Chapter 10
“Are you going to dance with the lady, or are you going to be a dick and leave her hanging?”
Waylen lowered his chin and glared at Blake. He blinked. “Fine,” he muttered, pushing to his feet and ignoring his buddies” hoots and hollers. He took Presley’s hand. “I’m going to get you back for this one.” He turned and kept his focus on her, and not his idiot friends.
He waited for the right moment, before stepping into the line dance.
If this made her happy, made her forget all her problems for two and a half minutes, then it was well worth the razzing he’d get from his teammates.
Anything for Presley.
He’d given her his heart a long time ago and when he left Big Island, he left a large part of himself with Presley. He’d tried to deny it for years, but standing on this dance floor like he had so many years ago, all the love he had for her came crashing down.
The dance wasn’t anything special. Or difficult. It was one of those things that everyone did on social media and it had been around for decades. Some did it better than others and oddly, he knew he fell into the better category, but because it was one more thing that the cool kids picked on him about, he kept his dancing feet to himself.
Lane whistled.
Raider and Kian clapped. Loudly.
And Harlan, well, he was on his feet, stomping and yelling, which was entirely out of character for that man, but Waylen appreciated the support.
Most importantly, Presley smiled and laughed. She looked light, and that made his heart sing. He wanted to give her the world. He needed to protect her from anything and anyone who might cause her harm.
His cell vibrated in his back pocket. He ignored it until the song was over, except everyone on his team paused to glance at theirs. It was Kian who waved his in the air with a cocked brow, a tilted head, and a frown.
Waylen yanked his phone out and tapped the screen, pulling up the group text from Mano. “Fuck,” he mumbled.
“What is it?” Presley gripped his forearm, peering over his shoulder.
“It’s Vernon. He’s headed in this direction. Not sure if he’s actually got the balls to show his face here, but?—”
“Trust me, he’s got the kahunas.” Presley stormed off toward the table. She waved her hand in the air. “Hey, Lisa, I need a couple of shots of tequila.”
“Bad day, huh?” Lisa waved from across the bar.
“Anytime Vernon’s involved, it’s the fucking worst.” Presley yanked her chair back and plopped herself into it, leaning back. “I warned you that I shouldn’t be ignoring his texts.”
“There’s no reason for you to speak to him.” Waylen stood behind her, massaging her shoulder with one hand, his cell in the other. “If Vernon decides to come inside, I want to disperse some.”
“What do you mean?” Raider asked as Lisa set a round of shots and fresh drinks on the table.
“Vernon doesn’t know any of us except Presley and Blake,” Waylen said.
Presley shook her head. “He’s seen pictures of you.” She glanced over her shoulder and winced. “Between that thing hanging over the bar and pictures my parents kept, he knows exactly what you look like and who you were to me and my parents.”
“That’s fine. I want that fucker to know me,” Waylen said. “Harlan and Raider, I want you two sitting at the bar. One at each end. Lane, I want you near the exit in the back. Me, Presley, Kian, and Blake will sit right here, and if Vernon wants to chat, he can do it with us. Mano’s going to stay in the parking lot.” His phone vibrated. He glanced at the screen. “Vernon just pulled in.”
“It’s possible he’s already got eyes here,” Harlan said. “Moving around might not do what you want it to.”
“Maybe not, but let’s do it anyway. At least we’ll have the exits covered, and we’ll be prepared for anything.” Waylen reached over Presley, setting his phone on the table. “Keep an eye out for any odd movement.”
Lane, Raider, and Harlan quickly shuffled to their new spots in the restaurant.
Waylen eased into the chair, draping his arm around Presley. His cell lit up with another text from Mano.
Waylen quickly checked it. “Vernon’s banging on your door.”
“He knows I come here sometimes after I close up shop,” Presley said. “My parents did it when I was a kid and I kept up the tradition. Sadly, Vernon and I did it when we were married, and I wasn’t about to stop. This place has been a constant in my life.”
“I know, babe,” Waylen whispered. It would only be a few minutes before Vernon showed his face. Waylen held her gaze for a long moment, contemplating how to address what he wanted to express. He let out a quick breath.
“Whatever’s on your mind, just spit it out.” Presley folded her arms.
He craned his neck. “Whatever you do, don’t shoot your mouth off. Don’t antagonize him.” He winced. The Presley he knew back in the day didn’t like to be told what to do by her peers, or by anyone for that matter. He imagined she wouldn’t take too kindly to him managing her behavior when it came to her ex-husband.
