    "Not my first rodeo, Chelsea," Larry told her. "Not Elias' either. Nice shooting by the way."
     
    "What? I was aiming for his head," Elias said seriously, and then gave Chelsea a wink.
     
    "Asshole," she chided, but then returned his cheek kiss.
     
    "Eat up, Chelsea," Larry told her good-humoredly. "The food is still just as good, and the day is still young. And at least, for the rest of this day, you won't have to worry about Tomas."
     
    She nodded, looked at her food, and then forced herself to resume eating.
     
    The event didn't seem to affect either one of the men's appetites. In fact, Elias went back for two more plates. Chelsea finished hers and decided that was enough on the twisted stomach she was still dealing with.
     
    Just as she was finishing she saw John Price, the president of the club she met yesterday on the run, come through the door of the kitchen. The man was absolutely huge, like a leather-armored bear. With him were five other men, all of them very serious in appearance. John walked straight toward their table as the men with him fanned out through the restaurant and bar.
     
    Elias got up and met John before he reached the table and they had a brief conversation. Then John followed him back to the table and sat down with them. "How you doing Chelsea?"
     
    "Better than a few minutes ago. How are you?"
     
    "Well, about the same I guess. Martin gave me