What If It's Love: A Small Town Romance (Serendipity Series Book 2) Page 7

  “Two thousand,” Bella responded.

  “What is the most you are willing to pay for him?” Justice asked as she kicked off her heels, and steadily closed the distance between herself and Bella. With each step, and her attention focused solely on his ex, she changed. Became more solidified in who she was. There was sureness in her movements he'd only seen when they were sparring and seeing it now took him by surprise. Justice was well out of her element and wasn’t aggressive by nature. In fact, she tended to avoid conflict. Which was, given who her father was, an impossibility most days. He often suspected it was why she was so aggressive when they sparred. Eventually the pent-up anger and emotions needed to be exorcised. He knew from his own experiences. Seeing the woman confidently making her way across the floor, he knew that version of Justice was whom Bella would be introduced to.

  “Why do you care?” Bella placed her hands on her hips. The woman wasn't used to being challenged, and this little town rallied around him. Sides being clearly drawn. This put Bella at a disadvantage. “He is mine. Always has been.”

  Justice let silence stretch out before them like a blanket. Merrick noticed the slight upturn of her mouth as she studied Bella. She made a slow, calculating circle around the woman. A fighter assessing her opponent, not giving anything away. Once Bella started fidgeting under the scrutinizing gaze, Justice visibly relaxed.

  “If he were truly yours, then we wouldn’t be standing here. Where have you been for the last four years? I can’t imagine anyone letting a man of Merrick Hudson’s character slip through their fingers. I mean a kiss from him alone is worth keeping him close by. I assume you’ve kissed him?”

  “Of course, I kissed him. We were engaged.” Bella’s high-pitched laughter rang through the hall as she twisted the ring on her finger.

  “Well then surely you can understand why I’d be willing to go toe-to-toe with you in this auction.”

  “Oh honey, you must not have been kissed very often.”

  “Let’s just say I’ve endured my share of bad kissers. Makes a good one hard to let slip away.”

  Crossing her arms, Bella stared into the face of a woman who could easily break her in two. “Merrick is recycled goods. Nothing special.”

  “If you truly believe that, then what are you doing here?”

  Merrick knew this version of Justice standing in the center of the room very well. She was defensive and fierce. A force to be reckoned with when she was in the ring facing off against him. A small package ready to explode at any given moment. This was different though. Out in public, she was usually quiet, not one to put herself out there for fear of being judged. A private woman who didn’t like to be the center of attention. The display he was witnessing was all for his benefit, and though he caught glimpses of the fear, she masked it well. He wouldn’t forget it anytime soon.

  “I’m sorry, but who are you are you exactly?” Bella shifted on her heels, her confidence waning a little bit with every tick of the clock. Odd considering what he knew about the Marcone family. They bowed to no one they perceived to be beneath them. Most people were disposable. Used to enrich their status and wealth or treated like doormats. Merrick had been both.

  The advantage was all Justice’s. While she didn’t know everything about his past with the woman before her, she knew enough. But Bella didn’t have a single clue about who she was up against.

  “The only thing you need to know about me is I’m taking this particular bachelor off the market for the evening.” The level of confidence Justice retaliated with left him stunned. She whirled around toward the stage. “I bid ten thousand dollars.”

  “Close the bidding, Quinn.” Merrick kept his voice low as he talked to his sister, as they stood on the edge of the stage. Whether or not Justice could afford what she was putting up wasn’t information he was privy to, but he sure couldn’t live with himself if she bankrupted herself to keep him out of Bella’s grasp. He’d be willing to pull the money out of his own account to pay off this gesture. “This is getting out of hand.”

  Her hand gently gripped his arm. “I agree.”

  The room fell silent. Then the world slowed to a crawl. Merrick could see Bella trying to calculate how she would fare against Justice. And then he saw it. The slight shift of her eyes as she searched the room. The biting of her lip. Whatever the reason Bella had for tracking him down, she wasn’t sure if he was financially worth it.

