The waitress came back a few minutes later to take their orders and Trina noticed more people were coming into the diner as they passed her table so she glanced at her watch, noting it was almost six o’clock. The diner did serve great food and she knew a lot of people ate there on weekends. The waitress, Betty, took their orders and disappeared.
“We should talk,” Paul said softly.
Trina looked at him and sipped her tea. “What do you want to talk about?”
He studied her with a frown. “I don’t know what you see in this town or why you want to live here.”
“I think the town is wonderful, the people are nice, and I love the house. I am enjoying living in a small town.”
“It’s as boring as hell and there’s nothing to do here. You have to miss Orange County.”
She sighed. “I don’t.”
An unhappy expression fixed on Paul’s face as he continued to frown at her. “I have been thinking, Trina. Ted wouldn’t want you to bury yourself like you are in this morgue. You need someone to tell you what to do and Ted knew that about you. You’re one of those weak women who flounder helplessly without a strong man to take control of you.”
Trina was so stunned she was speechless as she stared at Paul. He couldn’t have just said that for real. No way, her mind reasoned. I’m hallucinating because he had has driven me insane this week. That has to be it.
“This is what is going to happen. I’m taking charge of your life and you are going to put that house up for sale so we both are going back to California together. I will make the ultimate sacrifice and I’ll marry you. You’ll transfer all of your money into my account and I’ll take care of you like Ted did. We’ll set up an allowance for you to live on and you can stay home like you did with Ted to be my little house slave.” He paused as his focus dropped to her breasts, smirking. “I hope the sex is worth it.”
She realized she had a death grip on her iced tea when the pain in her hand became noticeable and knew she was about to break the glass. She let go of it so she didn’t get cut. She opened her mouth and then closed it. He really just said all of that. She let that sink in and then the rage hit.
“That’s why you wanted to come to town with me, isn’t it? You want to do this here? Really?”
“Now relax. Are you on medication, Trina? Is it in your purse? You’re looking a little flushed with excitement. I hope you know what a sacrifice I’m making but I’m willing to do that for you. I’m sure it is the best thing for you. From now on, I’ll call all the shots.”
She reached for her tea and gripped it while she slowly stood. She had the table dig into her hips as she straightened as best she could. She lifted her tea and raised it over Paul slowly and tilted the glass. Satisfaction filled her as she watched it unfold. Paul’s expression turned horrified as his shocked gaze followed her movement. He barely closed his eyes in time when the ice and tea spilled over his head, soaking him. Trina sat, putting the glass on the table, and watched her brother-in-law gasp and sputter as he wiped frantically at the wetness on his face.
“Are you crazy?” He hissed, glaring at her and frantically looking around as he grabbed napkins to dab at his wet shirt. “What is wrong with you?”
The waitress almost ran to their table. Betty looked wide-eyed and shocked as she stared at Paul and then her gaze darted to Trina. Trina picked up her purse and scooted out of the bench seat. She stood, forcing a smile at the waitress.
“Make my dinner to go please and bring the bill.”
The woman glanced at Paul and then nodded and fled. Trina glared at Paul. He was staring at her, looking pale and stunned. Trina was done, knowing she had taken more than enough shit from him. She realized the diner had gone quiet and knew that she and Paul were causing a scene the second she’d dumped the tea over his head but she was too furious to care.
“Listen to me and listen to me good,” she ground out. “You are an asshole. You don’t tell me what to do, ever. The day you control my life, well, that day is when hell freezes over. I’m not some weak little wife type, asshole, and I don’t need a man to control me or tell me what to do. If you ever try to pull this shit again I’ll show you weak when they have to surgically remove my shoe from your ass. When you walk in the door of my house after you find a way back there, you have five minutes to pack up your things and get the hell out or you’ll need that surgery. I want you to get on a plane, take your miserable, bitchy little bald ass out of my life, and don’t ever come near me again. Do you hear me?”
His mouth had fallen open and he’d gone paper white. He said nothing. Trina glared at him. She moved, bending over as she gripped the table, fighting the urge to smack him.
