The Trouble With Ava

Chapter 1 Boss Ross

New Orleans

Ava looked down remembering her phone had a dead battery, not that she'd risk turning it on and activating the GPS. Storm clouds moved in fast as she parked her car outside what looked like a busy bar called Rusty's. She moved her dark red hair to better cover her face before she opened the door right as the clouds burst into a heavy downpour and thunder rumbled loudly in the distance. Lightning cracked across the sky as the lights flickered in the building. She shuffled inside quickly and let the door swing shut behind her with a loud thump. She peered around the crowded space as she heard balls click and clack on the pool tables off to the side. She made her way to the bar's counter and smiled timidly at the older man behind the counter.

"What can I get ya darlin'?" he asked winking at her.

"Um, I was actually looking for a pay phone," she said timidly, "My phone died and I'm a little lost."

"Afraid there ain't a pay phone around here sweet cheeks. Where you trying to get to?"

She pulled out a piece of paper and showed him the address.

"Sweetheart if you're lookin for Barney Ross all you need to do is look over there."

He pointed to the table in the corner with a group of men sitting around it. She hunched her shoulders a bit and ducked her head.

"They're big," she whispered.

The man behind the bar laughed out loudly, "Yeah that they are sweetheart that they are. Hey Barney! Someone lookin for you!"

Her eyes widened as the whole table turned their gaze towards her. She didn't notice most of the bar had stopped to look as well.

"Thanks," she said sarcastically.

He chuckled and winked at her, "Anytime sweet cheeks anytime."

She grumbled and looked back at the table. They were all still staring at her. She took a deep breath and slowly made her way to the table.

"She looks a bit scared of us," Lee said in his smooth British accent.

"She looks kind of familiar," Barney said frowning.

"She looks a bit young for you," Lee said.

"That's not what I meant," Barney said.

She stopped at the edge of the table and took another deep breath, "Which one of you is Barney Ross?"

"Depends on who's askin?" Barney said lowly.

Her eyes roamed slowly over his face, "Well I see I got your complexion, but I'm thinking I got most of my genes from mom."

All the guys seemed to hold their breath at that statement. They looked between the young woman and Barney.

She slowly held her hand out towards Barney, "Ava Merri Ross. Guess she didn't want me to have gramps last name."

Barney frowned taking her hand, "Who's your mother?"

"Francis Regati," Ava said.

Barney looked like someone had punched him in the gut as he let her hand go, "Frani? You're Frani's?"

She rolled her eyes, "We can do a DNA test if it'd make you feel better, but my aunt Susan sent me here to stay safe."

Barney looked closer at her, "What exactly do you need to be kept safe from?"

Ava's lip quivered a bit before she took in a deep breath. She moved her hair aside and looked back down at him. All the guys hissed or growled when they saw the dark bruise crawling around her left eye. It wasn't swollen shut, but it was obvious there had been some force behind it.

"Who did that to you?" Lee growled.

None of the guys would hurt a woman or child. To see Barney's daughter hurt sent them all into protective mode.

"Ex fiancee," she whispered loudly looking at the floor, "Caught him in bed with two women and he didn't like me walking out on him.

"Why did you run here?" Gunnar asked in his deep voice as his arm circled protectively around the waist of the pregnant woman sitting in his lap.

"Barney is the only family I got besides Aunt Susan. And my ex has an . . .influential father who would have no trouble tracking me down if his only son asked him to. Thinks his son hangs the moon," Ava said sadly as her shoulders sunk lower, "He already lost me my job."

"What did you do for work?" Lee asked unknowing of the way Ava's knees seemed to weaken every time the Brit spoke.

She shook her head to clear it, "Fix things. Computers, vehicles, and anything I can get my hands on really. Mom always said I had a knack for clicking with machines. I've invented a few gadgets of my own, but they'll probably never see the light of day."

"She definitely got her brains from her mother too," Yang said laughing.

"Oh I'm not sure on that," Ava said quietly as the guys chuckled, "I've heard what you all do for a living. Have to have just as much brains as brawn."

The guys quieted at her knowledge of their mercenary lifestyle.

"You realize it might be more dangerous here?" Barney asked.

"Here he may try to threaten you instead of Susan," she said tilting her head, "I think you know how to kick a little more ass than her."

The guys all laughed, "That's true."

"I suppose that means you need a place to stay?" Barney asked as he stood.

"Yeah," she said as her eyes widened when he got to his full height.

"You are a LOT taller than I thought you'd be," she mumbled, "Must get my height genes from mom too."

"Apparently."

"She told me I have your attitude and temper tho," she said thoughtfully, "Should prove interesting."

Her fear of these men evaporated as their laughter and jokes filled the air. Barney motioned outside and she followed. The storm had quieted enough to barely sprinkle. Lee followed them out. Barney and Lee pointed off in the far distance to the airfield where a simple plane hangar was attached to a large shop and apartment. She nodded and got into her car to follow them over.

"You have any bags with you?" Lee asked.

"I brought everything that wasn't destroyed with me," she said quietly.

"Destroyed?" Barney asked as she opened her trunk.

"Apparently setting my house on fire was the icing on the cake for him. He tried to force me to move in with him," she shivered in memory before shaking her head again.

Lee picked up a large crate wondering how she got it in the car, "Hell! What did you pack in this thing?"

"One of the few things that didn't burn," she got a smug look on her face, "My tools."

Barney and Lee helped her unpack her car and Barney showed her to a bedroom that was being used as storage.

"We'll get the guys over tomorrow to move this stuff to another room. Get it cleaned up and get you a bed tomorrow," Barney said softly, "There's a couch downstairs that's pretty comfortable for tonight." "Thank you," she said quietly.

"We do what we can for family," he said as he patted her shoulder, "I'll get you some blankets and a pillow or two."

She nodded as he turned and walked out. Lee stood off to the side in the hallway. He looked over at her in concern.

"Anyone have a look at that?" he asked as he nodded to her face.

"My aunt is a nurse," she said quietly, "She took me to a doctor that would keep it quiet. Ribs are bruised pretty bad too, but at least they aren't cracked or broken."

He took in a deep breath at that information, "Any chance you were followed?"

"No," she said thoughtfully, "But if one of you guys knows how to teach self defense I'd appreciate it."

"I can do that," he said without a moment's hesitation, "Any of the guys are sure to chip in with their own two cents."

"I'd like that," she smiled gently, "Hopefully I'll heal fast. Meanwhile, anything you guys have to fix feel free to bring it over to keep me busy. I don't like to sit idly. Spare parts are always welcome too. I can always find something to make."

Lee grinned and nodded, "I'm sure Gunnar has plenty of spare parts to unload."

"Which one was Gunnar?"

"The big blonde with the pregnant woman in his lap."

"Oh," she said smiling, "How far is she along anyways?"

"About ready to pop she says," Lee smiled widely, "Her name is Dixie. She's a sweet girl. They're engaged."

"I'll have to congratulate her then," she said smiling, "On both the engagement and the baby. She know what she's having?"

"They want to keep it a surprise."

The sound of boots heading up the stairs reached them and they both turned to Barney as he soon appeared.

"Couch is all made up for ya," he said as he hiked his thumb back the direction he came.

"Thanks Dad," she said quietly.

Barney's eyes softened at the words, "No problem Sweetheart."

He turned and headed down the hall to his own room and Lee saw her downstairs. He made sure to tell her where everything was before heading out for the night. As she bundled down into the blankets and looked at the beams crossing the ceiling above her, she smiled sweetly at the direction her day had gone.