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A future with Skylar Rose.
And if everything worked out as planned, when we walked back into the clubhouse tonight, she would be my fiancée as the ring box King gave me weighed heavily in my suit pocket.
When I broached the subject with King, I didn’t know what to expect, but when my brother hugged the air out of my lungs and wiped away a stray tear, I knew he was happy for me. While I had King’s approval, getting Hawk’s and Law’s was different. Neither man was eager to give their permission. Law eventually agreed, but convincing Hawk was a challenge. Fucker didn’t believe I was good enough for his goddaughter and with Skylar’s dad gone, Hawk felt the need to step up and read me the riot act. He still didn’t like me and the feeling was mutual, but I was determined to do the right thing.
Eventually, I told the man I was going to do what I wanted to, regardless. Reluctantly, the stubborn man to agreed.
Pulling up in front of the Rosewood Country Club, I left the engine running as I walked around my truck, handing the keys to the valet before opening the passenger side door. Helping Skylar Rose out of the vehicle, I tucked her hand in the crook of my arm and escorted her inside.
There were a lot of fine dining restaurants in Rosewood, being a tourist town, but for tonight, I wanted the best and the Rosewood Country Club was the best. It had been years since I’d been here and never thought I would be again.
“Chase, I’ve never been to a place like this,” she whispered, hugging my arm tighter. “Are you sure I’m dressed appropriately?”
“You look perfect, baby. Absolutely perfect.”
“Mr. Montclair,” the hostess greeted with a smile. “How wonderful to see you again. Your table is ready. Please follow me.”
With a firm grip on Skylar, we followed the hostess into the dining room, where she promptly guided us to our seats. After seating Skylar, I took a seat, looking around the dining room.
It shocked me to see the place so full for a Tuesday evening.
A waiter quickly arrived, taking our drink orders.
“I thought places like this only existed in movies,” Skylar whispered, looking around the room in awe.
“It’s just a restaurant, baby. If they didn’t have the best steaks in town, I would have taken you somewhere else.”
“You didn’t want to come here?”
I shrugged. “It’s not that. This place isn’t really my scene, but I wanted you to have a good night.”
“Chase, I don’t care where we eat. If you are uncomfortable eating here, we can leave.”
“It’s not that, baby.”
“Then what is it?”
Before I could answer, a familiar voice sneered, “You have a lot of fucking nerve showing up here, asshole.”
Sighing, I sat up straighter.
“Good evening, Brian. It’s been a long time.”
“Not long enough,” my former friend and Ellie’s youngest brother scoffed. “How dare you show up here after what you did? You are not welcome here. Leave.”
“I pay my membership dues, just like you, Brian. You’ve said what you wanted to say. Now please leave.”
Slamming his hands down on the table, he growled. “You don’t belong here, murderer. Because of you, my sister is dead, and you dare parade your new whore in front of decent people. You disgust me.”
Skylar Rose slowly got to her feet. “Let’s go, Chase. I don’t want to eat here anymore.”
“Listen to the slut and leave before I make sure she ends up just like my sister.”
And that was all it took.
Jumping to my feet, I punched Brian Matthews square in the jaw. People screamed as I tackled Brian, slamming him against a table, breaking it instantly with our weight. Hitting him repeatedly, I didn’t stop. All I cared about was hurting him badly. How dare he say that shit to Skylar? She was innocent. She had nothing to do with Ellie or her accident. And that’s all it was... a horrible accident. I knew Brian blamed me for his sister’s death. I just didn’t know how much until now.
When his fist connected with my jaw, I stumbled back, shaking off the sting before I swung, hitting him in the ribs. Before I could get another shot, someone dragged me away from him forcefully. They yanked my arms behind me, placing metal handcuffs on my wrist.
