Garrett took Benji’s shoulder, not meeting Caroline’s astonished gaze. “Come on, Benji. Lay off. You made your point.”

“She’s a no-good whore who screwed her way into your little group for protection. You lie with dogs you’re going to get fleas, Royal.”

Time slowed down as Caroline gasped at the whore comment. She noted the bunching of muscles on Royal’s neck and the flex of his biceps. She scrambled as all around them, others moved to get out of the way, or to stop it, or to grab their beer before it went flying or whatever.

“What did you just call Caroline?” Royal’s voice had gone very cold and sharp.

Oh boy. She’d been a defense attorney a long time. Enough that she recognized this fact pattern. Despite the wall of dudeflesh that sprang up at Royal’s side and was apparently set on keeping her back, being short had its benefits.

Squeezing through, Caroline managed to get free of the booth but stayed behind Royal. He was worked up and really angry so if she stayed out of reach of Benji and let Royal protect her, things would be fine and no one would get punched.

She hoped it for no other reason than Benji would love the attention. And Royal could go to jail or something equally stupid. He’d be in there all weekend because there were no bail hearings on the weekends in Petal.

Lily got away from their booth, Beth helping. Which was good because Nathan shot Benji a look that threatened lots of pain. Elliot stood tall and very authoritarian next to Royal, also in-between Benji and Caroline.

At this point pretty much the entire restaurant was looking, and Caroline wanted to crawl under their booth. Well, metaphorically because she was sure it was really gross down there.

Elliot spoke calmly, but with that cop voice. “All right, gentlemen. Let’s break this up before something bad happens that no one intended.”

Benji turned a little with a smile. As if he were leaving and everyone relaxed until he reversed course and threw his entire body behind the fist heading in Royal’s direction.

Royal caught Benji’s arm, sliding a grip to his wrist before wrenching the arm down and out of the way.

Then. Well then he punched Benji right square in the nose with his free hand like it was his job.

The crowd surged but Nathan reached out to grab her around the waist and keep her standing.

Benji’s blood was everywhere as he held his nose in both hands.

Elliot waded in. “Break it up. I mean it.” He wasn’t in uniform and he worked several towns over, but he carried the authority easily and people obeyed, moving.

“I want to press charges,” Benji wailed.

Royal actually growled. “Oh yes, please. And I’ll press them against him, and then he and I can be in the same holding cell all weekend long.”

Someone handed a bunch of napkins to Benji.

“Fine. He’s not that important to me anyway. You better watch yourself.” Benji pointed a bloody finger at Caroline, and Royal nearly got loose from the people who’d been holding him back.

Caroline had never seen Royal this angry before. “I told you to leave her alone. You’re f**king threatening her now? I’ll beat your ass for this.”

“That’s enough!” Elliot physically pushed them apart, and the three guys restraining Royal got better hold of him.

“This piece of shit just threatened my girlfriend. What the hell, dude?” He strained to get loose, and Benji seemed to finally have figured out how sweet, laid-back, easy, good-natured Royal went f**king nuclear.

“You’re his friends, what do we do?” she whispered to Nathan and Trey.

Trey whispered back, “I’ve only seen Royal this mad twice during the decades I’ve known him.”

Nathan crossed his arms over his chest, standing shoulder to shoulder with Trey to keep her out of the fray.

“That motherfucker tried to hit his woman and then called her a whore. And then he threatened her. Benji is lucky he’s got all his teeth left.” Trey raised the volume so everyone around them could hear.

“Royal.” Caroline pushed her way around Trey and Nathan and approached Royal, reaching out to touch his arm. “Royal,” she repeated his name. “Don’t let this garbage rob you of what is sure to be a pretty awesome weekend.” She reached up, guiding his chin so she could look at him better. “You already punched him once. There’s a cop right there. Let it go.”

“He tried to hit you.”

She nodded. “And you stopped him and defended me. Thank you.”

“He called you names and threatened you. I really don’t think I can let that go.”

“Baby, he’s covered in blood. Your hand is all messed up and it’s starting to swell. We need to get it on ice. He got the message.”

“You need someone to stand up for you. To protect you. Oh I know you can handle yourself. But you need someone who always gets between you and trouble. That’s me.”

Oh. Everything inside her got sort of gooey for a moment as she smiled, blushing. “I did, yes. And now that’s you. Thank you. But now we need to back off because if not you’ll go down to the police station and maybe jail.”

“I know a great defense attorney.”

She laughed. “I’m kind of expensive, so save it up for something really good.”

“I could punch him a few more times and that would be really good.”

As she spoke with Royal, one of Shane’s officers came in and took over from Elliot after hearing what happened. They were smart enough to get Benji out of there.