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They.
His brothers. And their girlfriends and wives.
I shouldn't feel so intimidated. I know almost all of them. I'm friends with some of the women. But walking in there, knowing they were all searching for me last night, feels like the hardest thing I've ever had to do.
Ok, maybe not the hardest.
Telling them we're getting married is going to be the hardest.
"I'm ready." No, I'm not. "Let's go."
Jonas's is the biggest apartment I've been in, but this place makes it look tiny. When Jonas hit the PH button, I thought it would be big. I don’t think they make small penthouses. But I was not expecting this.
The elevator opens right into the foyer. Jonas takes my hand and pulls me off since, apparently, I've forgotten how to walk. I knew they were rich. But somehow, that just seemed like a fact. Like the sky is blue and water is wet. They're all so normal. Ok, not normal, but down to earth. They're kind and at work, so approachable. But now, I'm reminded of how different their life truly is.
We turn right off the elevator, and I stop dead. There, at the biggest dining table I've ever seen, are way too many people. All the rest of my bosses are there, all eight of them, and all the women. I can't meet the men's eyes, they're too questioning, so I focus on my friends.
That's worse. It's not just their eyes that are questioning, it's their whole bodies. Becca's got her eyebrow raised, and her hand propped on her hip. Maya looks sympathetic but also really worried. But Cara's the one who comes out and says it.
"You scared the shit out of us, Janey. And now you and Jonas are holding hands? What the fuck?" Declan, sitting next to her, winces and pats her hip, whispering to her. She's not having it. "No, I'm not going to give them time. I was worried she was in a ditch somewhere. We all were. Why would you do that? We're your friends, why didn't you come to us?"
I open my mouth to explain, or apologize, or grovel. I don't really know. But Jonas speaks first.
"She will explain when she is ready." He glares at everyone until he gets nods. "Oh, and we are getting married today."
The explosion of noise makes me wince. Jonas's shoulders hunch, but the rest of him stays calm. Everyone is asking questions, yelling over each other, and in some cases, arguing with each other about our wedding. Finally, one voice rises above them all.
"Enough," Ransom roars, banging a big fist on the table. It takes some grumbling, but everyone sits down and Jonas and I are left standing together, facing everyone. Ransom, standing at the head of the table, studies us. From somewhere further in the apartment comes a child's happy squeal. I haven't met her, but I think that's Colton's little girl Mia.
"Jonas, would you care to explain?" he finally says, eying us.
Jonas shrugs and tightens his hand on mine. Pretty sure my palms are sweating. "I have asked Janey to marry me, and she has agreed. What else is there to explain? It makes perfect sense."
Ransom's dark eyebrow raises. "It makes sense? Maybe you could lay it out for me then because it doesn't make sense to me. You left here last night to look for her. Now you've found her, and you're getting married?"
Zach's hands are clenched on the table, and Maya is leaning into him. His jaw is clenching. That little twitch in the corner of his mouth comes out when he's stressed. He's incredibly protective of Jonas, so I would imagine he doesn't like the way Ransom is talking to Jonas.
I don't like it either.
A flush rises on Jonas's neck, and he scowls at Ransom. The fingers of his left hand tap his leg. The fingers of the hand holding me are tapping too, but so minutely, I can't even see it.
But I feel it.
"Yes, we're getting married. I am not sure why I need to explain myself. I asked, and she agreed. It is simple."
Ransom exhales and rubs the back of his neck. The brothers all exchange glances. Maya smooths her hand down the back of Zach's head. The tension in the room is getting thicker. The truth is, it's not simple. I work in HR, I know this is far from simple.
"Janey," Ransom says, looking at me. "I'm not sure why you agreed to marry Jonas, but you need to know you have our protection. Whatever happens, we will be there for you. All of us. You don't need to marry Jonas."
Jonas makes a choked sound and lets go of my hand. He stands there, glaring at Ransom. Zach slides his chair out and moves to Jonas's side. I'm suddenly very alone in a room with way too many eyes on me.
"Janey, why don't we go figure out a few things," Maverick says, also rising. "You can tell me what's been going on and we'll come up with a game plan." He's the lawyer. If anyone could help, it would be him, but I still don't want to talk to him.
Ransom nods, his eyes locked on Jonas. "That's a good idea." He turns to me and gives me a small smile. "Go on, Janey, go with Mav. Maybe some of the ladies would like to go with you?”
All of this feels wrong. Jonas is way out of my league, I know that. But the way he's being treated right now feels off. There's a lot more going on here than I understand, which is unusual for me.
"No, thank you. I think I'll stay here," I say sweetly, giving him a small smile back. I like to make people happy. I like to give them what they want. But being here for Jonas is more important. So I stiffen my back, and I hold steady, despite the small tremble in my knees. Ransom’s brows rise at my refusal, but otherwise, he doesn't react.
