Page 35 of Forbidden Ride
There’s a flicker of light in his eyes as the thought registers. “Interesting that Sheriff Gunner left that out of the equation. I appreciate him helping you, but what the hell are you still doing here with him, Jenny? After everything we’ve been through with the Johnsons?”
“I, ah... I like him, Chase.” I drop my head. “It’s more than like, to be honest.”
“Well, that is the biggest crock of shit I’ve ever heard. That fucker could’ve killed you, Jenny. You know all about the Johnsons. I don’t have to tell you they’re nothing but trouble. What the fuck? Do you have some kind of death wish?”
I’m about to crumble. I can’t bear to hear Chase talk this way about William. “William wouldn’t hurt me, Chase. He isn’t anything like his family.”
“You believe that line of bullshit old Billy is feeding you, huh?”
Tears sting my eyes, and I blink to hold them back. “It isn’t bullshit.” I straighten. I’m getting angry now. “You don’t even know him. How can you say that?”
“Great. You probably have a fucking brain injury. C’mon, Jenny, we’re leaving.” Chase clasps my elbow and tries to lead me to his truck. I squirm out of his hold.
“No. I’m not going anywhere. I’m a grown woman and I know what I want, and it’s him,” I shout, digging my feet into the snow as he tries to drag me.
“Get your hands off her!” The front door slams shut, and William bolts down from the porch looking like he’s about to jump Chase. “Let her go.”
Fuck.
Chase angles his head, staring at me with disbelief. Then he focuses on William. “Say that again?”
“Let. Her. Go.” William flanks my other side. I step closer to him, knowing I’ve just made a monumental decision, and I can see it’s left Chase stunned.
“I’m happy, Chase.” I grab William’s hand for strength. “The happiest I’ve ever been.”
“I think maybe you cracked your head, or maybe he’s given you crack. Probably gets a deal from his mother.” Chase’s head looks like it’s about to spin off his neck.
“Honestly,” I plead. “William is different.”
“You’re not thinking clearly, Jenny. Trust me on this. Now get in my truck.”
“What a fucking nerve you have.” William steps up. “If your sister wasn’t here, I’d wipe that smirk off your punk-ass face. You know nothing about me. I’ve been in love with your sister since the second I saw her.”
“You have?” I can’t help but smile.
“Jesus. H. Christ.” Chase rakes a hand through his hair. “This is a fucking nightmare. Come back with me now, Jenny. Don’t make a decision you’re going to regret for the rest of your life. You were raised better than that.”
“This is about me, and I’m not going anywhere.”
“Suit your goddamn self,” he practically spits, throwing his hands up in the air. “And good luck explaining this to Ryder and Shane. You’ve just destroyed our family.”
“That’s no way to talk to your sister,” William says.
“Who are you to say one fucking word about my sister?”
“I’m the man she’s going to marry.”
My head swings to William, and my jaw drops. “You want to marry me?”
“I do, sweetheart, more than anything else.” William rubs the back of his neck, and I can almost see the knots he’s trying to relieve. “You know, Chase, with your parents gone, I was hoping to talk to you man to man and ask for your permission, but your approval isn’t necessary.”
“You know what? I have fucking heard enough of this bullshit.” Chase points a finger at William’s face, getting far too close and way too snarly. Then he takes it a step further and presses said finger into William’s shoulder. “And I can guaran-damn-tee you there will be consequences.”
William squares his shoulders. I hold my breath. Thankfully he doesn’t wind up and clock my brother. Oh, he’s pissed, all right; William’s eyes look like stone-cold slits. A deep frown line wedges right between them, all the way down to his nose. If you could hit someone through eye contact alone, Chase would be knocked out cold. But William doesn’t utter a peep and stays steadfastly by my side.
“Jenny?” Chase shifts back to me with some sort of gangsta-cowboy lean. “I’m only asking you one more time—come home with me now and we’ll forget any of this ever happened.”
I shake my head. “I’m sorry, Chase, but I’m not going anywhere.”
