Her backpack was loaded with water bottles and hiking snacks. She was excited to have her first daytime date. She and Callum had figured an afternoon hike would be safe enough. She was eager to show him the waterfall. Aside from the tree fort, it was her only escape.
Unfortunately, her bright smile was smacked from her face when she pulled open the door to Go and Bro’s Towing and spotted Benjamin speaking with Duncan.
Then she realized the Plymouth parked outside was Benjamin’s mom’s car.
Great.
Easing the door shut, Vivian slipped inside. Duncan made the briefest eye contact before focusing on Benjamin. Her brother’s friend had his back to her.
Attempting to close the door as silently as possible, Vivian slipped into the waiting room and sunk into a chair. Grabbing a magazine, she lifted it in front of her face, hoping it would shield her from Benjamin’s notice.
But when it came to Benjamin, she’d never had good luck.
“Well, well, well, look who we have here,” Benjamin’s voice grated on her nerves.
Rolling her eyes, she tossed the magazine back onto the table. So much for a shield. “Hi, Benjamin. Hi, Duncan.”
At least Duncan was present. A witness made her feel a little safer.
Benjamin leaned his elbows on the counter and scanned her, his head cocked to the side. “Why are you here? You don’t even have a car.”
Behind the counter, Duncan straightened, smirking. “Bet I know why you’re here.”
Vivian’s eyes went wide. Did Duncan know? Was her secret exposed?
“To check out that Dodge I was telling you about, right?”
Unsure what to say, she stared at the mechanic in confusion.
Duncan gave her a silly, forgetful woman look, and shook his head. He knocked Benjamin’s elbow. “Vivian’s looking for her first car and I agreed to help her out. Favor for Rafe. They’re close.”
“I’ve heard.” Benjamin pushed away from the counter and sauntered forward. “I could have helped you with that, Vivi. I still could, in fact.”
“I’m good, thanks.” She stood up. Was it better to stay in this room, or to flee? Ordinarily, she would have made a break for it, but Duncan was here. He’d help her, right?
“I don’t mind.” The beta grew closer.
“Benji,” Duncan’s tone held a warning.
Benjamin ignored him. “I don’t mind teaching you how to drive a stick.”
His innuendo was clear.
Vivian narrowed her eyes. “I said no thank you.”
“Come on, Vivi, give me a chance. I promise to go easy on you.” He touched her chin. She tried to pull away, but he held her tightly. “The first time, anyway.”
His smarmy laugh was ringing in her ears, and she barely registered Duncan’s, “Bad idea, mate,” before Callum was there.
Benjamin’s arm was wrenched behind his back as Callum held him pinned to the wall. “Don’t fucking touch her.”
“What’s your problem, man? Who the fuck are you?”
Callum shoved him harder against the wall. “She said no.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about. Vivian–”
Callum pulled him from the wall and slammed him into it again. “Don’t you say her name.”
Benjamin growled, a snarl low and mean. Everyone knew that noise. If she didn’t do something to intervene, they’d be shifting and at each other’s throats.
She took a step forward, but Duncan grabbed her. “Don’t,” he warned.
Before she could respond, a loud voice boomed across the room. “What is going on here?”
Elliot stood, towering over them all, hands on his hips, a stern frown on his face.
Vivian paled. He was using his drill sergeant tone. She’d never been this close to him when he was in work mode, and it was absolutely terrifying.
Callum didn’t release his hold.
“This guy just attacked me!” Benjamin squeaked.
“He was making unwanted advances on Vivian,” Callum said, his gaze never leaving Benjamin.
“That’s not true!”
“It’s totally true!” Vivian called. When Elliot looked at her, she cowered again, making Duncan chuckle.
“Let him go,” Elliot commanded, his tone a fraction of an inch softer.
Jaw tight, Callum glanced over his shoulder, clearly debating it.
Finally, with one last shove, he let Benjamin go.
