31. Walker
Chapter thirty-one
Walker
“I appreciate you going above and beyond for my sister, Agent Bennett.” Liam Callahan didn’t waste any time letting me know he is willing and able to do whatever is necessary to keep Vivian and Eloise safe, regardless of what I’m capable of approving in a professional capacity. I walk to the back patio, shutting the door behind me.
“I understand your concern for their safety, but we can ensure that without resorting to extremes or crossing ethical boundaries. We could expand the number of Forrest Falls residents that you introduced to Harlow to keep their eyes open, in addition to my team’s presence.”
“Maybe, but more people might ruin the original intention of stealth surveillance. I’m sending a tech guy I know to Savannah’s first thing tomorrow for an audit of her security system, and I’ll be handling any necessary upgrades. Shane said he was going to call my guy to make the updates I recommended six months ago, but I bet he never called him. This time I won’t be asking anyone to handle it. I’ll make sure it’s done. My sisters won’t be surprised; they know I would rather ask for forgiveness than ask for permission.” I like this guy’s energy. It’s clear Liam likes to get things done and is not afraid to get his own hands dirty. I can respect that, especially when it comes to taking care of his family, with one particular family member being someone I find myself caring for more and more with each passing day .
“I understand you are at an undisclosed location, but I would be happy to meet whenever you’re back in the area to explore any other security options.” I turn and glance through the patio doors as Savannah and Vivian walk back into the kitchen.
“Vivian will not be thrilled about this, but I’ve already called one of my brothers. With Jack’s work, he has contacts for private security firms that big name celebrities utilize in Nashville. The one his company uses only hires veterans with extensive training and starting tomorrow, they’ve got a new client based in Forrest Falls. I'll inform Vivian and take responsibility, but Jack and I won't give her a choice in this. This shit is escalating and I want whoever is behind it found yesterday. This is my family and I don’t fuck around with their safety, Agent Bennett.”
“I won’t mention the private security team, but a few members of my team and I will be in town more frequently. I still can’t shake this gut feeling this somehow will lead to the missing piece that my task force and I have been chasing for almost a year now.”
“And is that all this is? Savannah mentioned you drove out there tonight immediately after Vivian called you. You could’ve just talked to her on the phone, but instead you hightailed it in less than an hour to see her. I appreciate the dedication, but I have to ask if it’s purely professional at this point.” Liam shoots me straight, and I’d prefer if he didn’t actually shoot me.
“That’s a fair question. I understand where you’re coming from, but if I’m going to have a conversation about the nature of my relationship with your sister, with all due respect, that conversation is going to be between Vivian and I first before anyone else is included.”
“Relationship?” The line goes silent before he growls. “Did you just fucking mention a relationship with my sister?”
It’s likely not the effect he was going for, but his growling is amusing to me. “To be fair, any interaction between two people is considered a relationship. For now, I may have a personal vested interest in the case, but I have honor, Mr. Callahan. The status of that relationship may very well evolve once we solve this case. For now, the relationship between your sister and I have certain boundaries due to the nature of my job and this investigation.”
“And when you arrest the murderer?”
“Well, then those boundaries will no longer exist. I don’t know what it will look like then, but we can revisit this conversation at that point in time if it makes you happy.”
“Yeah, count on that fucking conversation happening, Agent Bennett. Harlow vouched for you and said you’re a good guy, but just so you know, I expect you to respect those professional boundaries of yours around my sister. I respect what you’re doing to solve these cases, but I am not your friend, and you really do not want to be on my bad side. Do we understand each other?”
I try to fight the grin; Liam sounds like he may like me less than he did at the beginning of this conversation. And did this guy just low key threaten me? I may have just found my new best friend. “Indeed, Mr. Callahan, we understand each other just fine. I'll be in touch if I need anything from you, and please let me know if I can return the favor.” I give up the fight and allow the smile to spread across my face.
