Page 24 of Challenging Her Protector

“Oh my God. I’m so sorry. What a stupid, insensitive thing to bring up.” A look of pure horror dampened Brynn’s expression of joy.

“What is it?” Vivienne asked. “What’s wrong?”

Brynn stopped and turned to her. “I shouldn’t be mentioning my upcoming wedding when you had to make such a difficult decision aboutyourfuture. It must’ve been hard to make that decide to leave.”

“It wasn’t easy, but not because I was in love with my fiancé. Our marriage was arranged by our families. Once he started showing his true personality, I was scared, not excited by the prospect of marrying him. Leaving my rehearsal dinner with Iron and Silver is the best decision I ever made.” She sunk down on the sand, so the tips of her toes touched the water when it rolled up the beach.

“Hannah said you were incredibly brave standing up to your sister Regina. That by distracting her, you saved Hannah’s life. Thank you for being strong enough to do that.” Sam dropped down beside her.

“She really said that?” Goose bumps raced down her arms and pain lodged in the back of her throat. That was by far the kindest thing someone had ever said about her. “Hannah, Collen, Branch, Iron, Silver—they were the brave ones. I wouldn’t be here if Iron hadn’t jumped on top of me to shield me from a bullet.”

“What do you think about Iron?” Addy rolled up the hem of her pants, until they were mid-calf and stepped into the water.

“I think he’s the kindest person I’ve ever met.” Flutters filled her stomach. She shouldn’t have such an infatuation with her rescuer, but Iron was appealing to her in every way.

The women said nothing, simply smiled. “What is it?”

“Well, our men are very similar. They fall fast and hard, so watch out.”

“Oh, it’s not like that. I’m sure he feels very much responsible for me. He’s just helping a friend. He’s said so himself.” Maybe someday, though, when she was settled into her life here, standing on her own two feet, she’d enjoy trying to change his mind.

Chapter Ten

“Holy shit.” Oneof his guys, Rick, drew out the words. “I’m handling this next customer.”

A low whistle came from one of the mechanics who was going out on break. “I wouldn’t mind working behind the counter for a few minutes.”

Iron glanced up from the papers he was trying to organize and did a double take, then scowled. “That’s Vivienne, a friend of mine. Make her uncomfortable and you’ll be on bathroom cleaning duty for a month,” he grumbled.

The men went silent, but a stab of jealousy punctured his chest. They were both young and fit. Good guys with no vices tying them down. Vee was free to date whomever she wanted. She was in a T-shirt and jeans that hugged her body from her hips to her ankles. Her hair was loose and wavy around her shoulders, and she clutched something in her hands as she moved through the parking lot. He spotted Brynn’s accessible van and appreciated that she was waiting for her to get safely inside.

He stood up and walked to the door. His limb felt surprisingly good today, or maybe it was remembering how open and caring Vee was as she massaged ointment into his tight, bruised skin. She had no idea that she was the only person aside from him to touch his amputated limb. At first, he was uncomfortable as hell when she knelt on the floor and took the lotion from his hands, but he relaxed when there was no revulsion or disgust on her face. For someone who had been raised by extremely wealthy and judgmental people, Vee’s acceptance and big heart were a gift. When she said she wanted to move away from that lifestyle, he believed her. She had too soft of a heart not to share it with others. He stepped out of the collision center and waved to Brynn and the other women in the car, before turning his gaze to Vee.

“Hey. Did you have an okay time?” He felt the weight of his shitstorm of a day lift off his shoulders when she grinned at him.

“I did. They’re all so nice. I can’t believe they came over to meet me and bring me supplies. I was wondering how you were doing here the whole time, though. I finally asked if they would drive me here.”

Her concern for him had him drawing in a long breath. He’d been blessed with a family who cared for him, but it had been a long time since someone else had expressed that they were thinking of him. Coming from Vee, it meant even more. He shouldn’t embrace the warmth spreading through his chest. Shouldn’t be stepping closer to her. “Good timing. I’m just wrapping up.”

She held whatever was in her hands close to her chest. “Don’t rush because of me.”

“What do you have there?” He tilted his chin toward her hands.

“I found the most beautiful shell today. It’s for you.” She opened her palms and gazed up at him with eyes that sparkled brightly.

“For me?” He was aware of the beat of his heart and the woman in front of him. Everything else seemed to fade into the background. What he’d been doing at the shop, his irrational jealousy, and the guilt over being a shit son and brother seemed to dissolve.

“Yes, silly.” She gave him a gentle nudge and chuckled, like it was every day he received a thoughtful gift. “A treasure that appeared unexpectedly. Just like you.”

If only for this moment, he was completely immersed in what Vee was showing him and the way her gesture made him feel. She’d plucked this pretty shell from the ocean and thought of him. Her smile was so fucking bright, so endearing, he wanted to kiss the hell out of her right in front of the shop. Instead, he placed his hands under hers and stared down at the shell.

“Vee.” His voice was brimming with emotion, but he couldn’t have cared less. “I’m going to keep this forever.” He was worried he wanted to keep her forever, too, but he kept that to himself.

“You should keep it here, so you have a little piece of your ocean inside your office.” A glossed strand of her pale hair fell forward, skimming over the cream and orange shell. He looked up from where their hands were connected around the shell, but her eyes were already fixed on his face.

He held her gaze as blood pounded through his body. “You know, that’s a damn good idea.” He couldn’t help it if his voice had dropped a few octaves.

“Will you show me around?” A cloud parted above them, and a stream of sun highlighted the light dusting of freckles over the bridge of her nose.

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