Page 93 of A Very Merry Mistake

“Hey.” He pulls me to his chest. My tears slowly fall as he holds me against him. I can’t remember the last time I felt emotions so strongly, but here I am. Jake pets my hair, resting his chin on top of my head. “You’re okay. You’re safe.” He kisses my hair and squeezes me tight. “It’s gonna be okay.”

All of this is too much, and I feel like I’m losing my grasp on the character I’ve tried to play to make everyone in my life happy. Jake sees the real me, and that means more than words can describe. I’ve quickly grown attached to him, his family, and even his cranky cat.

None of this was supposed to happen.

I planned to visit Merryville, take what I wanted, and destroy lives without a second thought. But I can’t do that now. Not anymore. Because I stupidly, but without apology, fell hard and fast for Jake Jolly.

CHAPTER 24

JAKE

I adore Claire—her voice, her laugh, the cute way she scrunches her nose when she hears something she doesn’t like. Not to mention her moans or how she begs me to give it to her harder when she’s close and the way she screams my name as she comes. There’s a lot about Claire that I’ll miss when she leaves, but I’m hoping a solution will reveal itself. Like my ma told me, I need to have faith.

If we lose the farm, I’m not sure what I’ll do anyway. I push those thoughts away, because they’re too intrusive and only cause me to worry, which isn’t helpful.

If only things were different.

I think about Claire and her career and how I’ll never make her choose me over her dreams. With everything she’s shared, she’s dedicated. Sailing, golf, ballroom dancing? All sports you couldn’t pay me to do, even with desperately needing money fast.

When we arrive at my house, there’s a silver Jaguar parked outside. It’s slick, with smooth curves, and I don’t see a speck of dirt on it, which is completely unnatural.

I look at Claire and notice there’s alarm written on her face, but then her brow furrows, and I’m met with anger. She’s livid. Before I can ask any questions, she exits the truck and marches across the driveway. Gravel crunches under her shoes, and her hands are balled into tight fists.

A man who is sitting on one of the rocking chairs on my porch stands. I didn’t even notice him there. He’s on the shorter side, and he almost meets her eye to eye. Based on her hands and how her feet are spaced shoulder-width apart, I think she might deck him.

“What are you doin’ here?” she screams, and I get out of the truck and follow her.

“Claire,” I say, not wanting to have to beat this guy’s ass for trespassing.

“Oh, is this your new boy toy?” he asks. He’s older; if I have to guess, in his late forties. Too young to be her father.

“Dale, fuck off. I’ve told you to leave me alone.”

A sneer spreads across his face. “See, that’s where you’ve got it wrong, princess. Let’s go. We have some things to discuss.”

He grabs her arm, and I step up. “Sir, you’re gonna take your hands off her right now.”

“Or what?” He looks me up and down, tightening his grip. I don’t respond with words.

I lift my fist and punch him right in the face. He falls back, crashes into the rocking chair, and groans. “You hit me!” he exclaims, clutching at his face.

“Yes, sir, I did. Now, you’re gonna get your goddamn ass off my property. And be sure when you go to the sheriff you tell him you were trespassin’, ’cause he ain’t gonna take kindly to that. Might wonder why I didn’t shoot you between the eyes. You come back, and I will.”

“Are you threatening me?” He’s still holding his face, rolling on the ground, dirtying a formerly pristine suit.

“It’s not a threat but a promise. Now, I’m gonna give you ten minutes to get the hell outta here.”

I hold my hand out for Claire and unlock the door, allowing her inside. I don’t follow, though. Instead, I turn around to finish the conversation he started.

He’s still sitting on the ground, trying to get up. I place my firm hand on his shoulder and squeeze. “And if you ever touch her or lay another fucking hand on her again, I will find you.” I pat his back. “Now, try to have a nice day. Oh, and if no one has told ya yet, Merry Christmas. The timer starts now.”

I walk inside and slam the door, then crack my knuckles before setting an alarm on my phone for ten minutes.

Claire stares at me, and I can’t quite place her expression. “I can’t believe you did that.”

“I’m sor—”

She shakes her head, rubbing her arm where he grabbed her. “No, don’t apologize. No one has ever stood up to him for me.”

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