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“Why not?” Red asked, confused.
“Because you’re a misogynistic, cheating asshole, who was once engaged to my wife,” Val replied, his tone firm.
Vivian’s eyes widened at the revelation. She had no idea that Cameron had been engaged before. Then again, she didn’t know her sister-in-law well. But what were the chances that two ex-lovers would end up living in the small town of Aspen Cove?
Red looked taken aback by Val’s words, but then he seemed to gather himself. “Look, I know I messed up in the past, but I’m trying to make amends. I need protection and don’t know who else to turn to.”
“What’s going on?” Vivian stepped from the shadows into the room, interrupting their conversation.
“Nothing,” Val said. “Go back to bed. Red was just leaving.”
“Who are you?” Viv said. “My father?”
Red turned to face her. “This is who you’re visiting? Val is your brother?” He let out a growl and shook his head. “Just my luck.”
Val cocked his head to the side. “You two know each other?”
Viv shook her head while Red nodded.
“Is that a yes, or no?” Val demanded.
“We met at the bakery,” Red said.
“It was more like he accosted me at the bakery.”
Val grew with each step he took toward Red. “What did you do to my sister?”
Red stumbled backward. He held up his hands. “Nothing. I accidentally fell into her and knocked her down. No harm, no foul.” He pointed to her. “Look, she’s perfect.”
She felt anything but perfect as she stood there in her flannel pajamas and hair tied up in a messy bun. Why hadn’t she changed first? Oh, that’s right, it was that damn voice that drew her like a moth to a flame. She needed more self-control, or she was destined to get burned.
“No need to protect me, big brother. I can handle myself.” She turned to Red. “You were saying you need protection?”
“He was just leaving. We don’t have anything to offer him.” Val walked toward the door.
“You don’t because you’re no longer part of Vortex, but I might.”
Red’s brows lifted. “You work for Vortex?”
Viv smiled. “I’m in charge.” She was supposed to be in charge, but by Val’s behavior, it would seem like he thought he was still running things.
Val marched back into the room. “You’re not working with him.”
“As CEO, I choose our clients. You put me in charge for a reason.”
“I did, but—”
“But nothing.” She shooed him away with a wave, then turned back to face Red. “Now tell me about your problem.”
“Last night, one of my fans broke into my house. She crept into my bedroom in the middle of the night.”
“Fans? What am I missing here?”
Red smiled. “I’m a bass player for a band called Indigo.”
Viv crossed her arms. “So, you’re the reason I had to drive a Yukon.” Yep, the man was trouble, all right. While he wasn’t directly responsible for the rental car, he was indirectly involved, which made him an accomplice to her misery.
Red lifted his hands in the air. “I don’t even know what that means, but I bet that was an interesting ride. Can you even reach the pedals? It seems like giving you a Yukon is the equivalent of giving a kid a ten-speed when all they are ready for is a tricycle.”