“You might have to hog-tie me and duct-tape my mouth.” Presley lifted one of the shots and dropped it back like it was nothing. She picked up a second one, but he grabbed her hand before she could toss it back.
“Go easy on those,” Waylen said. “I’m not trying to control you. It’s just that you can be?—”
She leaned in and kissed his cheek. “I appreciate you looking out for me. And you’re right. That’s only going to bring out the worst side of me. I’ll save the second one for when the jerk leaves.”
“That’s my girl.” He kissed her tenderly.
The door swung open.
She gripped his hand.
Waylen turned, sucking in a deep breath. He’d seen pictures of Vernon, but seeing him in person brought a visceral response that Waylen wasn’t prepared for. Every nerve ending in his body exploded. It wasn’t a little prickle. An annoyance that needed to be dealt with. It was more like a fucking disaster had waltzed into his life.
Vernon represented destruction.
Waylen felt that deep in his bones.
On the outside Vernon was a striking man. Devilishly handsome. He stood approximately six foot, give or take an inch. He had dark hair, brown eyes, and he carried himself with confidence.
The hair on the back of Waylen’s neck stood at attention.
Vernon paused at the entrance and scanned the room. When he did that, there was a lull in the action. It was as if he sucked up the energy in the room so everyone would take notice.
And they did.
He was the kind of man who commanded a room without trying. Based on the way he smiled and waved to Lisa, women would most certainly find him attractive and inevitably charming.
She wasn’t impressed, but it would be easy to fall for his twinkling eyes and dazzling smile to those who didn”t know his history.
He homed in on Presley and sauntered in their direction. His strides were long. He glanced side to side with each step as if to take in the ambiance.
But Waylen knew that’s not what Vernon was doing. No. This was the walk of an arrogant man who was making sure his presence was being noted.
Dick.
It would take a miracle for Waylen not to beat the shit out of this asshole.
“Relax, babe.” He took her hand and lifted it to his lips.
“You’re one to talk.” She arched a brow. “I can feel the tension flowing through your veins. It’s like I’m sitting right next to Kilauea seconds before her most violent eruption.”
He swallowed. Hard.
“Presley,” Vernon said. “I stopped by the office and your place. When you weren’t there, I figured you might be here.”
“What do you want?” Presley asked, folding her arms.
Waylen wasn’t sure if the way she closed herself off was a good sign or not, but he knew Presley well enough to know she was one hot button from telling Vernon to fuck off.
“I’ve been worried about you. But you haven’t responded to my messages or answered my calls.” Vernon shifted his gaze around the table before landing back on Presley. “I’d like to speak to you, in private.”
“Not going to happen.” Waylen willed his pulse to settle, if that was possible. “She has nothing to say to you.”
Vernon looked Waylen up and down. “Never in a million years did I think I’d meet the man my wife named a boat and a cat after, but here we are.”
“She’s your ex-wife, and we’re in the middle of a nice evening. Now, if you don’t mind?—”
“I do mind,” Vernon interrupted Waylen. “I’m shocked that she’s letting you speak for her. She hates that, don’t you, sweetie.”
“I’m not your sweetie, so don’t call me that,” Presley said, clenching her fists. “After everything that has happened, I can’t believe you’d come here and believe we have anything to say to one another or that I’d even want to hear you out. Unless you’re ready to make good on selling me my family business, leave me the fuck alone.”
“For the record, I heard about the break-in and just wanted to ensure you were okay. I’ve been concerned for your safety. I’ve never liked you living out here alone.”
Presley jumped to her feet. “You’ve got some fucking nerve to say that to me after the hell you put me through.” She waggled her finger in Vernon’s face.
Shit. The last thing Waylen needed was Presley to get all riled up and for Vernon to react.
Swiftly, he rose, looping his arm around her waist, hoisting her close. He pressed his lips against her temple. “Shhhh, let’s not go there,” he whispered.
She tilted her head and glared.
He wasn’t about to back down and let her go head-to-head with Vernon. It served no purpose.
“Well, aren’t you two just adorable.” Vernon planted his hands on his hips. “Come on, Presley. We have some things to discuss.”
“Whatever you want to say to Presley, you can do it with me present.” Waylen puffed out his chest.
“This is between me and my wife,” Vernon said.