“Good. I’m closely monitoring this situation and will be in touch, Agent Bennett. Just don’t fucking touch my sister, and wipe that damn grin off your face.” Liam disconnects the call. He didn't forget to say goodbye. He's just that type of guy, and I can respect it. It doesn’t mean I’m going to honor his request of not touching his sister. To be fair, he hung up before I could say anything in response to his demand. I lift a wave in goodbye, just in case he does have eyes on me somehow. I walk back into the house through the patio doors to find Vivian sitting at the kitchen island with her sister next to her .
“Liam is as up to speed as I could bring him and will be in touch about some additional security measures tomorrow, if not before then.” Vivian nods, understanding and not looking at all surprised by that news. “I should head back to Nashville, but can I do anything else before I go?”
“No, but thank you for coming out to check on our girl, Agent Bennett. It’s nice to know that she has so many people looking out for her,” Savannah says as she reaches out and squeezes her sister’s hand. When she looks back me, her eyes are quickly blinking back tears. “I really appreciate it, Agent Bennett.”
“Of course, ma’am, and you can just call me, Walker.”
Savannah looks from me to her sister and back before responding, “Okay then, thank you for coming out this evening, Walker. And thank you for looking out for our girl.” I nod in response as Vivian stands up from a kitchen barstool.
“I’ll walk you out,” Vivian says.
“No, you will not,” I interrupt her as her eyebrows shoot up. “But you can walk me to the front door. Then you can stay inside the house where you’re safe and lock the front door behind me.” Understanding spreads across her face and she nods in agreement. I follow her through the front living room to the entryway. “You should really try to get some sleep tonight but maybe stay in the main house if your sister has the room.” I phrase it as a suggestion but my tone sounds more like a command.
“That’s a good idea; she already told me I could have a guest room if I didn’t want to be in the guest house by myself. Thank you for coming all the way out here and for calming me down on the phone, Walker. I really appreciate it. I know I’m a lot right now, and I know things are … well, things are crazy, but you’re becoming a little sliver of peace amidst the storm.” Vivian’s vulnerable admission is quiet as she turns to face me by the front door. When she looks up at me, her eyes look almost nervous about that confession, an d I can’t have my girl thinking that. Without thinking, I pull her into my arms and give her a hug. She wraps her arms around my neck and leans back to look up at me. Before I realize what I’m doing, I slide one of my hands along her jaw to cup her cheek, and I lean toward her as she tilts her head and closes her eyes.
I may be crossing a line, but right now I don’t give an actual fuck about anything besides feeling Vivian’s soft lips against mine for the first time. One of her hands glides up my body until she runs her fingers through my hair, pulling herself closer to me. The moment our lips touch, that magic sensation, as she calls it, flows from my lips and reaches down into my chest. We’re both communicating unspoken emotions in this kiss. The exchange is but a prelude to so, so much more. For now, we keep it innocent and simple, and far too short, but I pull back and lean my forehead against hers. Vivian sighs with her eyes closed as she gently twirls her fingers through the hair at the nape of my neck. I take a deep breath, inhaling her delicate feminine scent, a mixture of pear, vanilla, rose, and cedarwood. I don’t know what perfume she wears, but it’s become my favorite scent in the world.
“I’m doing everything I can and will continue to do so. I am only a phone call or text away, alright? And I meant what I said, you better lock this door right behind me when I leave, Sugar,” I tell her as my arms drop when she takes a measured step back out of my embrace.
“I will. Would you mind sending me a text when you get home safe? I feel bad you’re driving all the way back again tonight, but I’m also really grateful that you came all the way out here for me.” Vivian tucks a piece of hair behind her ear and looks down at her feet, but I can still see that beautiful blush spreading from her cheeks and down her neck.
Placing two fingers under her chin, I gently lift her eyes back to me. “It’s an honor to be the person you called first, okay?” She nods and I may be blatantly ignoring those professional boundaries I just spoke to her brother about, but I can’t make myself give a damn right now. I step closer to her, pulling her in to wrap my arms around her for one more hug. Vivian’s arms slide around my waist as she lets out a large sigh against my chest. I give her forehead a soft kiss and in that moment, I realize two things—she fits perfectly in my arms, tucked just under my chin.
And I am so incredibly fucked.