Page 82 of Obsessive Love

"Move!" I shout, stepping towards them and fixing my fierce glare on the back of my father's head.

"I beg your pardon?" he says, swivelling around on the chair to face me.

"I said move."

He frowns at me, amusement dancing in his eyes when he sees the evident fury on my face.

"Why exactly should I move?" he asks, tilting his head to the side as he examines my tense stance.

"You're making her uncomfortable," I state.

"Oh, don't be so ridiculous," he replies, chuckling as he turns to her. "I'm not making you uncomfortable, am I sweetheart?"

His arm moves towards her as if he intends to place his hand on her shoulder, and I see red.

A snarl of rage escapes me and I lunge forward, grabbing his arm before his hand can come into contact with her, holding it tightly as I scowl at him.

"You do not touch her," I hiss.

He smirks up at me, twisting his arm to try and loosen my hold, but I don't let go.

"You seem awfully protective over your brother's wife, son."

"You were one of the ones that appointed me as her secondary bodyguard," I grunt. "I'm doing my job."

He yanks his arm towards his chest, but I still remain stoic, digging my fingers into his skin and keeping his arm in my clutches where I know he can't get anywhere near her again.

"Kaleb, stand down," Jericho says, drawing my attention away from the man seated in front of me.

I glower at my brother, subtly shaking my head.

He looks towards Jaylen, motioning with his head in our direction and I watch from the corner of my eye as Jaylen puts his plate down and walks over to Sophia, taking her hand in his and pulling her out of her chair and walking her over to the other side of the kitchen where he was previously standing.

"Stand down," he says again, this time softer.

I sneak a glance at where Sophia's now standing with Jaylen and then slowly retract my hand from around my father's arm and take a step back and my muscles relax slightly now that she's further away from him.

"What is it that you want to talk about?" Jericho asks, walking around the counter and sitting in the seat Sophia just vacated, purposefully putting himself in my father's direct line of sight and blocking Sophia from his view.

My father's suspicious gaze swings my way for a moment before he looks back to Jericho and stands from his seat.

"I just wanted to come over here before the auction tomorrow to make sure that you were all prepared."

"Prepared for what exactly?"

"Well, after the attack on your wedding day and the attempted attack whilst your wife was last out shopping, I think it's safe to assume that the Garcias will know about the auction and be planning something for tomorrow night," he muses, buttoning his blazer and smoothing his hands down the sides.

"I don't think we'll have an issue at the auction, but despite that, I have arranged for extra security to surround the perimeter from both families," Jericho assures him.

"I'm glad to see that you've thought ahead and already adjusted things. I also wanted to make sure you and your wife are prepared for your first appearance together. That is if you'll be allowed to touch her whilst your brother is around."

He smirks at me, expecting a reaction, but I don't give the bastard any satisfaction, keeping my face and body relaxed.

"I have that under control as well. As you heard, Sophia has her dress, I'll have a matching tie and we'll be sure to mingle with everyone at the auction," Jericho tells him, choosing to ignore his comment about me.

"Well, that's great, but you'll have to do more than match each other's attire and walk around talking to people. This marriage has to sell. We need the whole city to believe that this isn't a hoax, and from what I've seen of you two so far, you don't even look like acquaintances, let alone a happily married couple."

"This is the first time you've seen us together since the wedding," Jericho retorts.

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