“Ex-wife,” Waylen corrected for the second time. “And my presence is nonnegotiable.”
Vernon planted his hands on his hips. “Fine. You want to pound your chest and play bodyguard for no reason, I’ll go along.” He shifted his gaze back to Presley. “I get you’re mad at me, but I don’t understand why you’re lying to the police. It will only hurt you and our business in the long run. Is that what you want, Presley? Because I doubt that’s what your parents would want.”
“You are a fucking asshole.” Presley lunged forward. “Don’t you dare bring my parents into this.”
Waylen grabbed her by the waist and lifted her off the ground, stopping her from taking a swing at her ex.
“You’re the liar.” She waved her finger. “It’s all you’ve ever done since the day I met you.”
“Presley, he’s not worth it,” Waylen whispered in her ear, setting her feet back on the floor. He gripped her by the shoulders and locked gazes. “Don’t give him any ammunition, okay? He wants to get you all riled up and come out swinging in a room full of witnesses.”
Presley stared at Waylen with wide eyes. She blinked a few times, but what he said hadn’t registered yet.
Blake came up behind Presley and placed a hand on her back. “He’s right, you know.”
Presley let out a long breath and nodded.
Waylen turned. “You got what you came for; now leave us alone.”
“Actually, I haven’t.” Vernon folded his arms. “I’m part owner in Driftwood Tours. There’s a lot of damage control that needs to be done because of what happened. I’ve recently learned that there have been cancellations, and we need to come up with a?—”
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” Presley mumbled. “I’ve always run the day-to-day. You sit back and take my money. That’s about it and it’s not going to change now. There’s nothing for you to do.”
“That’s not true and you know it,” Vernon said. “And thanks to your lies about me, I’m dealing with other issues. We need to figure this out so our business can survive. I’m not leaving until we have a conversation about how to do that and I’m not having it with this asshole.” He pointed to Waylen. “He’s not family and he has no skin in this game.”
Kian was on his feet in a flash.
Waylen raised his hand, indicating Kian needed to stand down.
“I’m not fucking going anywhere. I’m more like family than you have ever been and you don’t ever want to find out what me and my buddy over there do when we have even a tiny bit of skin in the game.” Waylen widened his stance. “If you don’t like where the investigation is heading, take it up with the cops. Not us. Until then, she still owns more of that business than you do, and according to your divorce settlement, which I’ve seen, it’s her call. We’re going to sit back down and enjoy our night. I can’t tell you to leave this establishment, but if you keep bothering us, or her, I will remove you.”
“Are you threatening me?” Vernon dared to smile. “Because that sounded like a threat and I would advise against doing that.”
Waylen matched it with a grin. “I’m simply stating facts.”
“You think because you’re some hotshot SEAL or some such shit that you can push me around? Well, I’m not afraid of you,” Vernon said. “Or your pansy-ass friend over there.”
Waylen leaned closer, his blood boiling in his veins. He wanted to punch this fucker right between the eyes. But that would make him no better than Vernon and Waylen wasn’t going to stoop to his level. “I’m not asking you to be afraid, although we’re not the kind of men you want to fuck with. However, I’m asking you nicely to leave us alone. I’m not going to ask twice. If you choose to keep pushing our buttons, I’ll call the cops. I don’t think you want us to go that route. Not while all this is under investigation.” He arched a brow. “Presley doesn’t want you around, right, babe?”
“Damn fucking straight I don’t,” she said.
“There you go.” Waylen pointed to the door. “If something comes up about the business that she needs to notify you about or discuss with you, she’ll call you. But outside of that, stay away from my girlfriend. Have I made myself clear?”
“Your threat is crystal clear.” Vernon smiled. “Presley, I’ll send you an email about everything that needs to be taken care of if we’re going to weather this storm.”
“You mean the insane problems you created for us,” Presley said under her breath. “Don’t fucking bother.”
“Have a nice night.” Hoping that would be the end of it, Waylen planted his ass in a chair with his hand resting on Presley’s thigh. He squeezed. Tightly.
Vernon didn’t budge. “Call off your watchdog, Mano. I know he’s been following me. I don’t like it and it’s harassment. If it continues, I’ll have him arrested. And don’t think for one second I won’t. If he follows me out of this parking lot, the first thing I will do is call our good buddy Hale.” Vernon spun on his heel and sauntered toward the door.
