“Oh, not a problem. Considering we’re in uniform, she should come with us as soon as we approach. We’re going to tell her we have official police business to discuss with her.”
Ava wondered if Tagart and Carver were still at the bar watching Elise.
“She might get pissed off.”
“We’ll take care of it, if you’ll get her spot covered and let everyone know that the staff room is taken for a private dinner,” Vic said.
She chuckled. “You’ll get twenty minutes out of her maximum, so make the best of it, fellas,” Ava said then turned and hauled ass to the bar where Elise was working. On her way she grabbed Sienna to cover Elise. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Tommy heading toward the bar, and then that sparkle in his eyes she saw earlier now looked darker. He seemed pissed off. Following his line of sight, she spotted Tagart holding Elise’s hand in his own and it appeared as if he were reading her palm. What the hell was that about?
* * * *
Tommy felt his entire body heat up in anger. That fucker was touching his woman. He was the calm one compared to his twin, and if Vic saw this situation, there would be big trouble and bloodshed. He cleared his throat and made his way to the bar, settling right between the Tagart guy and his buddy.
“Can I ask you why you’re holding my woman’s hand?” Tommy asked, standing way taller than the Tagart asshole. He knew he was a big guy and intimidated most, but the Tagart guy just looked him over as if he had no respect for Tommy’s deputy uniform. Now Tommy knew for certain the guy was a dick.
“Tommy, what are you doing here?” Elise asked as she tried to pull her ha
nd from Tagart’s. He wouldn’t release it, and Tommy raised his eyebrows at the guy.
“She’s your woman, you say?” Tagart asked as he caressed her palm with his fingers. Tommy was doing everything he could not to pull the guy from the stool and punch his lights out.
“Tagart, let go of my hand and stop fooling around,” Elise stated. One look at her and he could tell that she was trying to diffuse the situation. Elise could obviously tell that he was going to lose it if Tagart didn’t let go of her hand.
Suddenly Sienna was tapping Elise on the shoulder. “Hey, honey, it’s time for your break. I got the bar covered.”
Elise looked at Sienna and then at Tommy and Tagart.
“Come on, sweetheart, Vic and I have some things to discuss with you. Official police business,” he added as he gave Tagart a mean look.
“Vic is here, too?” she asked, her cheeks turning a shade of pink. He smiled and winked. “Come on. I’ll meet you at the end of the bar.” He didn’t move until she headed away from Tagart first. He wasn’t taking any chances that the jerk might try to make her stay or pull any shit. He didn’t like that guy at all.
She seemed to get the message and headed toward the end of the bar and the exit. He met her there, and together Tommy and Elise walked down the hallway.
“What’s going on? You can’t be telling people that I’m your woman, Tommy. I thought we discussed this yesterday.”
“You might have mentioned something like that, but Vic and I know that you’re just a bit shy.”
“Shy? Me? Where the hell did you get that idea from?” she asked him as he pressed his hand against her lower back and guided her down the hallway. Just the feel of her feminine body so close to him made him want her even more. She was gorgeous and her long brown hair was tied in the back then twisted up in a fun style. Her jeans were tight and low on her waist as usual. He could see that little bit of tattoo he wanted to see more of and kiss along every inch of vine and flower. She was delicious.
They made it to the staff room, and she turned to give him a funny expression.
“Remember last night? We promised dinner and a talk? Well, even though we’re all working tonight, Vic and I thought that taking our break for dinner together could work out just fine.” He pushed open the door and the smell of BBQ sauce filled the room.
“Oh my God, you went all the way out to Cellar County to Big Bob’s?” she asked as she looked at Vic then turned to look at Tommy. Vic had set up the table for a small dinner for three. It looked great.
“Sure did, baby. How about a kiss hello?” Vic asked. Before Elise could retreat from his approach, Vic smoothed his hand over her waist, against her ass, and pulled her to him, planting a kiss on her mouth and devouring any escape or verbal protests. Tommy saw how Vic’s large hand covered her pretty little ass and how he had to lift her a little higher to gain better access to her mouth and body. She was sexy as damn hell.
When Vic released her, Tommy pulled her into his arms and hugged her to him.
“I missed you,” he whispered as he absorbed the feel of his woman in his arms. She gave him a squeeze and he felt triumphant.
“Let’s eat, since we’re on a time schedule here,” Vic stated as he caressed her hair. When she pulled back from Tommy, she looked a bit unsure.
Elise released a sigh. “You can’t keep stopping me from speaking my mind by kissing me.”
“That’s not what we’re doing.”
She raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms in front of her chest. She looked so damn cute. Tommy placed his hand on her hip and she stared up at him. He smiled his best smile and even felt he looked sexy when he did it.