Page 134 of Finding Hope

“And he f–” Alex bites off his words with a strangled cry. He points toward me. “He touched my baby sister, Kit!”

“I’m not a damn baby!” I snap. The welt in his forehead, the mark that came from my epic sauce throwing abilities, leaves me with a warm fire of giddiness kindling in my stomach. “I’m twenty-four years old, X. I’m a professional.”

“You’re a professional?” Taking another step forward, he stops when Annie lets out another snapping growl. Sighing, he looks back at me. “Look at you! You’re throwing eggs at the police!”

“No, dumbass. I’m throwing eggs at my stupid brother!”

“You’re throwing eggs in front of your students!”

I look down at Evie and Bean’s gleeful eyes. They’re eating this up like it’s the most exciting thing they’ve ever seen. God knows the shit they get to witness on the Kincaid estate.

“They’re learning a valuable lesson today, aren’t you girls?”

Evie nods enthusiastically. “Yes, Miss T!”

“What lesson?” Alex asks disbelievingly.

Evie juts her chin forward with attitude. “That we don’t tolerate people talking shit about our family.”

Alex’s eyes go wide. “Did ya hear that? She said shit! She said shit to me, the Chief! She’s a delinquent! Probably gonna be arrested before she’s eighteen.”

“She’s gonna kick your ass before she’s eighteen, too,” I snap. “I’ve seen her kick bigger bullies than you around.”

“Oh, Jesus fucking Christ.” He scrubs his hands across his face. “Enough already. I’m sorry, okay?” His eyes come up to meet mine. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean what I said. I’m still a little raw about last night.”

I take my phone out of my pocket and dial Jack. He picks up on the first ring. “Bambie! Are you alive?”

“Hey. I’m alive.”

He lets out a wary chuckle. “Is Alex?”

“Yeah, hold on, he’s got something to say to you.”

“Oh, shit–”

“Alex!” I hold the phone out in front of me. “Say it again!”

“Brittany!”

“Say. It. Again!”

“Fucccccck,” he groans. “I’m sorry, Jack.”

“Say it louder, X. The neighbors didn’t hear.”

“Brittany Hope Turner!”

“I’m waiting.”

“I’m the Chief of this town. How’m I supposed to demand respect when a bunch of pyscho women threaten me with eggs?”

“Just don’t annoy us and you’re set. Now say it for those of us in the back!”

His eyes flare wider, the vein in his forehead throbs dangerously, and his chest puffs up with adrenaline. His deep breath whistles through his nose.

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen my brother this pissed before.

“I’m. Sorry.”

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