Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
Olivia
The next morning, I'm arranging products on the shelves when the bell above the salon door jingles. I look up, a generic greeting forming on my lips, but the words die in my throat.
"Harlan? Cole?" I practically shriek, dropping the bottle of shampoo I'd been holding.
My twin older brothers grin as I launch myself across the salon, throwing my arms around them both. Harlan catches me easily, lifting me off my feet in a bear hug before passing me to Cole.
"Surprise, squirt," Cole says, ruffling my hair affectionately. "Miss us?"
"What are you doing here?" I ask, stepping back to look at them properly. They're both tanned and fit, Harlan's dark hair longer than when I last saw him weeks ago, Cole's military short as always. "I thought you guys were still at State!"
"Semester ended early for us," Harlan explains, his smile fading as his eyes narrow, studying my face. "What the hell happened to your eye?"
I touch the faint yellowish bruise that’s barely visible. "It's nothing. Just a little girls' night drama that got out of hand."
"Girls' night drama," Cole repeats flatly, exchanging a look with Harlan that I recognize all too well. "And why are we just now hearing about this?"
"Because it wasn't a big deal," I insist, suddenly aware that my other clients are watching this reunion with undisguised interest. "Let's talk in the back."
Once in Aunt Brittany's office, I close the door and turn to face my brothers, whose expressions have hardened from concerned to downright angry.
"Explain," Harlan demands, arms crossed over his chest. "Now."
"It was just a bar fight," I begin, but Cole cuts me off.
"Just a bar fight? Livie, your eye is bruised. And what's this we hear about mob connections and death threats?"
My stomach drops. "How do you—"
"Dad called us," Harlan says, his voice tight with barely controlled fury. "Last night. After Mason finally bothered to mention that our little sister has been in danger for weeks."
"I can't believe no one told us," Cole continues, pacing the small office like a caged animal. "Our baby sister gets mixed up with the mob, nearly gets killed, and we have to hear about it from Dad? After the fact?"
"I didn't want to worry you," I protest weakly. "You were in the middle of finals, and—"
"Bullshit," Harlan snaps. "We're family. We had a right to know."
I sink into Aunt Brittany's chair, suddenly exhausted. "I know. I'm sorry. Everything happened so fast, and then Greyson was handling it, and—"
"Greyson?" Cole interrupts, his eyebrows shooting up. "Greyson Reed? The Greyson Reed who's been after you since high school? That Greyson?"
I feel heat rise to my cheeks. "Yes, that Greyson. We're… together now."
My brothers exchange another loaded look.
"Define 'together,'" Harlan says carefully.
"Together as in he's my man and I'm his woman," I reply, lifting my chin defiantly. "It's serious."
Cole lets out a low whistle. "Well, that explains a few things. Like why Dad sounded ready to murder someone when he mentioned Greyson's name."
"Dad's fine with it," I protest. "He and Greyson have worked everything out."
"Maybe," Cole concedes, though he doesn't look convinced. "But that doesn't change the fact that you've been in danger, and no one bothered to tell us."
"I'm sorry," I say again, reaching for his hand. "I should have called you both. But honestly, it's been handled. Diane's gone, the mob connection has gone quiet, and I'm perfectly safe."
"Diane," Harlan repeats, his expression darkening. "Your so-called best friend who set you up to be killed?"
I flinch at his bluntness. "It wasn't exactly like that. She was in trouble, and—"
"And she used you as a human shield," Cole finishes, his voice hard. "If I ever see that bitch—"
"You won't," I cut him off. "No one's seen her in weeks. Not since she was spotted running through town, being chased by some men in suits."
Both of my brothers go very still.
"Men in suits," Harlan says slowly. "Chasing Diane. And no one's seen her since."
I nod, a chill running down my spine as I say it out loud. "I tried calling her, but her phone goes straight to voicemail. Greyson thinks she left town, but…"
"But you don't believe that," Cole finishes, knowing me too well.
"I don't know what to believe," I admit. "Part of me hopes she got away. But another part…"
"Knows better," Harlan supplies grimly.
We fall silent, the implications hanging heavy in the air. If Diane didn't escape, if the men in suits caught up to her, then she's either dead or wishing she was.
"Well," Cole says finally, his voice forcibly lighter, "at least we're here now. And we're not leaving until we're sure you're safe."
"Actually," Harlan adds with a small smile, "we're not leaving at all. We've both transferred to a local community college to finish our degrees. We're home for good."
