Page 34 of No Fear
“And I told you there’s no reason for you to be banging that damn baby against doorframes just because you’re hardheaded.” A stern voice answered with an exasperated sigh. “If something turns up wrong with that thing on your next checkup your boy’s gonna come after me and I don’t wanna have to put him down, okay dollface?”
“You act like it’s a given you could take Cash in a fight.” Jemma pursed her lips and gave the man trailing her an indignant snort, “You’ve never seen him when he’s fighting for me.”
“Your delusions about love are adorable as always.”
Rachel couldn’t help but smile as the arguing duo finally made their way inside and the door swung shut behind them. They were a strange looking pair. She’d seen Jemma with Cash hundreds of times and though he was big and she was tiny, it somehow looked just right. The petite and pregnant redhead standing beside the big, bearded Bomar looked like a poorly planned comic strip.
She knew the name of this particular Bomar now. Ford. He had been the one Remy left her with last night at the fight, the one that he’d asked to protect her. He was the one that had left her with his twin after warning her away from Remy. Rachel took a step back away from him instinctively and didn’t miss the way his lips pursed with displeasure as they skated over her.
“Ladies.” He nodded as his gaze tracked past Skylar and then came to rest on his little brother who was still sitting in the salon chair, “Hard at work as usual huh Bent?”
“Hey, don’t start. I was ordered to take a seat.”
“Uh huh.” Ford didn’t seem all that convinced or concerned since he turned his attention back to the girl at his side, “We’re here. You’ve got twenty minutes and then I’m taking you home.”
Jemma’s eyes narrowed dangerously, “You’re not the boss of me.”
“No, the boss of you is at work, that’s why I’m babysitting. Twenty minutes dollface and then you’re going home even if I have to carry you out of here.”
“Ford, you’re a Neanderthal. A sexy Neanderthal but a Neanderthal no less. Has anyone ever told you that?” Skylar grinned as she crossed the room and took her best friend by the arm.
“Only this one, every day, minus the sexy part.” He smiled down at Jemma and Rachel struggled not to laugh.
It was suddenly clear to her, in that moment, that the brash and bearded Bomar was enjoying himself. He liked fighting with Jemma and from the way the redhead grinned back at him, she knew it too. They had clearly forged a friendship through the bodyguard role he’d taken up in her life. It was clear he cared about her, and the baby, and that made Rachel feel bad for automatically fearing him based on nothing but his last name and dangerous looks.
“Bent, get out of the chair. Jemma needs to sit.” Skylar ordered and the younger Bomar boy jumped out of the way instantly. “Actually, if you don’t mind, why don’t you guys go outside and have a smoke or something. We could use some girl time.”
“I don’t think…” Ford started but Jemma waved a hand at him.
“I told you I need to talk to the girls and that doesn’t require your presence. Go across the street and get me a bottle of water and a carton of Bluebell if you want to feel useful.”
“But…”
“Ford.” She said simply, a heavy stare backing his name up.
He held his hands up, “Fine. I’ll go buy your damn ice cream but your twenty minutes starts now.”
She stuck her tongue out at him again. He smirked and turned back for the door. Bentley followed.
“I’ll go with you.”
“Good call.” Skylar smiled at him.
Rachel watched the two Bomar boys leave the salon and felt a sinking suspicion that she’d been set up. Skylar had just sent the bodyguards away so they could have girl time. Her and Skylar and Jemma. Clearly her boss hadn’t simply pulled back when Rachel refused to answer questions. She’d regrouped… and then she’d called in reinforcements.
Turning to face the pregnant redhead and the willowy blonde, she knew she was right from the looks of caution on their pretty faces.
“Hey.” Jemma was the first to speak, a soft smile painting her face.
“Hi.” Rachel couldn’t help but return the smile, “It’s good to see you again.”
“I wish I thought you meant that.” Jemma’s smile dimmed as concern flooded her hazel eyes, “I hope you don’t mind but Skylar called me this morning and told me a little about what’s going on. I’m here to check on you, Rachel.”
This wasn’t a friendly visit. She’d known it. But hearing them say it made her insides curdle. This was an intervention. They wanted to talk to her about Craig, about what he’d done to her, or at least what they thought he’d done.
“I-I’m okay.”
“No, honey. I don’t think you are.” Skylar sighed and moved around Jemma’s chair towards her, “I don’t know exactly what happened or what’s going on but I’m not stupid and I know what abuse looks like.”
