Brooke held her breath. Who was arrested? The only person that she could think of was Snakes, since Justin and Brad had talked about him.
Suddenly, an outburst of obscenities erupted from her uncle’s mouth. Nothing she hadn’t heard before, although he sounded angrier than she’d ever heard him. He paced up and down the hallway, but he luckily never came into the study.
Then, everything went quiet. She held her breath. He was coming in. She just knew it.
Out of nowhere, came another voice joining Uncle Tony’s. Her uncle’s voice didn’t seem as angry, but his tone of voice was still short and snippy. When she heard the other voice again, her heart sank.
No, that couldn’t be right. She was hearing things.
She tiptoed to the door again and listened closely. Pain squeezed her heart and tears stung her eyes. What was Justin doing here?
Her mind whirled with ideas of what she could do to help him, none of them making any sense. But really, what could she do? Justin was already here – and talking to Uncle Tony. Why?
She had a sinking feeling nothing would work out the way they’d planned. However, if Justin wasn’t marrying Robin, would her uncle still want him dead?
* * * *
JUSTIN FACED ONE OFhis biggest fears. He had to in order to protect Brooke. And also, to prove to himself that he wasn’t afraid of anyone.
Silently, Justin met Tony’s heated glare as seconds ticked away. Slowly, Tony slid his cell phone back into his jacket pocket. The chubby man’s face was still red with anger after the startling phone call he had received telling him Snakes had been arrested and would be deported. When Justin had entered the house, he’d overheard Tony’s temper exploding. The man was headed toward his study. Justin had to stop him, and the only way he could do that was to make the older man notice him.
Slowly, Tony folded his arms. His gaze narrowed on Justin.
“So, you want to talk, do you?” Tony sneered. “Don’t you think it’s a little late for that?”
“It’s never too late to try and smooth out the confusion in everyone’s mind.”
Tony shrugged. “What should I be confused about? The man who was going to marry my daughter left her before the church rehearsal.” He rubbed his whiskery chin. “It’s been two days. I thought you would have skipped the country by now like the coward you are.”
“I’m not a coward, which is why I’m here to talk to you.”
“Me? What about my daughter?”
“I’ve already spoken with Robin. I told her I’m not in love with her.”
Tony gave a forced laugh and rolled his eyes. “If you weren’t in love with my daughter, then why arrange a marriage?”
“You’ll have to ask my mother that. She did everything. She even bought the engagement ring and booked the restaurant where I proposed to Robin.”
“Are you saying this is your mother’s fault?”
Sighing, Justin folded his arms. “No. It was my fault for allowing my mother to run my life. It was my fault for being so busy with my father’s oil company that I didn’t realize what she was doing. However, it was entirely my decision to leave the church. I finally realized that I needed to be alone to think. My world felt like it was crumbling around me, and I couldn’t breathe. I left to go to a mountain retreat for some peace and quiet.” He paused, but only briefly. “Mr. Pierpont, I’m truly sorry for any embarrassment I caused, and I take full responsibility. Tell me what you want me to do to make it up to you and Robin, and I will.”
The other man’s jaw hardened. “I want you to marry my daughter.”
Justin was shocked speechless. Why did Robin’s father want him dead? Was it just so that Robin would be richer and taken care of for the rest of her life? “I’m sorry, sir, but I’m not going to marry a woman I don’t respect or love.”
Growling, Tony marched toward him. Justin slid his hands in his coat pockets. His right hand clutched the gun he’d brought with him... just in case.
Tony stopped inches away from him. “You are an idiot, then.”
“An idiot? For thinking your daughter is a spoiled brat who has her nose so far up her butt that she can’t see how rude she is to other people?” Justin shook his head. “No, I’m not an idiot.Youare for thinking she’ll find a good husband who will look past all her faults.”
A vein on Tony’s neck swelled and beat faster. “How dare you insult a Pierpont?”
Justin shrugged. “Sorry, but I couldn’t help it. She disgusts me... as does her father.”
“Get out,” Tony sneered, pointing toward the door. “I don’t need to stand here and take your insults.”
