Calamity Jena (Invertary 4)

“I’m still not picking up why you took the job,” Matt said.

“Money. A free trip to Scotland.” Joe sat forward and placed his elbows on his knees. “Sure, it wasn’t the smartest decision we’ve made, but we didn’t know Frank would go postal when he got here. We thought he was a blowhard. Thought we’d spend a little time here enjoying the sights while he puffed hot air and tried to talk Jena into stripping for him. Nothing more. The guy is an asshole. You know that. Hell, everybody knows that. I thought the hardest part of this job would be putting up with the crap coming out of his mouth. Instead we’re running around doing damage control.”

“By kidnapping Jena?” Matt’s fists clenched as he fought the urge to hit first and ask questions later.

Joe noticed the action and let out a heavy sigh. “Frank made it clear if we didn’t pick Jena up, he would. He planned to lock her in his trunk and drag her to the continent, where he’d persuade her to get on a flight to the States. He would use whatever means necessary to get her to do what he wanted.” He gave Matt an apologetic look. “He was going to hurt her. We couldn’t let that happen. The only way to stop it was to pick up Jena and stick close to her.” He rubbed his chin awkwardly with his cuffed hand. “As soon as things started to go south, we bailed. Grunt stood between Jena and Frank. If we’d known he was gonna smack her, we would have stopped him.” Joe’s eyes turned deadly. “Trust me when I say I’m not pleased about being too slow to catch him before he hit her.”

Matt pinched the bridge of his nose. “Neither am I. You idiots let my woman get hurt. Your reasoning sucks. Why didn’t you come to me? Tell me what Frank was planning?”

Joe barked out a mirthless laugh. “And you’d have done what? Arrested him for talking crap? Locked Jena away for the foreseeable future? We both know there’s nothing you could have done. We controlled the situation. Trust me, the last thing you want is for Frank to go off doing things on his own. The guy is unstable. And he’s an idiot. Those two qualities do not go well together. At least with us doing his dirty work, he was being contained.”

Matt caught Lake’s eye and saw his agreement. He hated to say it, but Joe was right. He couldn’t have done anything except issue empty threats and try to hide Jena until Frank left the country. Knowing there was nothing he could have done made him feel sick. Helpless and sick. It wasn’t a pleasant feeling.

“What now?” Joe asked.

“Now, we send you lot back home where you belong. I could charge you, but I’m guessing Jena wouldn’t want that. She’ll probably just want Frank gone. I’d feel a whole lot better with all your arses back in the States.”

Grunt sat up straight. His eyes narrowed. “I’m staying here.”

Joe groaned as Matt frowned at Grunt.

“You kidnapped my girlfriend—think yourself lucky I’m just sending you home.”

“This is home now,” Grunt said. “I’m sticking with Claire.”

Matt shot to his feet. Maybe he’d get to hit someone after all. Lake took a step towards Grunt—whether to protect the American or help Matt pummel him wasn’t clear.

“You’re leaving on the first plane out of here. This thing you have with my sister is over.”

Grunt rose slowly. He faced Matt, somehow managing to look formidable, even though his hands were cuffed behind his back. Matt had no doubt his restrained arms would in no way hinder him in a fight.

“Claire is mine.” His voice was a deep rumble of menace.

“Not this again,” Joe said, groaning.

Matt faced off with Grunt. “Claire is my sister. You’re only a passing interest. One she’ll forget about easy enough. She does not belong to you.” He took a step closer to the snarling man. “You’re going home to Atlantic City, or you’re going to jail. Your choice, but your time with Claire is over.”

Grunt roared. His head shot back before crashing forward into Matt’s forehead. Matt rocked backwards. It was like being hit by a wrecking ball. His fist shot out, catching the mountain in the jaw. Grunt grunted. His head went down, then he growled and charged. Straight at Matt, taking him off his feet and ramming him into the wall. Shelves crashed to the floor. Chairs toppled. Men tried to pull Grunt off Matt. It took four of them. Matt shot to his feet, rammed his shoulder into Grunt’s stomach and jabbed at his kidneys.

“Cut this crap out,” someone shouted.

Matt didn’t care. He kept his hold on Grunt as he hit at him. Feeling the satisfying thud of flesh on flesh.

“Claire is mine,” Grunt roared.

Grunt kicked Matt’s legs, and they shot out from under him. He landed with a thud on his back.

“Grab him before he

flattens Matt,” Joe shouted.

Matt fought to get to his feet. Lake’s arms clamped around him, dragging him away from Grunt. Matt was disgusted to see it took three guys to hold Grunt back and only Lake to stop him. The men struggled to get to each other. Snarling like beasts. The debris of what used to be his office was scattered around their feet.

“What the hell is going on?” Jena’s voice cut through Matt’s rage.

As one, the men turned to the open doorway, where Abby, Jena and Claire were gaping at them.

Claire focused on Grunt. “You kidnapped Jena?”