  “The bidding is closed at ten thousand dollars,” Quinn announced. “Congratulations, Miss Morgan.”

  Bella held her head high, but when she opened her mouth, nothing came out at first. She closed her mouth, re-opened it, and simply managed a single word. “No.”

  “Sorry, the bidding has closed.” Quinn practically sang into the mic. “My brother is no longer up for auction.”

  Merrick jumped off the stage and closed the distance between them. He kept his movements slow, not wanting to escalate the situation. Especially since he had no idea why Bella had made her appearance in Serendipity.

  Justice was still looking at him, a puzzled look on her face. Realization of the threat Bella posed dawned on her and as she turned, Bella slapped her with an open palm and connected with the side of Justice's face. Justice immediately retaliated with a right hook that would make any boxer proud.

  Bella hit the ground hard.

  Merrick ran to Justice's side. Scratches from the ring Bella had twisted around on her finger, marred Justice’s cheekbone. Blood trickled out of the cuts and Merrick winced. “Are you alright?”

  “Yeah. I should know better than to take my eyes off a potential threat.” She wiped at her cheek, smearing red on her face.

  “Figures you’d fall in with someone like her. Just can’t leave your past behind you. You were practically born into violence. It’s why I couldn’t marry you. No conscience.” Bella rose, and glared at Justice. “Lay a hand on me again, and you will be lucky if you live long enough to regret it.”

  Jackson DeLucca stepped out of the crowd and stood on the other side of Justice. “Miss Marcone, I believe you just threatened my goddaughter. I would suggest you leave before you find yourself in a legal battle you don’t want.”

  “I wouldn't argue with him, Bella. He's a highly respected and well-connected attorney. He’d put your father’s legal team to shame.” Merrick slid his arm around Justice's waist. It was more for a show of solidarity, though he didn’t mind an excuse to touch her. He'd chosen his side and it wasn't Bella’s.

  “How can you stand there with her after what she just did to me? Look at my face!” she yelled.

  “I would say you two are even,” Merrick said. “You might want to consider leaving while you can without too much embarrassment.”

  “My father is going to have a field day with this town.” She stood and brushed off her expensive slacks.

  “The Marcone family has no pull here.” Jackson stayed calm, but Merrick could see the calculating look in his eyes.

  “Leave,” Justice spoke through clenched teeth. “You are not welcome here.”

  “I’m not leaving without Merrick.”

  “You’re going to have to. I don’t want to go with you. I’m right where I’m supposed to be.” Merrick snuck a sideways glance toward Justice, and he could see the pain in her eyes. Bella hurt her, but she wouldn’t willingly let her opponent see it.

  Bella calmly smoothed out her hair and pulled a small compact out of her purse. “We’ll see.”

  “I believe Merrick made his choice.” Quinn came down and joined the party. “And you made yours the day you left him standing at the altar.”

  “Minds can be changed.” After applying a bit of concealer to hide the bruising forming on her jaw, and touching up her lipstick, Bella made her way toward the door.

  Merrick raised an eyebrow. “Ten thousand dollars? Really? Don't you think it’s was a bit excessive?”

  “She's gone, isn't she?”

  “For now. And trust me, it wasn’t the ten grand
that got her to find the door. She'll be back. Bella never just gives up when her mind is set on something.” Merrick circled his arms around her.

  “Oh, I’m sure. The question is, what lengths will she go to?”

  “Any she deems necessary.”

  The adrenaline wore off and Justice’s confidence with it. She nervously glanced around at the crowd. When her eyes met his, he saw the struggle to keep herself together.

  She forced a smile, then asked, “nothing she won’t do?”

  “Nothing comes to mind.” Merrick pulled her into his arms.

  The sheriff, Kincade Winters, approached them. Merrick got a bad feeling this moment was about to be interrupted.

  “Excuse me, Justice. I hate to bother you, but your father…”

  “How much is the bail this time?” the irritation in her voice was palpable.