Shooting daggers at both her and Callum, Benjamin shook himself. “Sarge, who is this guy?”
“The better question,” Elliot started, “is what’s going on between you and Vivian.”
“Nothing.”
Elliot looked at her. “That true?”
Taking a moment, she looked at all the men there. Duncan seemed mildly concerned. Callum was still pissed, as was Benjamin, and the fact that they were standing close together had her worried their fight wasn’t over yet. And Elliot looked at her with a patience she’d come to recognize.
Shaking her head, she glanced at them all before focusing on Elliot. She wasn’t sure she could look at Callum while she explained her relationship with her brother’s friend.
“He’s always harassing me–”
“That’s not true!” Benjamin cried.
Next to him, Callum snarled.
“Benjamin!” Elliot snapped.
When they’d quieted again, Vivian pushed herself to admit what had been happening for years now. “He’s always touching me and trying to kiss me and saying lewd things. He won’t leave me alone when I tell him to stop.”
“She’s twisting it!” Benjamin said. “I’m trying to give her an out from her old man. I’m trying to save her from Hara! What happens when her dad can’t pay the debt he owes Hara?”
What debt?
“My interest is legitimate. It’s not like I just want to fuck her. I’ve offered to mate her.”
Callum tensed and would have leaped at Benjamin again if Elliot hadn’t intervened.
He put his big body between the two. “Go to the break room and cool off,” he ordered his cousin. When Callum hesitated, alpha power emanated from Elliot. “Now.”
Callum glared at his cousin and pointed a finger. “Keep her safe.”
Elliot gave a curt nod.
“Who is this guy?”
With narrowed eyes, Callum replied, “I’m the guy who’s going to kick your ass if you disrespect another woman. And I’ll fucking bury you if you go near Vivian again.”
Benjamin raged, but before he could jump at Callum, Elliot’s big palm engulfed his face. Shoving him, Elliot sent Benjamin back against the wall.
Stunned, he stayed there.
“Get the fuck out,” Elliot instructed. “I’ll deal with you in the morning.”
“But, Sarge–”
“Get out of my sight right now.” Elliot’s tone was so menacing, Vivian shook.
Duncan glanced over at her. He grabbed Benjamin’s mom’s keys from the counter before following him to the door. Tossing them at Benjamin, he told him, “Find someone else to do your mom’s breaks. Tell her you’re not allowed back here until you can respect women.”
Open mouth, Benjamin sputtered, “But–”
“There’s lots of videos on YouTube. Figure out how to do it yourself.”
Benjamin glared, but didn’t reply.
They all watched as he got into the Plymouth and drove out of the parking lot.
Once he ripped down the road, Callum crossed the room and gathered Vivian in a hug. Lifting her chin, his wore a crossed expression as he stared down at her. “I want to know all of it.”
“Okay.”
“But for now…” Trailing off, he lowered his mouth to hers. Briefly, he kissed her lips before resting his forehead against hers. “Don’t scare me like that again, okay?”
Unsure if it was a promise she could keep, she nodded. At least for this moment, she was safe. She wrapped her arms around him and muffled her tears in his chest.
When they stopped, she looked up and noticed they were all watching her. Elliot came closer. “You remember that night? When it was raining?”
She nodded.
“This is the type of thing we were talking about. You promised to come to us with shit like this. We can’t keep you safe if you don’t tell us what’s happening.”
Laying her head against Callum’s chest, she nodded. “Okay.”
“You’re mine now,” Callum’s voice vibrated through her. “Come to me first.”
Honestly, she’d forgotten about Benjamin. She had tunnel vision since Callum’s arrival. “I just want to forget about him.” Huffing, she felt useless. “Our day is ruined now. I’m sorry.”
Callum’s chest rumbled with a chuckle. “It’s still salvageable.” He kissed the top of her head. “I promise.”
Letting herself believe that, she tightened her arms around him once more, reluctant to release him just yet.