Page 76 of Reluctantly His

His gaze hardened as his left cheek twitched. “I came to speak with you and apologize for the misunderstanding last evening.”

My natural instinct was to cower and then do whatever he said.

But I wasn’t his. I wasn’t a dog my father bred and trained to sell off for breeding.

I belonged to Reid. Only Reid.

I wanted to make him proud, so I wasn’t going to give this asshole the satisfaction.

“Misunderstanding? Here we call it assault.”

“Whatever. It’s in the past. Come, let me show off my beautiful fiancée and show the world the rumors from last night’s party are just that.” He took my arm and pulled me toward him. “Silly rumors. We shall put them to bed, and soon we will be wed and…”

“Are you insane?” I yanked my hand out of his grip. “We’re not getting married.”

“You are making a scene.” His voice lowered and his eyes darted around as if people were watching him.

I searched over his shoulder for Hunter. “Let go of me now, or I really will make a scene, and then I will have my guard throw you overboard. It’s a cold night. I don’t know if you will make it all the way back to shore.” I bared my teeth as I spoke, trying to channel Reid and his command over every situation.

I may not have had the fortitude to be him when it came to my father, but I wasn’t about to let this man walk all over me.

Romney started as his shoulders hitched high over his ears. His gaze shifted around us, searching the crowd. “If that gorilla comes anywhere near me again, I’ll have him arrested for attempted murder.”

His threat chilled my rebellious ardor. It wouldn’t serve to gain my freedom by having Reid’s taken away. To diffuse the situation, I lied. “That bodyguard has been let go, but that doesn’t mean I’m not still guarded. I suggest you walk away.”

“Come with me now.” He grabbed my arm again, this time hard enough to hurt. “This marriage is happening if I have to whip you all the way up to the fucking altar.”

“Let go of me.” I tried to pull my arm away, but he squeezed tighter. Any tighter and he’d break my arm. “I am not going to marry you. The engagement is off.”

“You don’t get to make that call,” he seethed as he dragged me to a more secluded point on the deck.

I dug my heels in, not wanting to move. “If you don’t let go, I will scream!”

Before he could respond, there were several loud gunshots, then a booming voice, “Ladies and gentlemen, this is a robbery.”

CHAPTER 28

CHARLOTTE

My eyes widened as I lowered my body and moved closer to the wall.

A thousand thoughts clashed around my mind.

Where is Hunter?

Is Ginnie safe?

Reid.

Reid.

Reid.

It was too cruel that the moment I decided to actually start living by telling a man I loved him, I would be gunned down in a vicious robbery.

At least we weren’t with the main guests…

While people screamed and cried out, the gunmen corralled them at the bow. Several of the ski-masked men held out open black backpacks as they demanded jewelry, phones, and wallets.

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