“Did you hear me?” She yelled that.
Paul paled even more as he nodded but didn’t say a word. She did watch his face turn red though after it stopped being paper white. His fists gripping the table balled tightly and she saw his knuckles whiten while rage filled his green eyes. She experienced a little satisfaction over what she’d said to him, having stood up for herself.
“Ms. Mattews?” The waitress was behind her and spoke hesitantly. “Here’s your food. I boxed up both meals.”
Trina turned and opened her purse. Her hands were shaking as she pulled out three twenties and handed them to the waitress. “Here.” She thrust the money into the woman’s hand.
Betty’s eyes widened. “It’s less than twenty.”
Trina took the bag. “I’m sorry for causing a scene.” She was embarrassed now that she’d blown up. “Keep the change and I’m sorry I cussed in public.” Her gaze roamed the diner and she flinched as she saw a few kids. “I’m sorry,” she said louder, meeting the gazes of a few parents. “I…I’m sorry I lost my temper.”
As she spun around to walk to the door she met a familiar and sexy pair of dark blue eyes. She wanted to die on the spot. She did stumble as she took a misstep but she kept going. Her horrified gaze left Navarro’s. He was sitting by the front door in a U-shaped booth with Tammy, Adam, and Ryder. All four of them were staring at her, right along with everyone else in the diner. She dropped her head, feeling her cheeks burning with shame. She wanted to run but just kept walking to escape the room.
She pushed the door open and blinked back tears as she left the diner, moving quickly toward her SUV. Navarro, his girlfriend, his brother, and Adam had just witnessed what happened with Paul. Hell, she’d be the talk of the town by tomorrow. It was a small town and she’d cussed out a man in a family diner. More tears burned the back of her eyelids. Now everyone would think she was the crazy widow lady who lived out on the Vern place, thanks to that asshole Paul. She really hated him.
* * * * *
Navarro laughed. Ryder had been teasing Adam about his stripper. He glanced at Tammy, seeing her irritated expression still in place. She’d invited herself to dinner with them when she’d seen the three of them park at the diner and she was pouting over the fact that he was ignoring her. In his defense, he’d just wanted to have a meal with Adam and Ryder. Ryder was leaving and they’d come into town to drop him off to pick up his car that was getting a tune-up before he hit the road.
Navarro saw movement and looked over Ryder’s head as a woman with blonde hair wound in a tight bun stood a few tables down. His eyebrow rose as she dumped a drink over some middle-aged man’s head. The guy sputtered and looked shocked as the woman sat back down. Betty, the waitress, rushed to the table.
“Shit. Some guy just got a drink dumped on him.” Navarro jerked his head in the direction of the center of the diner. “Some woman just hosed him.”
Ryder and Adam turned their heads. They heard the man but couldn’t hear what he was saying. Navarro chuckled, amused by the incident. The woman at the table suddenly moved and then stood. Betty rushed off toward the kitchen a second later. The blonde turned sideways to face the table she’d just vacated and shock hit Navarro when he realized it was Trina. He’d know that profile anywhere.
Navarro tensed, list
ening to Trina going off on the man. Trina’s voice had been shaky and even from across the room, he could hear that she was really upset. He saw her hand rise as she subconsciously clutched her purse to her chest and then she leaned over to yell at the guy. He watched in stunned shock as she turned to face the waitress. Trina was shaking more as she took the bag from Betty and paid her. Trina looked toward the back of the diner and he heard her apologizing, sounding ready to cry. He moved, scooting toward the edge of the seat, ready to go to her.
Ryder kicked him hard under the table. Navarro jumped as his glare flew to his brother. Ryder shook his head, giving him a look that said “stay out of it and stay put”. Navarro forced himself to relax as his focus flew back to Trina.
She turned to leave and her gaze caught his. She almost jerked to a stop. She paled and her mouth opened. She seemed to yank herself out of the stunned moment quickly. Her gaze tore from his, darted around his table, and then she moved faster for the door. She glanced at him one more time and then almost ran as she left the diner.
