Free Stony Creek Hero [Stony Creek 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Taylor Berke Page B

filled the quiet of the room.
    “Well, it’s the ‘about her’ part that should just a polite conversation between men. It’s always better that way, don’t you agree Theo?”
    With a nervous laugh, Mr. Davis answered, “Well, yes. Women are such sweet creatures. They need someone stronger than themselves to help them in this world, you know. They require assistance and I have been trying to give some assistance to Ms. Carmichael.”
    Ben tilted his head, thinking that he would like to shove the banker’s assistance right up his ass with a hot branding iron.
    “Well now, Theo, if you feel the need to provide any further assistance to Ms. Carmichael in the future, you are going to have to address it through me. Do you understand me?” he said in a no-nonsense tone.
    Seeming to Try to bolster some semblance of his confidence, Mr. Davis said, “How dare you? I have a relationship with Lizzie and I am sure that she would not appreciate you taking it upon yourself to monitor her acquaintances.”
    “Let’s put it like this, if you, for any reason, go near her, talk to her, call her, or communicate with her and I find out, you will not enjoy the consequences. If you feel the need to discuss her mortgages, the only reason you should have a relationship with her, then you will discuss them with me from now on. If I find out that you have tried to communicate with her about any other matter, such as, say, personal comforts, I will have nothing to do with the possible beat down that may occur in the alley behind the bank. I think that I have made myself pretty clear, no? I will have the signed papers giving me her authority to handle all her business matters from this point on back to you by the end of business tomorrow,” Ben said, his eyes firm with cold intent while allowing his meaty fists to clench and unclench before Mr. Davis’s frightened expression.
    With significantly less bravado, Mr. Davis replied, “Are you threatening me, Ben?”
    Ben raised an eyebrow and just delivered a terrifyingly cold smile in the banker’s direction. Threat delivered.
    “Well, ah, if she signs the paperwork, then I guess I can talk to you, but you should be aware that she is in real danger of losing not only her house but the café as well, Ben.”
    Mr. Davis felt the sweat start to bead at his temples as he squirmed under the dangerous glare that was coming from the man sitting calmly across from him. He could see the narrowing of the gaze that was making his insides coil in dread, recognizing wisely Ben’s increasing loss of patience with the pathetic little man.
    Ben abruptly stood, startling Mr. Davis into releasing a loud gasp of fear.
    “I think you will find out that you have made an error in your summation. She will have no problem with her payments in the future. As such, I expect that you will heed my warning and deal only with me. A word from her as to any unwanted attention or interest from you, well, Theo, you and I are going to have a problem, a very painful and difficult one. Do we have an understanding, man to man?”
    “Um, yes. I understand the point that you are trying to convey. Um, yes. I will contact you for any future issues with her accounts.”
    From his towering height over the disgusting excuse for a man, Ben extended his hand toward Mr. Davis.
    As they shook, Ben looked him directly in the eyes and said, “Good.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Lizzie found that the rest of day was a blur of activity. After the girls mostly cleared out, all going back to their respective jobs, Lizzie sat at a table with Billie who definitely looked worse for wear. Lizzie was so distracted by the sensual haze caused by reliving the strength in his arms, the feel of his rock-hard body against hers, and taste of his kiss on her tongue.
    “Earth to Lizzie! Can you please focus for just a minute? I am sick over here and I have to go back to see my afternoon patients!” Billie laughed out at her very preoccupied friend.
    “Oh,