“No!” I claw at Beck’s arm.
He doesn’t let up, and I eventually stop fighting when Rome takes my place in front of his stepbrother. His fists are flexed by his sides, and he shakes his head, but I can’t hear what he’s saying.
Then comes Lucas.
He walks slowly and takes in the scattered debris and wreckage.
The longer I watch him assess the scene, the less angry I am and the more worried I become.
Noah.
Dad’s heart.
Our family.
Vanstone.
“Oh, shit,” Beck mutters in my ear.
His arm loosens, and my feet touch the ground.
“Rome,” Van warns.
Time stops.
Beau remains beside his stepbrother, and they appear like a team instead of enemies.
Lucas stands feet away with his arms crossed. There isn’t a single word muttered. Lucas stares at Rome, shifts to Beau, raises an eyebrow, and then looks back to Rome.
I know a challenge when I see one, and everyone knows that Rome Pierce accepts every challenge thrown his way.
Even when it comes to me.
His steps are calculated, each one heavier than the last.
“What is he doing?” Beck whispers.
“Causing issues,” Van snaps.
I slowly gaze around the open area, and everyone is at a standstill with the cameras rolling.
It was pure chaos earlier, and now it’s eerily calm. There’s no breeze whipping around us or reporters coming to assess the wreckage. It’s Rome and his father at the center of everyone’s attention.
I read Lucas’s lips easily. “Think before you act.”
Rome glances over his shoulder at me.
Our eyes lock.
“I love you,” he mouths.
Beck’s voice comes through like a thought in the back of my head. “Did he just say what I think he did–”
One moment, Lucas is standing in front of his son, and the next, he’s stumbling backward away from Rome and his fist.
“The FIA will not tolerate–” Rome swings on him again, ending the threat right then and there. He goes in for more, and suddenly, I can’t breathe.
Graham runs over with Dylan. They hold Rome back, who only thrashes a few more times before he towers over his bloody-nosed father.