The man at Trina’s table got up. His face and bald head were wet. His shirt had wet trails from where the drink had run down his clothes. He looked pissed off as hell as he stormed for the door. The guy’s hands were balled into fists and he resembled a furious little troll to Navarro as he was hot on Trina’s heels. Navarro moved to get out of the booth, realizing the guy was going after Trina and he looked angry enough to hurt her. It shocked Navarro that her husband was so short, deciding the guy really did resemble a troll.
Ryder moved faster and stood first. “I have this. Sit.”
Ryder took off out of the diner. Navarro hesitated and then just turned his head, staying in his seat. He could see Trina’s SUV through the window. He hadn’t noticed it when he’d arrived because he was parked on the other side of the diner while Trina was parked along the street. She put the bag of food in the back and then opened the driver’s door to climb in.
The troll grabbed her and spun her around. Navarro was on his feet when he saw Trina’s body slam hard against her SUV. Her back had hit the back passenger door violently enough to make the SUV rock. Her husband had her by her arm and Navarro heard her cry out in pain.
* * * * *
Trina cried out as the hand dug painfully into her arm under her elbow. She was twisted around so hard she fell back and hit the SUV. Paul looked furious as he glared at her.
“I’m done with this shit. I’m getting you a damn shrink,” he hissed. “And you’ve just given me the proof that you’re nuts. I always knew you were insane and now I’m going to have you locked up for embarrassing me like that. You’re a psycho bitch.”
“Let her go,” a deep voice commanded. “We don’t manhandle women in this town.”
Paul spun and glared up at Ryder. “You.” He released Trina. “You stay the hell out of this. She’s not going to lend you any more money.”
Trina’s gaze flew to Ryder. He had met Paul? She was confused about their meeting because Paul had never said a word about Ryder. Ryder didn’t look at her. She was shocked he’d come to her rescue but she was more surprised that the two men had met. She rubbed her arm where it hurt from Paul’s bruising hold. She turned her head to see people walking toward them and feared this was going to be an all-out scene.
“I’m going home,” she said in a shaky voice. “Thank you, Mr. Raine.” She glared at Paul. “I’ll go pack your shit and put it outside with your car. Don’t even bother knocking on the door. If you try to get into the house I’ll have you arrested.”
She turned to climb into her SUV again. She got a leg in when someone grabbed the back of her dress. The sound of material tearing was loud as she was violently jerked away from the door and slammed against the back door of the SUV again. Paul was in her face before she realized what he’d done.
“You aren’t leaving me stranded here.”
“Get your damn hands off her,” a voice growled. It was male, deep, furious, and belonged to Navarro Raine.
Paul yanked his hand away from Trina and spun. He stared up at Navarro and then glanced at Ryder and then back to Navarro. “Stay the hell out of this. This is a family matter.”
“I don’t give a damn,” Navarro stepped so close to Paul that he had to step back or bump against the much larger man. “If you touch your wife that way again I’ll break your damn hand.” Navarro looked enraged as he made the threat.
Trina gasped. “Wife?” She stared up at Navarro in stunned shock. “I’m not this asshole’s wife.” Confused, she said, “I told you my husband died. This is Paul, his brother.”
Shocked blue eyes flew to hers. She saw Navarro’s mouth open but then he pressed it tightly closed. He frowned as rage tightened his features into a hard mask. He looked over his shoulder to glare at his brother, directing that fury Ryder’s way.
Ryder looked pale. “Brother?” He stared at Trina.
Trina frowned at Ryder. “Yeah. This is my brother-in-law, Paul Mattews. He came for a surprise visit on Monday.” She glanced back at Navarro but he was still glaring at Ryder. She didn’t know what the hell was going on. She met Ryder’s confused gaze. “Why would you think I was married to him? Everyone knows my husband died last year.”
Ryder refused to look at Navarro. “I saw him in your house and there was a picture of the two of you on the mantle.” He jerked his thumb toward Paul. “It was a picture of both of you kissing and hugging.”
