A Voice to Love (Fallen Tuesday Book One) (A Brothers of Rock Novel) (15 page)

Luke was back in New York
and was coming to see her.

Amy’s body tingled for
his touch, but her heart was torn. She didn’t want to fault herself for wanting
Luke, but if she finally slept with him and started that kind of relationship
she wasn’t sure if she could handle the distance.

The office door opened
and Uncle Tom stood there. “Need to talk to you.”

"Am I in
trouble?" Amy asked.

"Either way, I need
to talk to you."

"This is the
office," Amy said.

"Why don't we step
out of the restaurant?"

Uncle Tom didn't allow
Amy to respond. He turned and walked away. That wasn't a very good sign at all.
The only thing Amy could pinpoint was her rambling about the bakery. Had she
said too much about it? Did she give the impression that she didn't want or
need the restaurant?

Amy stepped outside and
hugged herself. She should have grabbed her coat.

"I want to bring
something up," Uncle Tom said. "But I can't do it in the
restaurant."

"Of course,"
Amy said. "Is everything okay?"

"I'm thinking,"
Uncle Tom said. "I've been thinking my entire life. Now I'm thinking for
you."

"You're thinking for
me?"

"Yes. Why did you
bring up this bakery idea?"

Amy sighed. She knew that
had been a big mistake. "It was nothing. Just an idea. Something I've been
thinking about."

"Would you have
thought this if you owned the restaurant?”

The question was
powerful. Very powerful. Amy stared at Uncle Tom and wasn't sure how to answer him.
Would she have been interested in desserts and baked goods if she owned the
restaurant? Yes. Would she have opened a second business just for that purpose?

"I don't know,"
Amy said.

"I've let you down
then," Uncle Tom said. "I'm pushing you away from this place."

"No," Amy said.
She hurried to Uncle Tom and grabbed his hand. "No. Not at all."

"You don't want to
be here. Rightfully so. You're a smart woman, Amy. You shouldn't have to be in
the shadow of an old man."

"I'm not in your
shadow," Amy said.

"Yes you are,"
Uncle Tom said.

"Okay... fine... I
am. I thought it would be nice to have something else too. That's all. I've got
the kitchen running well enough. I sometimes feel like I'm in the way of the
restaurant, trying to find something to do. I could have two places to be at
once."

"You'd have no
time."

"Who do I need to
have time for?"

"Yourself,"
Uncle Tom said. "Your guy friend."

Amy blushed. Of course
Uncle Tom would bring up Luke. Luke was on his way to the restaurant already.

"I don't know what
else to say," Amy said. "I was just talking out loud with you. I'd
never walk away from this place. I couldn't even imagine actually opening a
bakery. I have no money for that."

"Life isn't always
about money," Uncle Tom said.

"But it sure helps
things," Amy said.

Guilty pain swelled
throughout her body. Money was a big problem and an even bigger secret. There
was another opportunity to tell Uncle Tom about Denny and the money she had
taken from him, but she let the moment pass.

"I just want to
apologize if I'm driving you away," Uncle Tom said.

"You're not,"
Amy said. "I think, I dream, like everyone else. There's a little place
next door that would be a perfect bakery. That's all. I saw it, I thought of
it..."

"Then you should do
it," Uncle Tom said.

"Sure thing,"
Amy replied with a smile. "I'll shake the money tree and get everything
worked out."

"You never
know," Uncle Tom said. "Go for a walk, Amy. Clear your mind. You've
been cooped up in the restaurant all day."

"The dinner
rush..."

"It's fine."

Uncle Tom hugged Amy and
then walked away. Amy slowly walked, moving along the side of the restaurant.
She knew she shouldn't have brought up the subject of the bakery to Uncle Tom.
She knew better than that. Of course he would take it to heart. Of course he
would look beyond what it actually meant. Not that any of it wasn't really
true. Confusion had officially set in by the time Amy walked to the end of the
restaurant. To her right was the building that had the open space for her dream
bakery. She didn't want to look but the urge was too great. Her head and heart
were playing games, torturing and teasing, thinking about Luke, thinking about the
bakery.

Amy walked to the empty
end space and stood at the door. Everything was dark and desolate, a dream
waiting to become a reality. She touched the door handle and tugged. Part of
Amy dreamed that it would be unlocked and be hers, but that required more money
than Amy had or ever would have.

