Page 81 of First Chance

I barely take a step forward when all hell breaks loose. Bodies start crashing and bumping into each other as they’re being pushed away from the commotion. The stem of it is the circle of people surrounding Jo by the terrace.

Party goers in their fancy suits and dresses are being directed hastily to another area, but my eyes are on her. The moment she flattens herself against the wall and squeezes her eyes shut in fear, I’m plowing against the flow of people to get to her.

Men wearing suits, who typically stay within her family’s radius, are the first to challenge me. They raise their hands, attempting to push me back as if they’ll keep me from her.

It doesn’t stop me but it slows me down enough to see thatthe epicenter of all this bullshit is Jo’s father. He’s screaming at everyone, including Jo.

My hands find the bodyguards’ shoulders, and I shove, bulldozing them out of my way. They could be Secret Service for the President of the United States, and I wouldn’t stop.

They’d have to shoot me before I let whatever is happening continue happening to that woman.

I’m within arm’s reach of their group when Jo launches herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck. “I’m sorry, Lochlan, I’m so sorry,” she pleads before spinning around and flattening herself against my front.

“THIS! This lowlife is who you’re marrying,” her father yells, shoving her brother’s campaign manager for simply being in his path. A large vase takes the secondary impact and topples, sending dirt and palm leaves scattering across the floor.

I can hardly process what I’m hearing.

“Lochlan is my fiancé, so you’ll speak to him with respect or you’ll never speak to me again.”

Fiancé. Fiancé?

“Oh my word,” her mother cries, fanning herself with a handkerchief dramatically.

Fiancé?

“This is going to look terrible for me, JoAnna, you selfish little bitch!” Her brother screams, and I’ve had enough despite my confusion.

“Don’t fucking speak to her that way,” I demand, pulling Jo back to stand beside me, away from her psychotic family.

Fiancé.

“No one asked you, neanderthal.” Her brother spits at my feet, and it flips a switch in my brain.A huff of laughter escapes me, and Conrad balks.

I’ll kill this fucker exactly like he killed Jo’s bunny.

I take one step before a delicate hand on my chest stops me. “Take me home, please,” she begs desperately. Her fingers grip the fabric of my shirt. “Please, Lochlan. Take me home.”

My attention locks onto her pleading eyes, and I can’t tear it away.

I can’t tell her no. I never could.

“Okay.” I grip her fingers in my hand, intending to tug her back into my side when my thumb brushes over my grandma’s ring. My grandmother’sengagement ring.

Jo didn’t know that when she picked it out, and I didn’t say anything.

She steps away from her family, keeping my hand in hers, and tugging me along. She’s a small thing compared to me, but it takes no strength at all to walk me on the leash she has me on.

The party crowd has dissipated, but Hayes and the other guys are standing as close as they can to the excitement, waiting in the wings as backup. Hayes talks to me without speaking, asking if there is trouble, and I shake my head.

“Not yet,” I mutter to him as Jo walks me past him. If he’s surprised that she’s pulling me like a dog, he doesn’t act it.

It isn’t until we’re outside and Jo’s safe that some of the noise returns and the blinders come off.

“What did I do? What did I do?” Jo cries, gripping the sides of her head in her hands, mussing her hair.

We’re standing in the parking lot between the trucks while the guys hover a few feet away, pretending to give us privacy.

“Jo, what the hell was that?”

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