Page 68 of Unexpected Love

I’m stunned for only a moment. I know we talked about giving this a real shot this morning, but I also thought she didn’t want to label it. Of course, that was before her parents showed up with the man now climbing out of the front passenger seat with a look of pure disgust on his face.

“Excuse me?” the man asks. I have no doubt this is Brian, and I feel the rage coursing through me. The need I feel to drive my fist into his smug face is something else I’ve never felt before.

He’s tall, maybe six feet, and well-built—he clearly works out—but I have no doubt I could take him. He’s too refined to know how to throw a punch—or take one, for that matter.

I squeeze Ava’s hand once before stepping forward, putting my hand out toward the man I assume is her father. “Gage Flynn.” I know the appropriate thing to say is that it’s nice to meet them, but I’ve never been a liar, and I won’t start now.

I don’t know anything about these people personally, but after everything Ava’s told me, I think it’s safe to say I don’t like them. Anyone who treats this woman the way they have doesn’t deserve pleasantries from me.

“Gregory Day, Ava’s father.” He doesn’t shake my hand. Instead, he places his hand on his wife’s back. “Eleanor, Ava’s mother, and Brian Wellsley…” He pauses. “Her fiancé.”

I hear a choked sound behind me and know it came from Declan. When I turn, fury crosses Ava’s face as she steps forward.

“That’s not true! I am not engaged to that man, nor have I ever been engaged to him.” She stops in front of me, her eyes imploring. “I swear that’s not true.”

I reach to her, cupping her cheek in the palm of my hand, and lean forward to press a kiss to her forehead. “I know.” As I pull back from her, I see her eyes slowly open, a sheen of tears in them.

“You need to leave.” Ava turns back to her parents. “I don’t want you here—and as we’ve already established—there’s no engagement. I’m with Gage.”

“You didn’t tell us about him at Christmas, so it must be new and therefore can’t be serious. Come. Let’s go back to your brother’s and get your things. The plane is waiting for us at the airport.” Her mother reaches for her, but Declan steps in before anyone can do or say anything.

“I don’t know what’s going on here.” Declan’s voice is stern, firmer than I’ve ever heard him. “But I don’t care. I know what you tried to do to my life, and I can only imagine what you’re trying to do to Ava's. She’s not going with you. So you need to leave.”

“Declan—”

“No. Ava, do you want them here?” He looks over his shoulder at his sister.

“No.” There’s so much conviction in her voice I can’t help but feel pride in my chest. I lean forward and place a quick kiss to the back of her head, my hands coming to rest on her shoulders.

“You heard her. You need to leave.”

Brian steps forward, and in that moment I’m so glad I have my badge and gun hooked to my hip. I step in front of Ava, hand resting on my badge, drawing everyone’s attention there.

“You’ve been asked to leave. If you don’t, I’m more than happy to arrest you for harassment.”

“You can’t do that. That would be a lie.” Her mother glares at me.

My eyes move to Brian and slowly back to Ava’s mother. I see the moment she registers I know exactly what Brian has done. And I see she knows Ava hasn’t been lying about any of it. It seems her parents just don’t care how much of a monster Brian is. Whatever their reasons for wanting this marriage, it’s more important than their daughter’s safety and happiness.

“Are you sure about that?” I ask, my voice low and harsh.

“Eleanor. Let’s go. We’ll talk to Ava later.” Gregory grasps her arm and pulls her toward the car.

Brian stands there glaring at me, but I don’t back down. This man doesn’t scare me in the slightest. “This isn’t over,” he growls before following her parents.

I don’t move until their car has disappeared down the street. Once it has, I turn to Ava. There are tears in her eyes, and she fidgets with the cuffs of her sweater.

I step toward her, taking one of her hands in mine. “Boyfriend?” I ask, lifting a brow, trying to lighten the moment.

Ava shrugs. “I thought it would make them give up.”

“Give up on what exactly. What’s going on?” Declan asks.

“I’m not—I don’t—” She swallows, eyes bouncing between me and Declan.

“Ava.” Declan releases her name on a sigh, his eyes closing briefly. When he opens them, it’s clear he’s in pain. “Please.” It’s a desperate plea. One I know Ava can’t ignore.

“They’ve planned for me to marry Brian. Like an arranged marriage. Apparently, it’s been planned since I was a baby.” Her voice is so quiet that I almost miss it.

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