"Amy..."

Amy turned slowly when
she heard the voice and felt like she had been struck by a truck.

"Denny."

(14)

Amy stepped back and hit
the door to the building. She put her hands down to the glass and realized she
was trapped. Her mind raced as she stared at Denny in a black leather jacket,
messy black hair and beady eyes, hell bent on causing trouble for Amy.

"Denny, what are you
doing here?"

"I thought I would
come and see what the fuss about this place was all about."

Denny moved toward Amy
and she slid away, wincing. Denny put his hands to the glass and looked inside.

"I don't get
it," he said.

"Get what?" Amy
asked.

"This is what you
want. An empty building."

"I don't have to
talk to you."

Amy took one step and
right on cue, like the strike of an angry snake, Denny's hand shot out and
grabbed her wrist. It was his warning move, the one Amy had endured many times.

"Actually, you do
have to talk to me," Denny said. "You owe me, baby."

Baby.

Amy cringed. She turned
her head. She was so close to the restaurant. Her safe haven.

"Go ahead
then," Denny said. He released his grip on Amy. "Go run to your
uncle. Tell him how mean I am."

Amy took a step but
stopped herself. What was this going to do? If she ran to the restaurant and
asked for help from Uncle Tom the truth would come out.

"He still doesn't
know," Denny laughed. "You gave the old man money and he thought it
was yours. I never pegged you for that kind of person, Amy. The kind that
steals."

"I didn't steal a
thing," Amy said. "You..."

Amy lost her words. It
wasn't worth it with Denny. He wouldn't listen and he definitely wouldn't care.

"Do you have my
money?" Denny asked.

"What do you think
I'm going to say right now?" Amy asked.

"I don't know,"
Denny said. "You're looking at this place. Maybe you've been saving a ton
of money and were planning on ignoring me."

"No, Denny, I don't
have tons of money."

"There's a line
outside that restaurant. Where's the money?"

"It's not my
restaurant," Amy said. "Uncle Tom kept it. He can't walk away."

"Maybe it's time
someone makes him."

Denny made a move toward
the restaurant and Amy put her hands out. She touched Denny's chest and hated
it. The thought of something happening to the restaurant worried her, but the
thought of something happening to Uncle Tom, that scared the hell out of Amy.

"Stop making
threats," Amy said. "Or..."

"Or what? You'll
tell him? You'll tell police? Please, do so. You're the criminal. I always knew
you were a bitch."

Amy gasped and a trigger
snapped in her. Amy's hand came around before she realized what was happening. She
slapped Denny's face. Amy had been dreaming of doing that for a long time and
it had finally happened. Probably at the worst time. They were in the dark,
mostly alone, and Denny looked ready to strike again.

"You're tough
now," Denny said. "Finally able to speak up and take a swing."

"It's not like
that," Amy said. "I'm sorry I did that."

"No, you're not. I
bet you want to do that again."

"Denny,
please," Amy begged. "What happened between us... it's all over,
okay? I will do something to get your money. If I can open this bakery, I'll
give you everything I make until you're paid back. It'll be my business and
nobody will have to know a thing about what I'm doing."

"That's the big
plan? Screw me first, take my money next, then push me away. Now I have to wait
some more. What if I said I was done? What if I said I was going to go into that
restaurant and tell the old man what you did?"

"Please."

"I like when you
beg," Denny said.

He inched his way closer
to Amy until there was no more room between then. "Tell me the truth, Amy.
Do you want to hit me again?"

Amy's mouth had run dry.
The thought of looking for help had expired; if she broke eye contact with
Denny he would hit her, Denny was just that kind of man.

"Amy?" Denny growled,
his voice indicating he was losing patience.

"Yes," Amy
said. "Yes, I want to hit you again. For everything you did to me. The
things you said. The lies you told. You're the reason I wasn't more involved in
the restaurant and the reason why I needed that money and the reason why I'm
stuck."

"Of course I know
you don't have the money," Denny said. "Maybe we can work something
else out."

"Oh yeah? Like
what?"

Denny put a hand to the
glass window behind Amy. He was slowly blocking her in, trapping her.