  Jackson placed a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry, honey. We’ll handle it.”

  Sheriff Winters looked at her, and Merrick could see the concern in his eyes. “Justice, honey, he’s in the hospital.”

  Chapter 5

  Merrick sat at the table in the hospital cafeteria, lightly holding an icepack to Justice's cheek. He wasn't sure what he did to deserve having her in his life. No woman he'd ever met would have had the guts to go toe to toe with Bella. People didn't fear getting the tar beat out of them by someone like Bella, she just didn’t give off a physically threatening vibe. She attacked in different ways. And that was where the fear came from for most people. They feared her family who used people to get what they wanted. They had a knack for bending people to their will. Finding a weak spot and using it to their advantage. Ultimately, resisting a Marcone...denying them what they desired, had a way of ruining even the strongest people. As a result, most people did not stand up to them. But Justice willingly traded blows with Bella without even blinking.

  Merrick gently lifted the icepack to look at the swelling and grimaced. “You're going to have a nice bruise. I still don’t understand how she broke the skin on your cheekbone with her ring.”

  “Typical girl move. Twist a ring around and the stone setting can cause a lot of damage when you slap someone.” Justice took the icepack out of his hand and moved back into the chair. “I appreciate you coming, but you should go home. Get some rest.”

  “I would rather stay, if you don’t mind.” Merrick attempted to look at ease sitting across from her, but he was too wound up.

  “Suit yourself. It’s a free country.” Justice tossed the icepack on the table. “She fights the way the girls in high school use to fight.”

  Merrick chuckled. “Seen a lot of girl fights in your day? Can’t imagine they’d be particularly brutal.”

  “Oh, girls can cause some serious physical damage. I remember one fight that took place in the girl’s bathroom. The girlfriend wrapped her hands into the other girl’s hair and slammed her head into the sink. Knocked her out cold. Girls who’ve endured public humiliation can be dangerous.”

  “Hard to believe, but then again, I’ve seen you in the ring.”

  “I’ve never fisted my hand in your hair and slammed your face into anything.”

  “Well, I could argue that my face and your fist have spent a lot of time together.” He winked. “Truth be told, I don’t think Bella expected you. She definitely picked a fight with the wrong woman.”

  “Not that I don’t think you’re worth it, but I am not looking to go up against her again. And I surely can’t afford to throw another ten grand at the situation in the hopes she gets the hint and leaves.”

  “Not even sure why you did the ten to begin with. And while I have faith you would come out victorious if the two of you went toe to toe again, I don’t want you to go up against her.”

  “I can't believe you wanted to marry her.”

  “Wanted is a strong choice of words. Remember, once upon a time, I was a different man who made horrible choices. She was one of many along my journey of self-discovery.” Days when he was desperate to feel like he was worth something to someone, no matter the cost. And in the end, he’d come to realize his life was worth more than the acceptance of Bella or the rest of the Marcone family. The only person who truly needed to accept him, was himself. It took him far too many months to realize such a simple thing.

  “And you're not the same man now?”

  “Not even close.” In the spirit of trying to be the man he wanted to be, he stared in her eyes. “I’d be lying if I said part of him doesn’t still live inside me. A need for violence I could only satiate in the ring. The desire to be considered of value.”

  “Not sure I could be friends with a man who made some of the choices you’ve made and didn't learn from them. And don’t let your past fool you. Don’t let the Marcone’s of the world undermine all you’ve accomplished on your own. You’re definitely of value.” Justice winced when she smiled, and she tentatively touched her cheek. “I have to give your ex some credit. There was some serious power behind her slap.”

  “A lucky shot, nothing more.”

  Merrick tried to really get a read on her and failed. “Can I ask you something?”

  She nodded.

  “Why did you do it?”

  “Do what?”

  “Why did you go up against Bella like that? Why did you put up ten thousand dollars for my benefit?”

  “We’re friends. I don’t know everything that your life with Bella entailed, but I know you were miserable. Friends don’t throw friends to the wolves and she is most definitely a wolf.”

