Page 125 of Finding Hope

Alex steps into the hall, beefy arms crossed over his chest Wyatt Earp style, and stops our movements. With an ugly scowl pasted over his face, he literally picks my arm up and shoves it off her.

“Get off my sister.”

I let him move me, because although this was never going to be the best way to meet her family, it happened, so I may as well just ride the wave.

She’s his baby sister. Anyone fucked with my sisters or nieces, they wouldn’t be coming to my house fordinner.

I’ll allow this one.

“Alex.”

Glaring, he drops his hand onto his hip in warning. Motherfucker still has his gun. “Reilly.”

“X,” Bambie grumbles. “Stop. I know you all know each other, but… Alex, this is my boyfriend, Jack Reilly.”

Alex literally grunts. That’s it.

“Jack, this is my big brother, Alex.”

“Deputy Alex.” I extend a hand and bite my tongue when he simply looks at it like it’s rotten.

Finally, his glacial eyes come back to mine. “That’s Chief, to you.”

There’s no laughter in his words today, not like last night. I bite down harder before I tell him to go fuck himself with his power trip.

Huffing with exasperation, Britt takes my lonely outstretched hand in hers and walks forward. Alex’s eyes track our hands, then Britt literally shoulder shoves him so we can walk by.

I’m not normally a guy who’d let a chick be my muscle, but fucked if I’m gonna stop her tonight. Britt can protect me, I’m having a hell of a time watching her step up to her big ass brother – he has a gun, and she’s shoulder barging him.

I’m confident he won’t shoot her.

But I’m not so confident aboutmysurvival tonight.

I let Britt lead me into the lion’s den, aka, a living room that resembles more of a frat house than it does a regular house.

I was so worried about impressing a girl’s family, about the fact I basically lived my teenage years in a frat house.

Fuck that – she’sstillliving in a frat house.

I smile at the band, the band I’ve drank with before. The band I’ve bullshitted with at the club. I’ve talked girls with these guys; after Steph, after Britt.

Any other place, any other time, we’re friends.

But tonight, they’re in big brother mode, and I’m the asshole who’s laying claim on their sister.

I get it.

“Guys.”

Britt sighs at their less than friendly welcome. “You know Scotch.” She points him out; wild hair, short stubble, arctic blue eyes just like his brother and sister. She points to the next guy. “Marcus.” Lighter brown hair, green eyes. “Don’t speak tonight, Marc, or I’ll kick your ass.” She looks to the next. “Angelo.” Long hair, man bun, trendy ripped jeans. “And Luca.” Blonde, short cropped hair, Rolling Stones T-shirt, and watchful eyes.

“Hey.” I try again, but they continue to glare.

I guess Alex told them about last night.

Girly giggling and chatting has me turning to find the two blondes and the mousy brown-haired girl entering the living room.

My stomach tumbles.

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