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Chapter 4

Benjamin laid there all night holding Chloe in his arms. A knock at his door caused him to tense up. He had a bad feeling this had to do with his earlier events. He’d gone to give Colton a message to never raise his hand to another woman. Colton thought he was referring to the waitress at the diner, but he was talking about Chloe. Benjamin would never harm another woman again.

Benjamin slipped out of his bed without waking Chloe, and walked to his front door. He sighed in relief when he saw Jeff standing on the other side. Jeff looked up to his friend with a distressed expression.

“What’s wrong?” Benjamin asked as he let Jeff come inside.

Jeff ran his hand through his hair and sighed, “Do you have Chloe here?”

“Yes.” Benjamin replied without hesitation.

“Colton reported Chloe missing.”

“Fuck!” Benjamin growled, punching the wall.

“That’s not all, man.” Jeff paused, “Colton told the police you took her.”

“He did what?” Benjamin turned to Jeff with a murderous glare and sucked in a breath.

“The police came to the bar looking for you.”

Benjamin pinched the bridge of his nose and internally groaned. “How much time do I have until they come here looking for me?”

“I give it a good thirty minutes.” Jeff paused, “Amber is out in the truck. You want me to have her take Chloe to her house to cover for you?”

“You know, that sounds like a good idea. At least until I figure this shit out.”

Jeff turned to the door and opened it, signaling Amber to come inside. There was no doubt in Jeff’s mind that the police would come for him. He would be ready for them, too. He wouldn’t go down without a fight. No way was he going quietly.

“Sweetheart,” Benjamin nudged Chloe, “I need you to wake up.”

“Ben, what’s going on?” Chloe asked, rubbing her eyes.

“I need you to go with Amber and Jeff. I’ll explain everything later... I promise.” Benjamin helped Chloe sit up and cupped her face.

“Ben, please tell me.” Chloe whispered.

“Long story short, your brother reported you missing and that I’m the one who took you. Please, we don’t have much time. I need you to get up and go with Amber.”

“But, what about you?” Chloe asked, inching forward and kissed him.

“Don’t worry about me, sweetheart. I’ll be okay.” Benjamin promised her and kissed her back.

Chloe’s bottom lip quivered, “What if they hurt you?”

“Then, I’ll have you to nurse me back to health. Amber and Jeff are waiting. You have to go now.” Benjamin urged her, ushering her out of the bedroom. He spun her around and kissed her ravenously, before turning to Jeff and Amber. “Take care of her, I’ll call you when I’m released.”

Benjamin put the rest of his clothes on and his boots, too. He poured himself a whiskey, waiting for the cops to show up. Right on cue, he heard the sirens in the distance and smiled. At least Chloe was nowhere in sight, and he had his best friend to thank for that. That’s exactly why they were friends. Well, Benjamin and Jeff were more like brothers than friends.

Benjamin grinned to himself when he heard a knock at the door. He downed the rest of his drink and whispered to himself. “It’s showtime, Ben.”

The police kicked the door open, with guns pointed at him, “Benjamin Grayson, don’t fucking move!”

Benjamin’s lips curved, a smug grin plastered on his face and raised his hands in surrender. “What a surprise, officers. What seems to be the problem?”

One of the officers stepped forward, pulling out a pair of handcuffs and said. “Benjamin Grayson, put your hands behind your back.” The two other officers put their guns away and shoved Benjamin down to the ground, forcing his arms behind his back. “

Benjamin was escorted down to the police station and thrown inside an interrogation room. He leaned back in his chair and looked straight at the two-way window with a grin. He knew Colton was on the other side looking in on him. Benjamin stood up and walked towards the window, smiling wickedly. “I know you’re there, Colton. When I get cleared, you better watch your back. I’ll be coming for you.”

Benjamin calmly turned back around and resumed his seat at the table. He leaned his head forward and laid his head on the table, closing his eyes. He would much rather be in bed with his Chloe with her wrapped in his arms. But no, he had to deal with Colton’s bullshit.

“Benjamin Grayson, you going to tell us where you’ve taken Chloe Davenport?” An officer entered the room and sat down across from him.

“I haven’t done anything with her.” Benjamin growled.

“Then, explain this.” The officer slammed down a few pictures on the table and raised an eyebrow. Benjamin studied the pictures and cursed silently. Someone had been spying on them. It was photographs of Chloe in his arms. Completely naked. The officer spread the pictures out on the table. The second one was Benjamin with his face buried between her legs. The third, was him kissing Chloe on his bed. Chloe’s face wasn’t visible in the pictures, so that was a good sign. Maybe he would get out of this one.

“I’ll take my phone call now, officer.”

Benjamin ground his teeth as he dialed his lawyer. This was complete bullshit. He knew it. The entire police department knew it, but was just too chicken to admit it to the Chief. On the second ring, he heard a gravelly voice answer. Tilly Scott had been the family lawyer for years. She handled all the affairs after Benjamin’s parents tragically died in a car crash. He was only a teenager when his parents crashed into the tree, trying to avoid a cat crossing the road. However, the chief of police thought otherwise. He’s been bound and determined that Benjamin caused the accident. Hence, is why he is currently being held on kidnapping charges.