  “Oh.” Merrick had hoped there was something deeper behind her reasoning. “Is that it?”

  She glanced up at him, her eyes pleading with him to not press her to answer.

  Dakota, Kreed, Kelsea, and Chase walked into the cafeteria. They’d changed out of their fancy clothes. Merrick was still uncomfortable, though the tie now hung loose around his neck and the top button of the tux was undone. Justice probably wasn’t fairing much better. Her hair was falling out of the up-do and his jacket was draped around her shoulders. She’d been quiet on the drive over to the hospital and the conversation focused primarily on the events leading up to the sheriff’s appearance. No doubt, she was waiting so she only had to tell the story once.

  “Saved by the bell,” he muttered.

  “What are you going on about?” Chase asked a he approached the table.

  “Nothing.” He moved over so there was room for the others to sit.

  “How are you holding up, honey?” Dakota slid into the booth beside Justice.

  “I’d be a lot better if I weren’t here.”

  “What happened?” Dakota draped her arm around Justice’s shoulders.

  “He was drinking. Drove his car into the ditch off the corner of Jensen and Third.” Justice picked at the edge of the plastic bag. “He smacked his head pretty good. Car is totaled.”

  “Anyone else injured?” Chase leaned against the table beside them.

  “Just the poor pig statue.”

  “The one for Bennie’s BBQ? Poor Wilbur.”

  “One and the same. Thankfully that dumb statue and my dad were the only ones on the road at the time.”

  “Why do you keep coming to his rescue?” Kelsea sat on the opposite side of Justice, effectively putting Justice in the middle of the trio. “You have to start letting him pay for his mistakes.”

  From what he’d seen of the infamous group of best friends, it was fitting. Justice seemed to be their focal point. The glue holding them all together. Though he knew she wouldn’t agree with his assessment.

  “Look, I know you guys don’t get it. He may not have been much of a father, but Pierce Morgan is currently the only blood relative I have left.” Justice sighed. “I’m his daughter. Whether I like it or not, he is family.”

  “I’ve known your father a long time, but sooner or later, something has to set him straight.” Merrick had grown up watching her father fight. He'd stood in the octagon against men Pierce had tr
ained. Sometimes considered himself lucky to make it out alive. In the world of mixed martial arts, her father was a legend. But outside of the ring, he wasn't as impressive and lacked the skills needed to deal with people on a personal level. It became more evident once Pierce returned to Serendipity, according to the locals.

  “Yeah? Well maybe you’re all right. But today is not that day.” Justice locked down her emotions and held her head high as she shifted to face Dakota. “Can you let me out? I’d like to go check on my father.”

  “Of course, hun.” Dakota slid out of the bench seat. “Want us to stick around and drive you home?”

  “Yes.” She hesitated before sliding the jacket off her shoulders and handed it back to him. “Thanks for driving me. I’m good now. Go home and get some rest.”

  He watched as Justice disappeared through the doors leading into the main area of the hospital. “Was it something I said?”

  “You said nothing worse than any of us have at one time or another. Her relationship with her father is rocky. You know it. The whole town knows it. And so does she.” Kreed spoke for the first time since the two couples joined them. “But she is loyal to a fault. I don’t know what it will take for her to finally say she’s had enough when it comes to Pierce Morgan.”

  “Well, she should be free to live her life without the constant fear her father will throw a monkey wrench into everything.”

  “Preaching to the choir,” Chase said.

  “Well, regardless of what I want, she doesn’t want me here right now.” Merrick stood.

  “Stick around. She’s just having a moment.”

  “No. I’m not going to push her right now. I’ll give her some space and I’ll catch you guys later. Let me know if she needs anything.”

  “Will do.” Chase slapped him on the back. “Appreciate you bringing her. She’ll bounce back.”

  Merrick hoped Chase was right. He still wanted to explore what was happening between them. Plus, he had to make good on the auction results. After all, she’d won him fair and square.