Page 156 of First Chance

They all stop speaking to look at me, but I only see her. “Are you okay?”

She tips her head and smiles, looking at me in relief. “I’mfine.”

“What the hell are you doing in my house?” Her father grits through his teeth.

I ignore him, closing the distance to Jo, stroking her cheek with my thumb. “Ready to leave?”

“Yes.” She gives me her hand and I pull her to stand.

“We’re discussing this, NOW, JOANNA!” He booms, and I watch her flinch.

But, before I can give this fucker a piece of my mind, she steps in front of me. “I’m done talking. I’ve said my peace.”

“We’ll take your trust fund,” her mother rattles, through a handkerchief as if she’s been crying.

“If you try, I’ll have my lawyer obliterate you. I’ll take you all down, starting with Conrad,” she threatens calmly, nodding at me confidently as she struts out of the room like she owns it.

“WE’RE NOT FINISHED!” Her father yells.

“She’s done and she won’t be back.” I hold his gaze until he loses his nerve and blinks away. My murderous glare finds Conrad next. “If you utter her name or so much as breathe in her direction ever again, I’ll fucking kill you.”

“And, what gives you the fucking right?” Her father asks after I turn my back.

“She’ll bemy wife.My family,” I thunder, watching them blanch. “You don’t have the right to her anymore,” I finish calmly.

The yelling continues as I leave the room, but I let the doors slam behind me. All the noise drowns out once I set my eyes on her.

“I called for a rental car. You didn’t have to come rescue me.”

“I did. Even if you didn’t need saving, I’d still lurk behind you, making sure you’re alright.” I wrap my hands in her hair, holding her tenderly.

“It’s not really lurking when you storm the castle,” she whispers, smiling softly.

“Well, there’s a time and place for everything.”

“I guess this worked one last time, huh?” She puts her left hand on my chest, tapping her ring finger against my sternum.

I grab her hand in mine, rubbing my thumb against the gold band, and the pit in my stomach twists for entirely different reasons than it was an hour ago.

“I hope they didn’t ruin your birthday,” I say, instead of all the other things trying to claw their way out.

She shakes her head as I walk her to the truck. “They don’t get to ruin any more of my days.”

“Proud of you.”

“Thanks.” She smiles brightly, scooting over to snuggle into my side once we’re inside. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“I don’t think that’s true…”

“You believed in me enough to make me believe in myself. Because of you, I don’t look in the mirror and see all the things I hate. I see all the things you love about me. It might seem silly to you, but it’s changed my life.”

“You’ve changed my life, darlin’.” I kiss her temple, cherishing the way she relaxes further into my side, ignoring the twinge of pain it causes.

The pain in my heart far outweighs it.

“Take me home.”

“As you wish, my princess.” I nuzzle her cheek until hersmile turns to a full grin. She no longer belongs to the people of North Carolina… Only me.

---