Page 75 of First Chance

I met Natalie and her little brother last year when Dec hopped my fences to get away from some bad men. I knew the Sheriff was involved with them, but the way he was towards Jo made me think twice about his relationship status.

He has a woman at home, so why the special attention on mine?

Notmine.

“Natalie is big on family. She wants to get to know her more, but I think it will take time.”

I know I haven’t slept, but I also haven’t even finished this drink, and this conversation should not be as confusing as it is.

“I’m not following.”

“Did Jo not tell you?”

“Tell me what?”

I see the moment he takes pity on my confusion and chuckles. “Sorry, I assumed you knew. She’s my long-lost sister. Half sister,” he corrects.

The glass in my hand pauses midway to my mouth.

Fucking hell.

The Sheriff is her brother…

All the secret conversations. The concern. He wasn’t interested in her because she’s a beautiful woman. He was watching out for her because she’s his sister.

I let my jealousy lash out unjustly, no matter all the other reasons she should stay the hell away from me, how I’ve treated her is even more despicable now.

“Your father is…”

“Old Governor Montgomery. I know,” he confirms the ridiculousness. “No one knows, but I assumed she would have mentioned it since I’ve been out here so many times. And, tried to get her to leave multiple times.” He meets my eyes. “Sorry, no offense.”

“None taken,” I answer honestly. From an outside perspective, I wouldn’t want my sister living here either.

“We haven’t been able to spend much time getting to know each other yet, but she swore up and down it was safe here. But more so, that she was safe with you. I’ll take her word forit, but I wouldn’t mind hearing it from you, too.” He states seriously, waiting for me to confirm.

There aren’t enough words to express how safe that woman is with me. Not words that I’m legally allowed to say in front of a member of law enforcement.

“This is no place for someone as good as Jo, but while she’s here, she’s safe. That’s a fuckin’ promise.”

I’m not letting her out of my sight.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Jo

I’m staring directly at myself in the mirror, but my eyes won’t focus on anything but my mother’s face over my shoulder. The permanently curled upper lip is hardly noticeable after all of the Botox, but I see it every time she looks at me.

She refuses to age, and I can’t wait to get older. I want the freedom that comes with maturity. The independence.

I don’t want anyone to control me.

“Your breasts are too heavy; they sag.” She pinches the under cup of my bra and pushes up. “I think we should call a surgeon.”

“Yes, mother.”

“If you would stop eating breakfast and lunch, you’d lose a few inches off your waist by summer,” she remarks disgustedly.

“But, I would starve.”

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