Page 12 of Callahan's Haven

“Come dance with me,” he said—his speech slurred—and grabbed Haven’s wrist. Cal growled low when the drunk pulled on her to follow him while Haven resisted.

“Shit,” Solace whispered. “We’ve got trouble.” A sudden silence filled his ear comm as Solace moved in closer to the girls.

“Brayden, get out of here with your stupid, drunk ass.”

“Destiny… He’s too big,” Cal muttered when she put herself between Haven and the aforementioned drunk ass.

“What’s happening?” Garrett asked—his voice wiped of all humor—while Cal did all he could to hold himself in place.

“Davidson has it.” He hoped he sounded calm because inside he was as desperate to get to his woman as Garrett.

“Mind your own damned business, you little slut. Everyone knows…” The jock sneered as Destiny’s dark mocha complexion turned ashen. “More important,youknow what you are.” He pushed her hard and she stumbled toward one of the heaters, but Hope caught her arm and steadied her while a gasp came up from the crowd.

“What just happened?” Garrett demanded.

Solace moved closer, her harsh whisper of, “Where’s my gun when I need it,” blending in with several people calling for someone to get Brayden out of there.

“Goddammit, I’m going in!”

“Stand down, Wallace!” That was all he needed—Garrett rushing in and killing the guy.

“Fuck th—”

“Garrett!” Cal knew it wasn’t easy to sit by helplessly, but they had to trust Solace to do what she was there to do. “Solace is moving in.”

“You just made a big mistake.” Haven’s deadly calm voice hit him.

Cal pulled his attention away from Solace moving up behind the bully to find Haven grabbing the hand covering her wrist. “Agreatbig one,” she said, pulling the swaying guy toward her and then giving him a swift kick to the shin.

The drunk yelled out and stumbled while Haven kept hold of his hand at her wrist. She swung her arm up and rotated his arm—hyperextending his elbow—before grabbing the same wrist with her free hand and twisting it as she moved behind him. He yelled out again as she used the leverage she’d gained to drive him to his knees.

Cal grinned as she finished him off by planting her foot on his ass and sending him sprawling with a hard push.

Haven had taken the asshole down in seconds. It was a beautiful thing to behold.

Several people in the crowd cheered while others laughed and pointed at Brayden as he lumbered to his feet, yelling, “You fucking bitch!”

Cal took a few steps down the hill when the drunk made a move to lunge for Haven but stopped himself from dropping his equipment and running when more guys in jerseys grabbed him and pulled him away.

“You better watch yourself,” Brayden threatened before the others took him through the parting crowd.

Cal let out a relieved breath and refocused his equipment on the trio. Haven seemed no worse for wear and basically ignored everyone else but her friends. She ran a hand over Destiny’s arm. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” Destiny said, visibly shaking it off and giving her friend a small grin. “So, when are you going to teachusthat kung fu shit?”

Haven laughed and shook her head. “Jujitsu. And, yes, we need to look into that,” she said, pulling her in for a quick hug and then stepping back and looking between the two of them. “I don’t know about you, but I think I’ve had enough fun for one night.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” Hope pulled Destiny in for her own hug, her low, “Don’t let that asshole’s words take up space in your head,” almost too quiet for him to hear over the surrounding noise.

“Come on,” Destiny said, linking her arms with the two women flanking her. They went inside with Hope complaining about grabby men and the other two laughing.

“Declan.” Cal took off the headgear and started putting the equipment in its carrier, all the while giving instructions. “Watch the front. Make sure the girls get to their car without incident.”

“Gotcha.”

“Solace—”

“I’m following now,” she said. “Your girl’s one tough cookie.” Her voice held a definite smile and perhaps some admiration. Her tone sobered. “Garrett?”

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