Joy bubbles up inside me, momentarily pushing aside the darker thoughts. "Really? You're staying?"
"Really," Cole confirms. "Dad needs us. The club needs us. And, apparently, our little sister needs someone watching her back."
"I have people watching my back," I protest, though I can't keep the smile from my face.
"Yeah, well, now you have two more," Harlan says firmly. "And we're going to have a little chat with Greyson Reed about keeping us in the loop when our sister is in danger."
I groan, imagining that conversation playing out. "Please don't start anything. Greyson's been amazing through all of this."
"We're not going to start anything," Cole assures me, though the glint in his eye suggests otherwise. "Just a friendly conversation between your brothers and your… man."
The way he says "man" makes it clear he's not entirely comfortable with the terminology. But before I can argue further, the bell above the salon door jingles again, and Aunt Brittany's voice calls my name.
"We should let you get back to work," Harlan says, pulling me in for another hug. "But we're not done with this conversation. Dinner tonight? Our place?"
"Your place?" I echo, confused.
"We rented the old Miller house on Elm Street," Cole explains. "Three bedrooms, big garage for the bikes. It's perfect."
"I'd love to," I agree, already mentally rescheduling my plans with Greyson. "But I should warn you, Greyson might insist on coming with me."
My brothers exchange another look, this one almost predatory.
"Perfect," Harlan says with a smile that doesn't reach his eyes. "We were hoping to meet him properly anyway. Oh, and you get to meet Cole’s woman."
My mouth drops open in shock and excitement.
As they leave, each pressing a kiss to my forehead with promises to see me later, I can't help feeling both thrilled and apprehensive. Having my brothers home is everything I've wanted, the final pieces of my family puzzle clicking into place.
But the thought of Greyson facing down my older brothers, especially after they've just learned about the danger I've been in? That's a powder keg waiting for a spark.
* * *
I walk out of the salon to find Greyson leaning against his bike, arms crossed over his chest, sunglasses hiding his eyes. Even in casual clothes, dark jeans, and a black t-shirt that stretches across his broad shoulders, he radiates that dangerous confidence that first drew me to him.
"Hey," I say, approaching him cautiously. Something in his posture tells me he's already heard about my brothers' visit.
"Hey yourself." He pushes off from the bike, removing his sunglasses to reveal eyes that are carefully neutral. "Interesting day?"
I bite my lip. "You heard."
"Small town," he replies with a shrug that doesn't fool me for a second. "Word travels fast when two Bennett boys roll into town unannounced."
"They're home for good," I tell him, trying to gauge his reaction. "Transferred schools to finish their degrees here."
"So I heard." He steps closer, his hand finding my waist in that possessive gesture that's become second nature. "Also heard they're less than thrilled about being kept in the dark regarding recent events."
I lean into his touch, seeking reassurance. "They're just worried. They'll calm down once they get to know you better."
His laugh is short and humorless. "Will they? Because according to Zach, who got an earful from Tiana, they spent a good chunk of time at the compound this afternoon having a very animated conversation with your father about my intentions toward you."
My stomach drops. "Oh God. What did Dad tell them?"
"Nothing that wasn't true," Greyson says, his thumb tracing circles on my hip. "But apparently your brothers have some strong opinions about older men who 'take advantage' of their baby sister."
"You didn't take advantage of me," I protest immediately. "I'm twenty years old, and I make my own choices."
"I know that. You know that. Your brothers, however, seem to think I'm some kind of predator who's been waiting for you to come home so I could pounce."
The image is so ridiculous I almost laugh, but the tension in Greyson's shoulders tells me this isn't funny to him. "What exactly did they say?"
"They made their position very clear," he replies dryly. "And they've invited us both to dinner tonight so we can all 'get to know each other better.'"
"Oh no." I can already imagine how that conversation will go. "We don't have to go. I can make an excuse—"
"No." His grip on my waist tightens. "I'm not running from your brothers, Livie. If they want to have it out with me, we'll have it out."
"Greyson—"
"I love you," he cuts me off, his voice fierce. "And I'm not going anywhere. Your brothers need to understand that."
The determination in his voice sends warmth flooding through me. "I love you too. But they can be… intense."
"So can I," he reminds me with a smile that's all predator. "Besides, how bad can it be?"
I think about Harlan and Cole, about their overprotectiveness.
"Famous last words," I mutter, but I let him help me onto the bike anyway.