Chapter Fifty-Five
Lochlan
“ I have something special planned for your birthday tonight, but I need your curious eyes preoccupied until it’s done.”
She smiles up at me from the kitchen table, dazzling me with her beauty, and my heart nearly stops in my chest.
Her anticipation about tonight has been buzzing through her, though, and I’m trying not to feel the pressure.
But, fuck if I can’t wait to have her.
If my bruised side wasn’t so tender the last few days, I probably would have let her take advantage of me, but the last thing I want to do is mess up a special moment for the most incredible woman I’ve ever met.
“I need to go to the bank and make sure I have full access to my trust and home to pack the last of my things.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“It won’t be pleasant, but it’ll be fine.”
“I can go with you.”
She stands from the table, wrapping her arms around my neck.
“You worry too much.”
“You have a tendency to walk face-first into danger. ”
“Of course, I do. I know you’ll always be there to protect me.” She smirks and leans into me further when I snake my hands under her skirt to palm her ass.
“Until the day I die, darlin’.”
She tries to hide it, but I feel the sadness sweep over her.
We both know that tomorrow, she won’t be here for me to protect.
* * *
Jo: I told them what Conrad did, and they don’t believe me.
They’re taking his side.
Jo: They took my car.
They won’t let me leave.
Lochlan: I should have come with you.
Lochlan: Jo?
Lochlan: Missed Call
Lochlan: Missed Call
Lochlan: I’m coming for you.
The twisting in my gut increases every mile closer I get to her father’s estate and every minute that I don’t hear from her…
They wouldn’t hurt her.
They wouldn’t.
Politicians are the worst type of criminals.
Would they hurt her?
I’m not taking the chance.
I’ve already almost lost her this week, and I refuse to let a hair be harmed on her head.
Her BMW is sitting in the driveway when I pull up to the gates.
They’re more secure than mine, with a guard standing in a booth .
“How may I help you, sir?” The guard asks.
He’s an older man, wearing a ball cap over his graying hair.
“I’m here to see JoAnna.”
“Ah, friends with our Jo girl, huh? I haven’t seen her much this summer.”
“I’m her fiancé.”
“Well, I’ll be. Why didn’t you say so?” He buzzes the gates, and they swing open.
I nod him my thanks and drive through.
Pulling the fiancé card might have been unnecessary, especially since our charade has come to an end, but it rolls off the tongue too easily.
I meet more resistance at the front door, except this man is wearing a suit.
He’s either a nicely dressed security guard or a butler of some sort.
“How can I help you, sir?”
If one more person asks me that damn question before I set my eyes on Jo, I’m going to lose my fucking mind.
“I’m here for Jo.”
“JoAnna?” He asks curiously as if he’s never heard her nickname.
That’s all the reason I need to push past him, forcing my way inside.
He calls after me as I stride down the long marble hall.
Raised voices are coming from a room with double wooden doors, and I don’t hesitate to blow them wide open.
I find Jo first, sitting by herself on a small sofa.
Her father is standing behind a desk, her mother standing behind him on one side, as her brother paces in front of the desk.
They all stop speaking to look at me, but I only see her.
“Are you okay?”
She tips her head and smiles, looking at me in relief.
“I’m fine.”
“What the hell are you doing in my house?” Her father grits through his teeth.
I ignore him, closing the distance to Jo, stroking her cheek with my thumb.
“Ready to leave?”
“Yes.” She gives me her hand and I pull her to stand.
“We’re discussing this, NOW, JOANNA!” He booms, and I watch her flinch.
But, before I can give this fucker a piece of my mind, she steps in front of me.
“I’m done talking. I’ve said my peace.”
“We’ll take your trust fund,” her mother rattles, through a handkerchief as if she’s been crying.
“If you try, I’ll have my lawyer obliterate you. I’ll take you all down, starting with Conrad,” she threatens calmly, nodding at me confidently as she struts out of the room like she owns it.
“WE’RE NOT FINISHED!” Her father yells.
“She’s done and she won’t be back.” I hold his gaze until he loses his nerve and blinks away.
My murderous glare finds Conrad next.
“If you utter her name or so much as breathe in her direction ever again, I’ll fucking kill you.”
“And, what gives you the fucking right?” Her father asks after I turn my back.
“She’ll be my wife . My family ,” I thunder, watching them blanch.
“You don’t have the right to her anymore,” I finish calmly.
The yelling continues as I leave the room, but I let the doors slam behind me.
All the noise drowns out once I set my eyes on her.
“I called for a rental car. You didn’t have to come rescue me. ”
“I did. Even if you didn’t need saving, I’d still lurk behind you, making sure you’re alright.” I wrap my hands in her hair, holding her tenderly.
“It’s not really lurking when you storm the castle,” she whispers, smiling softly.
“Well, there’s a time and place for everything.”
“I guess this worked one last time, huh?” She puts her left hand on my chest, tapping her ring finger against my sternum.
I grab her hand in mine, rubbing my thumb against the gold band, and the pit in my stomach twists for entirely different reasons than it was an hour ago.
“I hope they didn’t ruin your birthday,” I say, instead of all the other things trying to claw their way out.
She shakes her head as I walk her to the truck.
“They don’t get to ruin any more of my days.”
“Proud of you.”
“Thanks.” She smiles brightly, scooting over to snuggle into my side once we’re inside.
“I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“I don’t think that’s true…”
“You believed in me enough to make me believe in myself. Because of you, I don’t look in the mirror and see all the things I hate. I see all the things you love about me. It might seem silly to you, but it’s changed my life.”
“You’ve changed my life, darlin’.” I kiss her temple, cherishing the way she relaxes further into my side, ignoring the twinge of pain it causes.
The pain in my heart far outweighs it.
“Take me home.”
“As you wish, my princess.” I nuzzle her cheek until her smile turns to a full grin.
She no longer belongs to the people of North Carolina…
Only me.
For now.