Chapter 15 #2
“Do you think infidelity was involved?” someone whispers.
I lift my hands, trying to rein it back in. “Can we please stay on tra?—”
“We shouldn’t assume,” another voice cuts in. “But have you seen Scout lately? A woman doesn’t glow like that for no reason.”
“I agree! I just saw them in a heated argument. Thought they were going to tear each other’s clothes off right there in the middle of the sidewalk!”
That one nearly makes me choke. My eyes snap to Scout, whose blush is so bright, I can see it all the way across the dimly lit room.
I should be loving this right now, everyone questioning her character, but I’m surprised when the satisfaction I was expecting to feel doesn’t come. Instead, I find myself feeling more protective of her than anything.
When the fuck did that happen?
I guess all those sleepless nights are starting to catch up with me.
“All right, now that’s enough.” My voice cuts through the chatter, sharper now, and the room slowly settles.
“Since I’d like to get something accomplished tonight, let me just clear the air.
” I point to Scout and motion for her to stand.
She hesitates, then rises slowly like she’s unsure of the direction I’m going.
“Yes. The rumors are true. Scout and I were married over the weekend…”
A fresh wave of gasps ripples through the room as Scout gives a small, shy wave, looking like she could combust on the spot.
“And while we’re on the subject…” I pause, letting my voice drop low enough to make people shift in their seats.
“Let me be very clear… If I ever hear anyone questioning my wife’s integrity again—insinuating she cheated on her ex or anything of the sort—there will be hell to pay. Do I make myself clear?”
Heads nod all around me as hushed agreements fill the air.
“Good,” I say, feeling my blood pressure slowly beginning to calm down.
“Since everyone is so preoccupied with my love life, I guess I’ll go ahead and start off the meeting.
” I glance around the room as all eyes zero in on me as I get ready to make my big announcement…
But when I notice Jett sitting in the third row, arms crossed, wearing a look of content amusement to not be involved in any of the drama, I wince.
So… I may have forgotten to give him a heads up about one tiny detail I sort of went rogue on.
Of course, of all nights, Roman wasn’t able to make tonight’s meeting to help me deflect.
Make no mistake, I love my middle brother, but I’d happily throw him under the bus if it means dodging the wrath of the loose cannon that is Jett Kingsley.
Perspiration beads at my neck, and I swipe at it, already bracing for the explosion.
He’s going to freak the fuck out. But maybe it’s better with an audience. At least then he can’t get away with murdering me. If nothing else, the dozens of casualties should at least slow him down, right?
Jett gives me the slightest nod, as if saying, good job wrangling the circus . And a pang of guilt twists in my gut.
Just say it. Rip it off like a Band-Aid.
“I wanted to update you on the actions I’ve taken after our last meeting.” I’m trying my best to avoid looking at Jett, though I can practically feel my skin sizzling from the glare he’s shooting me.
Too late to back out now.
I blow out a breath as my spite grabs the wheel.
“After our last meeting, I took your suggestions into consideration, and I agree, we do need to spice things up around here. Bring a little life to our downtown area,” I say, trying to keep my tone even.
“Which is why this year’s festival won’t just feature another temporary performance; it’ll leave a permanent mark.
A mural, a beautiful piece of art we can admire for generations?—”
My announcement is interrupted when the door swings open. Two more people slip in, and the volume in the room starts to rise.
I raise my voice to cut through it. “—and, who better to bring them to life than our very own hometown artist… Scout Kingsley .”
Chaos. Absolute, beautiful chaos.
Half the room erupts in cheers; the other half launches into a full-blown debate about preserving the town’s “wholesome” image.
It’s a shit storm of epic proportions, and I love knowing I’m the one who lit the match.
“Finally,” Miss Scarlett calls over the noise. “I think it’s a wonderful idea!”
“I knew this would happen!” Clyde hisses to Gus. “Our town’s going to hell in a hand basket with this criminal in charge.”
“Can he do that?” someone else calls out.
Their expressions are better than I imagined, like I just suggested we host a live sex show rather than paint a mural downtown. I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from grinning.
I’m still avoiding Jett’s death glare as I add, “That’s right, a massive mural featuring our infamous Phantom is sure to become Ashford Falls’ biggest attraction. And I can’t think of a better place than on the side of Restaurant.”
The room explodes at the mention of the Phantom.
Lily and Lucy start arguing with Fergus about whether his father actually saw the Phantom or just hallucinated it after too many fermented persimmons. Miss Scarlett’s fanning herself as she tells Colleen Collier about the most recent Phantom romance novel…
It’s almost too perfect. Honestly, this may be my finest work yet.