“That was a picture of Ted and me. People mistook them for twins.” She shot a glare at Paul. “But they are nothing alike inside. Ted was a wonderful man but Paul is an asshole and he better never touch me again.”
“I’m going to have you locked up, you unstable bitch,” Paul hissed. “Just wait until I’m done with you.”
“Do you want to know why Ted left me everything? He didn’t like you,” she said softly. “You treat everyone like shit and you berated Ted all the time. He loved you but he couldn’t be around you. I’m done, Paul. I tried to put up with you for Ted because you are his brother but don’t ever call me again. You are never going to get another damn penny from me. I was his wife for sixteen years and I was his life so he wanted me taken care of financially. I can’t believe you’d tell me I was going to marry you thinking you were doing me some big favor when you and I both know you just want the damn money. Ted would roll in his grave if he knew what you were up to.”
Trina turned her attention to Navarro and gazed into his beautiful eyes. He took a step toward her but then Tammy was there, stepping between them.
“Baby, our dinner came. Come eat it before it gets cold.” Tammy smiled up at him.
Trina moved quickly and climbed into her SUV, closing the door before Paul could try to stop her again. Her hands were shaking a little as she put the key in the ignition and started it. Her driver’s side door jerked open and she turned to confront Paul again but it was Navarro who stood there. He stepped between the open door and the SUV frame.
“Adam is going to give your brother-in-law a ride to your house to collect his shit and make sure he leaves without giving you trouble.” He stared at her. “I thought you were married. I thought you’d lied to me because Ryder said he met your husband.”
Trina turned off the engine. “How could you believe that?”
“Damn, Trina, I’m sorry. I was so pissed off at you. I…” He sighed and glanced away for a second but then his gaze returned to her. “I told you about my ex-wife and how she fucked around on me, nailing dozens of guys, and I was the last to know it. It’s hard for me to trust and when Ryder said you’d lied to me…” He shook his head. “I’m sorry. I just accepted that. I didn’t want to believe it but hell, with my history of trusting women that I shouldn’t have, can you see where I screwed up?”
“I never lied to you, Navarro.”
“I realize that now. Damn, babe. I’m sorry.”
She flinched at the endearment. “I have to go. I don’t want Paul going into my house so I need to get there and
pack up his things from the guestroom so it’s all outside by the time he arrives.”
He took a step back. “Can I come over tonight? We’ll talk.”
Trina was so tempted to say yes but she knew it would be pathetic if she agreed. She shook her head no. “Ryder told me the truth and I’m very sorry I put you in that position but now we have nothing to talk about.”
His blue eyes widened. “What are you talking about?”
She looked away to stare through her front windshield, her attention going to Adam, Ryder, and Paul where they stood by the front door of the diner. Paul looked annoyed while Adam was talking to him.
“Trina? What did Ryder say?”
She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter.”
Her focus shifted to the diner window next as she watched Tammy Brent sitting at the table where she waited for her boyfriend and pain seared through Trina. Tammy Brent was young, had bright hair, and was tall, just what Ryder said was Navarro’s type. Navarro didn’t go for short, older blondes and that was Trina.
“Like hell it doesn’t matter, Trina. Look at me, damn it. What the hell did Ryder say to you?” Navarro was obviously pissed.
“He just set me straight. Please move out of the way so I can close the door. I have to go home. Have a good life, Navarro. Thanks for…everything.” She started the engine.
“Trina…”
She looked up at him, staring into his beautiful eyes. She could stare into them all damn day and it hurt her to admit that. “Your girlfriend is waiting, Navarro. You don’t owe me anything. I know you might feel that you do now that you aren’t pissed off at me anymore, thinking I’m like Debbie, but your suffering is over.”
He stumbled back a step and looked confused. “My suffering? What in the—”
Trina slammed the door closed, hit the lock down, and threw the gear in reverse. She heard Navarro yell her name as she backed into the street. She didn’t bother to look at him as she pulled away from the diner. She let the tears fall but when she reached her house she put her grief on hold. She parked the SUV and almost ran into the house to pack Paul’s stuff.