"I miss you
sometimes, Amy. Being together. Controlling you. That innocent look on your
face each time you saw my bike or saw me punch someone in the mouth. Let me
have you for the night, tonight, and I'll cut what's owed a little."

"I'm not a
whore," Amy said.

Denny grabbed Amy's jaw with
his other hand. "Yes, you are. You're my whore, Amy. Now it's time to pay
up..."

Denny started to smile
and the scene rapidly changed. Denny's hand came off the glass and he fell
forward, almost hitting Amy. He then turned and Amy realized it wasn't Denny
moving like that on his own. Someone had pulled Denny from the glass. When Amy
looked she couldn't believe her eyes.

Luke had Denny's shirt
twisted in his fist as he pulled Denny close to him.

"Luke, don't,"
Amy cried out.

That was the wrong thing
to say.

Denny started to laugh
and Luke looked ready to kill.

"Luke," Denny
said. "I take it you know Amy?"

"I take it you're
Denny," Luke said. "The one who threatened to burn down her uncle's
restaurant."

"Aw, you read her
text messages," Denny said. He turned and looked at Amy. "This must
be serious. I wonder if you've told him everything..."

"Tell me then,"
Luke said as he shook Denny.

Denny looked at Luke and
laughed again. "Don't trust a pretty, innocent face, Luke."

"How about I smash
yours in?"

Amy moved to get between
them, knowing how bad it could get. Before Amy could get close enough to stop
anything, Denny threw a right fist and hit Luke in the gut. It caught Luke off
guard and Luke released his grip on Denny. Denny then came with a left fist that
connected with Luke's face.

Amy let out a cry and
wasn't sure what to do.

Denny stood tall and
hovered over Luke. Denny wasn't a one punch kind of guy. He made a fist, ready
to unleash again on Luke. Thankfully, Luke moved faster than Denny, catching
Denny with a right fist to his face. Denny stumbled back and Luke made his
move. He swung again, hitting Denny back some more. Then Luke looked at Amy.
She could only imagine how terrified her face looked in that tense moment. Luke
curled his lip and went for Denny again. Denny threw a fist and hit Luke in the
gut again. As Luke let out a groan, he came down at Denny, finally knocking
Denny to the ground. Denny scrambled back and Luke made another fist. Amy
finally saw her opening and hurried to grab Luke's arm.

"Stop this,"
she said. Tears filled her eyes. "Just stop."

"If you get up I'll
knock you down again," Luke warned.

Denny touched his face
and lip. He was bleeding. He slowly brought himself to his feet, keeping a
distance between he and Luke and Amy. He nodded as he smiled.

"You're tough now,
Amy," Denny said. "Because you've got someone to throw your punches
for you. Wonder what he'll think when he learns the truth."

"Get the hell out of
here," Luke said.

"I'm just passing
along," Denny said. He tugged on his leather jacket and laughed. "It
was great to see you, Amy. Great to meet you, Luke. Watch your backs."

Luke stepped and Amy
gripped his arm tighter. Denny would do anything to goad someone into throwing
one more punch to start everything over again.

Denny walked away and
when Amy felt safe she turned and looked at Luke.

"You're really
here," she said.

"And he's really
dangerous," Luke said.

"Yes, he is."

There was a silence and
Luke started to move in for a kiss. Amy stopped him and touched his face
instead. With her thumb, she touched where she saw blood.

"I can't believe he
hit you," Amy said.

"I can't believe
what he said to you," Luke said.

"How much did you
hear?"

"I was going to
sneak up on you and surprise you. Then I heard voices... when he called you a
whore..."

"It's okay,"
Amy said.

"It's not
okay," Luke said.

"Maybe I deserved
it."

"Nobody deserves
that. Ever."

"Let's get you
cleaned up and I'll leave work early."

Amy started to walk and
when Luke put his arm around her, she felt safe. Finally. The guilt ran through
her body like wildfire as she walked Luke along the side of the restaurant. She
brought Luke through the back, hoping to keep him hidden as best as possible.

"Stand here,"
she said. "I'll get you cleaned up."

Amy left and came back
with a wet cloth. She started to hand it to Luke when Uncle Tom appeared from
nowhere.

"What the hell
happened here?" he asked. "Did you do this, Amy?"