I’m thoroughly enjoying myself watching the chaos I’ve unleashed, when movement at the back of the room catches my eye.
The two late arrivals, who slipped in quietly before, are now shoving their way through the rows of chairs as they make a beeline straight for Scout.
And that’s when I recognize them.
Her parents.
What the fuck are they doing here?
Just like that, the amusement I was just feeling drains out of me, replaced by a sharp, familiar anger. My heart lurches up into my throat, and I shift as my eyes lock onto Scout, zeroing in on every twitch of her expression.
She’s smiling softly to herself, clearly amused by the utter chaos. But the moment she recognizes them, all the color drains from her face.
Her eyebrows raise in surprise. “What are you doing here?” I see the words form on her lips as she turns to her mother, who’s wearing a pale pink calf-length skirt and a matching blouse that washes out her pale complexion.
Her blonde hair is pulled into a tight, severe knot, and she’s literally clutching the pearls around her neck.
Beside her, Judge Sinclair stands ramrod straight, dark hair slicked back, the picture of judgment stuffed into a custom-tailored suit.
I can’t hear what they’re saying, but it’s not exactly difficult to figure out.
I’m so focused on trying to decipher the exchange that I don’t even notice Jett has moved beside me… Not until his arm crooks around my neck from behind…
“There’s no fucking way I’m going to allow you to vandalize my building… again,” he growls in my ear, tightening his grip to cut off my air supply.
I try to thrash, elbowing him, but Jett’s got that grown-man strength—the same as Dad and Leo—and it’s impossible to escape. I’m not sure what age you unlock it, but it sure as hell isn’t twenty-six.
I punch his arm and throw a kick back, desperate to break free, but he just clamps down harder.
“Dammit, Jett, let me go,” I gasp. My vision starts to blur as I struggle against his hold, but my eyes stay trained on Scout.
It feels like I’m watching her parents siphon the life out of her right before my eyes.
Scout cowers as her mother shouts something at her. And I swear I can feel her heart breaking all the way across the room.
My stomach twists in mangled knots as I watch the sparkle in her eyes slowly disappear, like a raincloud swallowing the sun.
Why isn’t she standing up for herself?
Why the fuck is she just taking it?
A renewed sense of rage burns through my chest as a mixture of disappointment and irritation consume me, and I go completely still.
Her father grabs her by the arm and yanks her toward him. My rage intensifies, and all I see is red.
I’m not sure how it happens. One second, I’m stuck in Jett’s headlock, and the next, he’s flying over my shoulder, crashing into a row of metal chairs as I charge across the room.
Her father yanks her by the arm. “You’ve embarrassed me quite enough. We are leaving. Now?—”
“Get your fucking hands off her.” I shove him in the chest, sending him sprawling backward into the chairs with a loud metallic crash.
I know it’s a bit of an overkill considering I’m at least forty years younger than the old bastard and could’ve handled him easily. But right now, I don’t care.
Samantha, Scout’s mother, lets out a horrified shriek, and if my shove wasn’t enough to draw everyone’s attention, we definitely have the spotlight now.
Judge Sinclair grunts as he hits the floor, and Samantha rushes to help him up.
But the second he reaches for Scout again, I’m there.
I step between them and shove him once more, this time getting in his face.
“She’s not going anywhere with you. And if you put your hands on my wife again, I’ll happily add another conviction to my record. ”
I shove him again, planting myself like a wall between them and Scout. “Now get the fuck out of my town and don’t come back.”
He finally staggers to his feet and adjusts his suit, like he’s attempting to preserve some of his dignity. But before he can take another step in Scout’s direction, Jett’s there. He grabs the collar of his shirt and starts dragging him toward the door.
Everyone in the room parts like the Red Sea. Not a soul daring to intervene—not that they need to.
Samantha turns to Scout, her lips pressed so tight they’re almost white. “Scout, do something!”
But Scout just stands there, frozen in place.
Samantha scoffs, her voice dripping with contempt. “Fine. I hope he’s worth it. I always knew you’d throw your life away. After everything we’ve done for you, this is how you repay us?”
“Mama…” Scout finally says, barely audible. “It’s not like that, and you know it.”
It’s only then that I notice the tears streaking down her cheeks.
“Do not call me that,” Samantha hisses, her eyes sharp and cold as steel.
The room goes so quiet, you could hear a pin drop.
And then, heels clicking across the floor, Miss Scarlett steps forward and grabs Samantha by the arm. “All right that’s enough,” she says cooly, spinning her around and giving her a firm shove toward the exit. “Time to go. Good riddance.”