Listen, Pitch (There's No Crying in Baseball 3)

Which, I had a feeling, might very well happen.

The closest one was a big bruiser of a man, and he didn’t look Italian at all. In fact, I would’ve pegged him for a Russian with his shaved head and Slavic features.

The one currently watching the back of Rhys’ head like he wanted to put a bullet in it? Yeah, that one was definitely Italian. He had the same dark, good looks. He was also not stopping like Pablo had asked, and I felt my belly clench.

“Leave.”

Rhys’ voice vibrated against me from where our backs touched, and I shivered slightly.

The movement caught the man’s attention that was creeping toward us, and I watched as his eyes flicked over and down to study my face. When he caught me watching, he stilled.

What, did he think that I wasn’t going to protect my man’s back?

Sure, a couple of months ago, I never would’ve dreamed I’d be in this situation, but that was where I was at now. Rhys was now my husband, and for better or worse, he was mine.

This, apparently, was one of those worse times.

I’d protect him no matter what.

Because even if he didn’t love me, I loved him.

I loved him before he’d even woken from his coma if I was being honest with myself.

“I’ll leave,” I heard Pablo croon. “After you tell your wife what has to happen next.”

Rhys didn’t so much as stiffen. “My wife knows all. She knows everything that has to be done from this point forward, and trust me, she’s up for the challenge. Now leave.”

Pablo sighed, and I heard his lighter close. “You used to be such a sweet little boy. What happened?”

“What happened was that I learned that you were front and center when it came to my father’s untimely death, that’s what. Now, fuckin’ leave before I make you,” Rhys growled.

My belly clenched and I tried not to squirm.

I really, really shouldn’t find this so arousing.

I really shouldn’t.

Jesus Christ, what was wrong with me? I literally had four possible murderers ready to take me out, and I was getting horny?

God.

I was so going to hell.

“See you in ten months, Monkey,” Pablo said. “Boys.”

Every single ‘boy’ moved as one, and the one that’d been giving me the stink eye growled low in his throat. “Michael, no.”

‘Michael’ crossed his arms over his chest. “Yes, Uncle.”

I rolled my eyes.

Michael caught the move, and his eyes narrowed.

Well, apparently, I wasn’t going to be making any friends tonight.

Great, I’d offended the man.

Not.

When Rhys moved to the side so the rest of the men could get on the elevator, Rhys gave the man a cool glance.

“Hurry up, Michael,” Rhys drawled. “Do Pablo’s bidding like a good dog.”

Whoa.

Michael lunged for Rhys, but Rhys didn’t hesitate.

One second, he was standing beside me, calm, cool and collected. The next, he’d reared back one fist and let it fly directly in the man’s face.

Michael went down hard, and Pablo sighed.

“Get him. Let’s go.”

Then they were dragging Michael into the elevator, and Rhys and I were standing side by side watching the doors close.

Rhys opened and closed his hand as if it’d hurt to punch Michael, and I reached for it, bringing it up to my face to inspect it.

His first two knuckles had tiny cracks in them, and despite the blood now oozing at the edges, he appeared to be okay. We just had to apply pressure until we got the bleeding under control.

“That wasn’t smart,” I murmured, eyeing the knuckles and wrapping them in a bandana he produced from his front pocket.

He closed his hand around both of mine and tugged on them lightly.

I looked up at him to see his eyes boring into mine.

“I’m sorry.”

I smiled. “I’m fine, Rhys. I know that that wasn’t ideal, but we both knew it was bound to happen.”

And I had.

He’d told me that at some point, his uncle was going to come check me out.

I just hadn’t expected it to happen the day that his sister gave birth to a baby, and we’d traveled halfway across the United States.

“I don’t agree. I’d always planned on being there. I’m truly sorry for him. I should’ve known.” He sighed, then let my hand go to bring his hand up to his face. His thumb and forefinger went to the bridge of his nose as he pinched it slightly. “And now I have to talk to you some more…I was hoping to ease you into this but…”

“But…”

I had a feeling that I wasn’t going to like what was about to come out of his mouth.

“There might’ve been one other teeny tiny little matter that I forgot to discuss with you.” He looked like he’d rather cut his hand off than tell me what that ‘teeny tiny little matter’ was.

I gave him a droll look. “Just tell me. It can’t be any worse than what I’ve already figured out.”