“I’m sorry. I can’t control my tongue around that douchebag.” Presley reached for the second shot and downed it.
“I don’t blame you for that. He’s a prick.” Waylen curled his fingers around her wrist. He blinked. “Please make that your last shot.”
“You’re probably right, but my nerves are completely unsettled. I don’t understand what point he was trying to get across or what he wanted. It served nothing,” Presley said. “And can he do that to Mano?”
“It’s borderline stalking,” Kian said. “But he’d have to prove all sorts of malice and intent. It’s a whole gray area.”
“He said that to scare us, but I’m not afraid. Vernon had an agenda, and it all started with who you were hanging around with.” Waylen picked up his cell and quickly read the text from Mano. “This was all about checking me and my men out. Getting a read on us. A facial recognition. And perhaps to see if Mano or anyone else was actually following him.” Waylen craned his neck.
“What do you want to do?” Kian asked.
“Outsmart the asshole.” Waylen waved to Raider. “I’m going to step outside as if to check to make sure Vernon left.”
“You mean he hasn’t?” Presley stared at him with daggers shooting from her beautiful blue eyes.
“He’s leaning against the hood of his vehicle, tapping away on his cell,” Waylen said. “I’m guessing he wants me to come outside. Either he wants to get his ass kicked or this is a power play.”
“I’ve seen his kind before,” Kian said. “My money’s on the latter.”
“Mine too,” Waylen nodded. “Based on that assumption, he could be hoping I’ll call off Mano in front of him or see if I’m willing to flex my muscles. But all he’ll get to do is watch Mano drive off.”
“So, you’re going to let Vernon go without anyone watching him?” Presley stared at him like a doe in headlights.
“No fucking way.” He dug into his pocket and handed Raider his keys. “You know what to do.”
“On it.”
“Harlan, you take backup.” Waylen made the whirlybird motion.
“Going out the back door.” Harlan nodded.
He leaned over and brushed his lips over Presley’s mouth. “Mano’s going to take overwatch of your place tonight. My friends are going to tail Vernon. Don’t you worry. That dickface comes anywhere near this marina, he’s in for a world of hurt.”
She grabbed his shirt. “Thank you.”
“I got your back.” Twenty-three years ago, he boarded a plane for Maryland with his mom. He’d been heartbroken over his father’s death and the girl he’d left behind. He’d been seventeen and he hadn’t a choice.
He loved her back then and he loved her even more today.
This time he wasn’t leaving.
Presley leaned over the railing and stared out at the star-filled sky. A breeze rolled in off the ocean. When Waylen had left Big Island twenty-three years ago, her dreams of being with him had still been alive in her soul, but her heart and mind were conflicted.
Encouraging him to stay on his path to the Naval Academy and becoming a SEAL was the right thing to do.
For him.
When she heard he had graduated, part of her waited for the letter or call stating he wanted her to come join him wherever he was in the world.
But it never came.
“You shouldn’t be out here alone,” Blake’s voice bellowed in the night air.
“Waylen knows where I am.” She jerked her thumb over her shoulder. “He hasn’t let me out of his sight since Vernon left.”
“He’s full of surprises, that one.” Blake rested her hip against the rail. “He and everyone on his team are good men.”
“I won’t argue with that statement.” A gust of wind came in off the water, rattling the sheets against the masts of the sailboats in the marina. It was sweet music to her ears. As a little girl, she loved to come down to the docks and sit and listen to it for hours. “You and Kian seem chummy.”
“I wouldn’t go that far, but he was incredibly helpful during the rescue.”
Presley hadn’t known Blake for very long, but in their time together, Blake had become one of Presley’s closest friends. It wasn’t a typical girl friendship. Then again, Presley didn’t have many of those throughout her life. Most of her friends growing up had been men. She struggled to relate to women. Her father used to tell her it was because she threatened most of the other girls her age and when she got older, it would change.
Sadly, it never did.
“Kian and Waylen seem tight,” Blake said. “Like they have a bromance going on. But then I saw Waylen with Lane and thought the same thing.”
Presley laughed. “Waylen’s like that with all the guys on the team. I just met them, but the way he talks about them, they’re his family. He doesn’t do anything without them. They retired together, and whatever is next for them in civilian life, they will do it as a team.”
“How do you feel about that?” Blake asked.
Presley shrugged. “Same way as I did when Waylen had to leave Big Island. It’s not about me.”