“Ben?” Tilly asked, confusion in her voice. “Do you know what time it is?”

Benjamin sighed, “I need you to come down to the police station.”

“Another fight? I thought you told me you was going to be on best behavior, son.” Tilly reprimanded him.

“This time it isn’t my fault.” Benjamin paused, chewing his bottom lip. “I’m being held on bogus charges. I swear... I’m innocent.”

“What are the charges?” She asked.

“I’m being accused of kidnapping Chloe Davenport. I swear I’m innocent, Tilly.”

“Christ, Ben! Let me get dressed and I’ll be there as soon as I can. In the meantime, keep your mouth shut. They have the Miranda rights for a reason. Can you do that for me?”

“Yes.” Benjamin sighed in relief and added. “Thank you, Tilly. What would I do without you?”

“Probably be rotting in prison by now. You’re the closest thing I have to family.”

Benjamin hung up the phone and grinned to the officer. “Tilly will be here soon.”

“Tilly? As in Tilly Scott?” The officer widened his eyes.

“Yes, and she is pissed. Good luck with that, man.”

The officer hauled him back to the interrogation room and locked him back inside. He purposely mentioned Tilly to the officer, because he’d been involved with her in the past. They had a history together...even, could’ve been married once upon a time. By the look on the poor boy’s face, he was scared shitless. And, he had right to. When Tilly is pissed, it isn’t good for anyone. The only exception was Benjamin, because she was the closest thing he had to a mother now.

Benjamin smirked when Tilly entered the room alone. She knew just how to handle these bastards when it came to me. She sat down and sighed as she slid me a coffee. I took the cup and took a sip, wincing from the heat.

“Shit, that’s hot!”

“Ben, can you explain these photos?” She slammed the photos down on the table.

“Obviously, that’s not Chloe. Do you think I’m that stupid?”

“Ben,” Tilly sighed, rubbing her temples. “I had Tommy disable the camera feed. We can speak freely here. I need you to be real with me. Did you kidnap the girl?”

“No, you know I would never do anything like that.”

“I know for a fact that is Chloe in the pictures, but I can convince the police it isn’t. I just need to know where she is.”

I narrowed my eyes and leaned forward. “You can’t let her go back to them.”

“Ben.” Tilly warned.

“Her brother… he’s hurting her. Earlier tonight I was down by the tracks and saw her. She came to me… willingly. I only want to help the girl. Isn’t there anything you can do about the brother?”

“I can’t do anything until she comes forward. You know where she is, don’t you?”

Benjamin shook his head, “You should tell them to check Amber Porter’s house. She’s her best friend.”

Tilly reached over and placed her hand over his, giving it a firm pat. “I’ll have you out of here within the hour. You and I are not done talking about this, yet. When I get you out, you’re staying the night at my house. See you soon, son.”

Just as promised, Benjamin strolled out of the station with Tilly within the hour. Tilly told them to check Chloe’s best friend and found that Chloe was staying the night with her. Benjamin worried that Colton might show up to take her, so he had Jeff staying with them. If Colton showed up, Jeff was to tell him to take a hike. If Colton refused, he would blackmail him with the waitress he put his hands on. The only thing in Benjamin’s mind was keeping his little Chloe safe. It was his duty as her dominant.

Tilly took Benjamin to her home and sat down with him. He started from the beginning, where Chloe approached him in class. Then, how he found her crying and comforted the sad girl… even told Tilly how he kissed her. By the time he was finished, Tilly had tears of joy that he found someone.

“Oh Ben, I can see it in your eyes. You care for her… want to protect her.”

“I… I care for her.”

“But do you love her?” Tilly asked.

“I don’t know, but I do know I can’t see her with anyone else. I am willing to find out, though.”

“Do you want to call her?”

He shook his head as he looked over at the clock on the wall. It was nearly three in the morning. “I do, but I’m sure she’s asleep by now. I’ll text Jeff to make sure she’s okay later.”

Benjamin hugged Tilly and whispered, “Thank you for always being there for me. I’m going to have to buy you a dress, or something nice for putting up with my bullshit.”

“Go on to bed, son. I’ll see you in the… in a few hours.” Tilly chuckled as Benjamin laid on the couch. “You know, you don’t have to sleep there. Your old bedroom is still as is.”

“I know.” Benjamin smiled, “I’ll be okay right here… just like old times when I used to come in drunk in the middle of the night. Good night, Til.”

“Good night, Ben.” Tilly said as she went into her bedroom.

Benjamin rolled on his side and texted Jeff that he was out of jail. Jeff answered good, that Chloe was sleeping peacefully in Amber's bedroom and that he would tell her the news when she woke up. Finally, after texting his best friend, he found himself closing his eyes and falling asleep. Dreaming of holding his Chloe in his arms.

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