Total pages in book: 213
Estimated words: 202770 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1014(@200wpm)___ 811(@250wpm)___ 676(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 202770 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1014(@200wpm)___ 811(@250wpm)___ 676(@300wpm)
“A bastard who had a key she didn’t give him,” Jax adds.
Chance looks at me. “I don’t even have a key. How fuck did he get a key?”
“I don’t know,” I say. “But he walked right in, and honestly, you don’t know that man like I do. I thank God Jax was there. He made him leave. I don’t think you really understand, Chance, and that’s on me, but—he scares me.”
My brother stares at me to the point of awkward before he says, “I’ll get him out of town.” He looks at Jax. “Thank you for being there for my sister but I’m not my father. I don’t know what happened between him and your brother and neither does Emma.”
“Prove it,” Jax says. “Why did your father want the castle in the first place? He came at it like we’re sitting on an oil field.”
“I’ll be damned if I know,” Chance says. “But he wanted it.” My brother glances my direction. “He even put that in the will. Get the castle. That’s an exact quote.”
Relief washes over me that he’s not only been honest with me on this, but that he’s done it in front of Jax, and even looks at Jax as he adds, “That’s all I know.”
“And I need to know what that’s about,” Jax says. “Because my brother is dead.”
Chance draw back, as if slapped. “You actually think that’s connected to us?”
“Is it?” Jax challenges.
“Look, man, I get it. It hurts, but I don’t see the connection between my father and your brother’s suicide.”
I cringe with the descriptive words I know will hit a nerve and set Jax off.
“I do,” Jax says. “And I won’t stop coming until I know where that lands.”
“Coming?” Chance challenges.
“Yes, coming. And if you didn’t think I had a reason, you wouldn’t be in my face about Emma. You wouldn’t think I have a reason to hurt her.”
Chance’s gaze jerks to me. “Did you hear that? Do you see who you’re playing games with right now, Emma?”
“He isn’t trying to hurt me, Chance.”
He takes my arm. “Come with me.”
“No,” I say, shoving against him. “Stop. I’ll meet you upstairs, Chance.” I soften my voice. “I know you want to protect me, but Jax isn’t the enemy. Tell him what you know.”
“There’s nothing to tell.”
“If you want to protect her,” Jax says, “rein in York, use his family, and yes, I mean Marion, who you too coincidentally have your sister meeting today. Because if you don’t, I sure the fuck will.”
“Jax,” I warn.
He looks down at me. “He hasn’t protected you, Emma, but I will and that I won’t apologize for.”
“You will?” Chance challenges. “Says the man accusing her family of God knows what?”
Jax’s gaze jerks back to his. “Yes. I will and everyone should take note and take it well.”
“I’ll handle York,” Chance replies and looks at me. “Marion will be here in fifteen minutes. I’ll see you upstairs.”
I give him a choppy nod, and he turns and walks away. I stare after him, praying that he’s not involved in something that damaged Jax’s family, but that doesn’t absolve Jax from his behavior either. The minute my brother’s out of hearing range, I whirl on him. “Why would you go at him about Marion?”
“He knows York showed up in your apartment and he’s throwing you into a meeting with Marion. I don’t like it, Emma. It feels off.”
“He’s my brother and he didn’t know about York showing up to my apartment until we told him.”
His lips thin. “He knew. I saw it in his eyes.”
“He didn’t know,” I bite out.
“Take it from me, sweetheart. We don’t always know our siblings as well as we think. I’m proof of that fact.”
That statement ignites more anger in one moment, and then softens me in the next, my hand settling on his chest. “I know. And I know you want to protect me, but Chance and my mother are all I have left. I need to believe in my brother.”
“And he needs you to believe in him, but at what cost, Emma?” He softens. “Just be careful, baby. I don’t want you hurt in all of this. You’re in the middle of a live fire.” He pulls me close, pressing his cheek to mine, his lips at my ear. “We are good, really damn good, Emma.” He inches back to look at me. “You know that, right?”
“Yes. I know.” I grab his lapel. “And I really do like baby. Not just because of how you say it. Because I’ve decided that you use it when you’re emotional and I think very few people get to see those emotions. But just remember, we’re good because we understand each other. And what I understand now is that while you may not choose to show those emotions to others, they’re present, and like it or not, they’re a part of you and your decisions.”