Luke let out a laugh and
wiped the blood from his mouth. "No."

"Who did this?"
Uncle Tom asked.

Amy looked at Uncle Tom
and her eyes gave it all away.

"Ah, damn," he
said. "I can't stand that guy."

"Denny?" Luke
asked.

"Yes," Uncle
Tom said. "He hit you?"

"He got worse,"
Luke said. "Trust me."

"This guy... he's no
good."

"It's fine,"
Luke said. "I took care of it. He needed someone to stand up to him,
that's all."

Amy didn't say a word
because that wasn't the case at all. Denny wasn't some bully who would back
down because someone socked him in the face a few times. This ran deeper than
anyone knew.

"I'm going to get
Luke cleaned up," Amy said. "I'm leaving."

"Get him patched
up," Uncle Tom said. "Then call the damn police and get Denny put
away."

"Uncle Tom,"
Amy said. "Relax."

"If Luke wasn't with
you..."

"But I was,"
Luke said. "Amy is okay. She's safe."

"I'm sorry,
Luke," Uncle Tom said. "That guy, he's a piece of work."

"A piece of
something else," Amy muttered.

"Everything is good
now," Luke said.

Uncle Tom backed away and
Amy took Luke by the hand. "I don't want to be here anymore."

"We're leaving
then," Luke said. "Where do you want to go?"

Amy, feeling enraged,
guilty, and reeling from the butterflies in her stomach, grabbed him by the
shirt and pulled at him. They were inches from kissing.

"I want you to take
me to my bed," Amy whispered.

**

Luke found himself in a
familiar position. He was in Amy's bedroom, her body against his, the passion
between them burning. The only difference now was the sense of urgency and need
that hadn't been present before. Luke wanted to strip Amy and have her in a way
that made her feel protected and okay. The domination running through his mind
was all for the desire he couldn't control. His hands were on Amy's hips, but
they wouldn't last long there at all.

Amy kissed Luke with a
fiery need. Her mouth tasted sweet, her anxious tongue flirted with Luke's
tongue. Her hands started on his shoulders, perhaps keeping things at bay, but
that quickly changed. Amy's hands moved down Luke's body and when she lifted
his shirt, Luke prepared to lift his arms, only Amy wasn't interested in Luke's
shirt coming off. Her hands stopped elsewhere, at Luke's pants. Her hands fingers
diligently opened his belt and his pants. She was so eager that Luke was almost
painfully hard.

With their kiss broken,
Luke watched Amy work. She seemed nervous. It made him smile. She pushed his
pants and boxers down, then with a the soft touch, she squeezed and pulled. Luke
groaned, finally getting chance to take his turn. The first thing he did was
grab his own shirt and lift it over his head. He touched her face with both
hands, keeping her stare to him, then kissed her. He made sure it was a
memorable kiss.

Her hand wrapped around
him felt perfect and each time he teased her, she would squeeze tighter. Luke
sped his actions up then, taking Amy’s shirt up and off her body. She had to
let him go and Luke refused to let her touch him again. Once he had Amy
topless, he carried her right to the bed. He was on top of her, his right hand
eagerly moving to touch Amy’s supple breasts to feel the warmth of her chest in
the palm of his hand. She moaned and arched her back when he touched her. By
the time he unbuttoned Amy’s pants, her hands were there, pushing them down
herself.

Luke stopped Amy. “It’s
okay, baby, let me take care of everything.”

Amy was about ready to
protest, but instead she put her hands to the bed and gripped the sheets. She
lifted her lower half and Luke delicately took the rest of her clothing off. As
Amy appeared before his eyes, his body ached even more. He needed to have her
or else he wasn’t going to last much longer.

As Luke came forward he
gently slid his hand up Amy’s leg and then into her inner thigh. His fingertips
touched her center and she jumped.

“I’m right here,” Luke
whispered. He lowered his lips to her neck and kissed her. His fingers pressed.
He felt her tightness. “Tell me when…”

Amy caressed the back of
Luke’s shoulders. She nuzzled at his ear and then whispered, “Right now.
Please, Luke, I need you.”

Luke groaned. He took his
hand away from Amy and replaced it with something else. Luke kept his arms
locked and looked down at Amy’s beautiful body. He marveled her subtle curves,
every part of her body drove him wild.