“That’s different. You were kids. Are you really going to let him walk out of your life this time without telling him what you want?” Blake asked. “Because it’s obvious how much you care about him and want him to stay.”
“I can’t ask him to stay. That’s ridiculous. We’re completely different people. Just because we’ve had a little fun reconnecting and reminiscing about how things used to be, doesn’t mean there’s anything substantial there. He and his friends have a plan, and I won’t be the person who blows it up.”
“And who are you trying to sell that line of bullshit to? Me or yourself?” Blake poked her arm. “Besides, I see how he looks at you. The man has it bad.”
“All you see is history.”
“No. I see two people who have feelings for each other that never died. At the very least, it warrants a few conversations.” Blake cocked her head. “Unless there’s something else you’re not telling me.”
There were a few details she’d left out and she wasn’t about to share them with anyone. “Until this shit with Vernon is wrapped up, I’m not about to put pressure on Waylen about anything. Between dealing with all this and an IT job he’s working on for the Brotherhood Protectors, he’s got enough on his plate without me adding to it.”
“Why do you always do that?”
Presley stood tall and stared at her friend. “Do what?”
“Put everyone else before yourself,” Blake said. “I’ve watched you do it with Remi and his wife. All your employees. With Lisa and Al. Even with Mano, who doesn’t need shit. You take care of everyone, making sure their needs are met. When are you going to take care of yourself?”
“You don’t think divorcing Vernon was putting myself first?” Presley asked with a raised voice. She hadn’t meant to sound angry, but leaving that asshole had been one of the hardest things she’d ever done.
“I didn’t say that.” Blake raised her hands. “I wasn’t around when that happened. I only know what you told me, and don’t get pissed. But you didn’t do it until you were left with no choice. And I’m not judging. You were busy taking care of your parents. I get it. I really do. You have the biggest heart of anyone I know. You’re the one person most people can say that if they were to call at three in the morning, you’d pick up the damn phone. Hell, a stranger could call you, and you’d be out the door in a flash. But who are you calling?”
Presley opened her mouth but shut it right quick. Blake was right. She could name a few people that would.
Mano.
Remi.
Blake.
Even Waylen.
It wasn’t as if she didn’t have friends. She had damn fucking good ones. But they were few and far between.
The reality was that she never called anyone until it was too late. Mano had already given her that lecture.
She’d like to blame her father, who raised her to be independent and self-reliant. He wanted his little girl to be able to fend for herself. He taught her all about cars. She knew how to change her own oil and deal with a flat tire. By the time she was twelve, she could man a vessel by herself.
It had been both a blessing and a curse.
Like Waylen being teased for being smart, she had been picked on relentlessly for being a tomboy.
Blake placed her hand on Presley’s shoulder. “I know it’s hard for you to rely on the help of others.”
“I’m taking the help,” Presley said. “I never thought I’d say this, but I’m actually fucking terrified of Vernon and what he might be capable of. He put my damn cat in a dumpster. Who does that but a person who doesn’t care about a living, breathing creature.”
“Little Waylen is in good hands at Mano’s place.”
“We’re calling him Way-Way now.” Presley chuckled. “Every time I call the cat, Waylen thinks I’m calling him to bed, and it gets weird.”
“I imagine it would.” Blake nodded. “I’m sorry all this is happening, but I’m glad you’re not resisting Waylen and his friends.”
“Even if I was, Waylen is more stubborn than I am. However, I know his controlling and commanding ways come from a good place. He’s not trying to keep me down.”
“He cares about you, and you’d have to be blind not to see it.” Blake squeezed her shoulder. “I told the guys I’m available if they need anything from me.”
“I appreciate that.”
“I’m a text or phone call away. Remember that.”
Presley wasn’t the kind of person who hugged her friends, but she found herself in a warm embrace with Blake. “Thank you for being there for me and rescuing my sorry ass.”
“Here comes Waylen,” Blake whispered. “I’ll talk with you tomorrow.” She strolled off the dock and headed toward Kian, passing Waylen on the way, pausing for a moment.
Presley couldn’t hear their brief conversation. She trusted Blake to keep her confidence. Not that they had discussed anything earth-shattering, but still, Presley wasn’t ready to pour her heart and soul into Waylen.
Loving him had always been easy, and that hadn’t changed.
Telling him she wanted him to stay on Big Island and give them a second chance was something entirely different.