Page 27 of My Fiancé's Brother 2

Now Jackson held the gun.

What?

Jackson now held the gun. We all watched as he grabbed the top of the gun, slid the chamber back with a deafening click. He lifted the gun and aimed it at the guy’s forehead.

The man looked down at his hand like he couldn’t believe he was no longer holding the gun. He looked back up at the barrel of the gun, his eyes wide. True terror radiated out of his eyes.

“Get out before you do something even more stupid and I end up killing you,” Jackson’s voice was clear.

The guy stood unmoving. Yup. I knew that feeling. Frozen in fear. Then Jackson’s words resonated with the man. He slowly backed up, and he spun around. The entire restaurant watched in mute silence as he barreled towards the door. A loud sound echoed as the door slammed and he disappeared into the night.

Jackson’s voice sounded casual. The kind of casual tone you would use when you asked someone if they wanted a second cup of coffee. “Emily, are you okay?”

I wanted to speak. I wanted to say something, but I was using all my energy to just stay on my feet.

Sobbing sounded from behind me. Distracted, I looked over my shoulder. Irene crouched on her knees behind someone’s chair. She sobbed like the gun had been in her face.

Matt appeared at my side, breathing hard. His eyes looked wild. He looked me up and down, checking to see if I had been shot. “Oh, my God, Emily. Are you okay?”

Said the guy who had jumped out of the way, so I was in the line of fire. Call it adrenaline, call it shock, call it whatever you want to call it, but suddenly words tumbled out of my mouth without any filter, without any forethought.

“Jackson, is your marriage proposal still on the table?” My voice echoed through the room. You could hear a pin drop. I glanced around, and dozens of shocked faces swam before my eyes.

It was safe to say I had the room’s attention.

At first, it seemed like he hadn’t heard me. We all watched as he pointed the weapon down and expertly dropped the magazine out of the gun.

“You want to get married?”

Green eyes glanced up at my face. One look and he took in my trembling lips. My wide eyes. The way my chest rose and fell with emotion.

“Yes,” I sounded mangled.

His eyes dropped back down to the gun. He slid the gun chamberback with a click that the entire restaurant heard. I watched as the remaining bullet flipped out of the gun.

His eyes came back to my face. Assessing. Weighing. “What changed your mind?”

I became aware that the entire restaurant leaned in to hear my response.

My whole body shook. My voice quivered. “Do you need a reason?”

His eyebrows moved up a small notch even though his tone was edged with disinterest. “Just curious.”

I felt lightheaded. I knew that if I weren’t truthful with him at this moment, he'd probably not agree to marry me.

“We need you.”

It was the truth. Even if he didn’t want us, this baby and I needed him desperately. We'd be nothing without him. Even if it was wrong to trap him like this, I was incapable of stopping myself.

Green eyes narrowed on my face. His jaw tightened. Then he nodded. “Okay.”

The entire restaurant exploded in applause. Chaos erupted around us. The maitre d’ approached Jackson from behind. He held out a tray for Jackson. I watched as Jackson set the gun and the magazine on a tray. The man said something to Jackson.

Matt spoke, but his words barely registered. “Emily. Don’t do this. Please don’t do this.”

The maitre d’ was looking up at Jackson with the same level of hero worship as he would a world-class sommelier. His expression one of complete reverence.

I ignored Matt. Had I proposed to Jackson in public? In front of an entire restaurant full of people? Had he said yes? Was this happening?

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