One Touch More by Mandy Baxter Page B

rules, right?” He forced the words through clenched teeth and increased the pressure on Tony’s throat until his breath wheezed in and out of his lungs. “Because if that was the case, you wouldn’t be doing business here anymore. And you know better than to fuck up a good thing. Right?”
    Tony’s eyes bugged out of his head as he struggled to free himself from Damien’s grasp. He choked up tighter and the bastard’s face grew red under the fluorescent lights that illuminated the parking lot.
    â€œAnswer me, or I swear to God, I won’t think twice about snapping your skinny-ass neck.”
    He let up on the pressure and Tony squeaked out, “Right. Right. I was just playing. Giving Tabs a hard time.” His words were spoken with all the desperation of a coward. Tony was obviously only as tough as he perceived his opponent weak. Damien towered over him and had a good fifty pounds on the smaller man. Tony knew he was outgunned.
    â€œApologize,” Damien ground out.
    â€œI-I’m sorry, Tabs. I was just giving you a hard time.”
    Damien leaned in close, his words for Tony’s ears alone. “If you so much as look at her again, I swear to Christ I will end you. Do you understand me?”
    â€œYeah. Of course, man. Loud and clear.”
    Damien released him with a shove. “Get the fuck outta here and go move some merchandise. Or I’ll make sure you don’t get another ounce.”
    Tony nodded in response and hiked the backpack up on his shoulder as he turned to leave. He massaged his throat, muttering something under his breath. Empty threats, no doubt. Tonight wasn’t the first time some low-life SOB had cursed Damien, and it sure as hell wouldn’t be the last. No matter what Tabitha’s role in Joey’s operation was, she didn’t deserve to be treated like community property.
    Residual anger and adrenaline still burned through Damien’s veins and for a moment, he wished that Tony had put up more of a fight. The sight of his hands on Tabitha, his fingers teasing the strands of her hair, had sent Damien into a rage that he didn’t understand. Further proof that his head wasn’t right even after a few months’ worth of therapy sessions. He had no business being back out in the field.
    None.
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    Tabitha leaned against the hood of her 4Runner, her breath stalled somewhere between her sternum and her mouth. Fear turned quickly to awe as she watched Damien throw that slimeball Tony up against her car, his forearm like a log lodged against the smaller man’s throat. No one had ever stood up for her like that before. Not even Joey, who used to sit back and snicker when guys hassled her, as if he found her distress entertaining.
    She had no idea what Damien had whispered in Tony’s ear, but Tony looked like he was about to pee his pants. And honestly, Tabitha wouldn’t have blamed him. Damien’s display only served to solidify her opinion that he was, in fact, far more dangerous than Joey or any of the wannabe thugs he hung out with.
    â€œAre you okay? He didn’t hurt you, did he?”
    The natural growl of his voice vibrated through every inch of Tabitha’s body and she suddenly felt too flushed despite the chill in the air. “I’m okay.” She pushed herself away from her car and hugged the two halves of her coat closer together. “Tony’s bark is worse than his bite. I’ve fielded worse from him before.”
    His gaze darkened at the admission and Tabitha almost felt sorry for anyone his anger might be directed toward. “You shouldn’t be keeping company with guys like that.”
    â€œWhat about you? Should you be keeping company with guys like that?”
    He hid any reaction to her words behind an impassive mask. Why? Most gangster types wore their associations like a badge of honor. Tabitha got the impression that those relationships embarrassed