Page 54 of Falling for Love

“What in the ever-loving hell was that?” she asks, her face pale.

I’m sure my coloring matches hers. That was Senator Chandler Cross losing his mind, I think to myself but remain silent.

Outside the door, Chandler speaks. He’s returned to sanity of sorts and is attempting to explain to the police that this is all a misunderstanding. That he just wanted to talk to me. He insists I panicked and locked myself in the bathroom.

“And the broken glass and door in the kitchen? The blood running down your arm? Is that a misunderstanding too?” a man I assume is a police officer asks. “Hands behind your back and turn around.”

“You won’t get away with this. I’m a state senator and I have rights.”

“Yeah, last I heard, your rights were supposed to be read to you down at the station. You didn’t turn yourself in as promised, but don’t worry. Now you’ll get a private escort downtown. Nice and flashy, just how you like it.”

“Ouch!” he yells. “They’re too tight.”

“Take him out of here,” the officer says.

Holly smirks.

We listen to the sound of a scuffle outside as Chandler is taken away, berating the police and blustering about how much trouble the man will be in.

“He’s in total denial,” I say to my sister, who nods and rises off the floor.

Her lips lift and she holds up her phone. The uploaded video on a social media site is playing for the world to see. “He’s so done,” she mutters.

Smiling now, I nod.

“Ladies? Charleston P.D. It’s safe to come out now.”

Taking Holly’s hand, I turn the knob that unlocks the door and step into the hallway to deal with the fallout.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Jack

I finish my workout and take a quick shower in my hotel room. Once I’m dressed, I pick up my phone and immediately see a voicemail from Taylor. I hit play and the second I hear her panicked voice, my heart slams in my chest.

“Jack? Chandler’s here and he’s out of control! Come quick.”

I hear Chandler banging in the background and curse myself for leaving them alone in the house. I grab my valet ticket, shove shoes onto my feet, and run out the door.

Of course, I’m not the only person waiting for my car. I try to call Taylor but it goes straight to voicemail, so I pace back and forth in front of the entrance until my rental comes into sight. I’m good with directions and I’ve memorized the way to Taylor’s, so I don’t have to waste time fiddling with the GPS. I cut the twenty-minute trip down to ten, lucky I don’t get stopped for speeding on the way.

Since receiving the call, my heart has been racing in my chest, and when I turn onto her street and see the police cars, it picks up speed.

I pull up behind a cruiser, cut the engine, and step out of the car. Hearing shouting, I see Senator Cross cuffed in the back seat, yelling at the officer standing beside the front door, not paying attention to the man’s rants. Instead, his focus is across the way where the neighbors have gathered outside on the lawn, staring and no doubt wondering what happened.

I dash across the front lawn and into the house, coming to a halt when I see Taylor and Holly, each with an arm around the other, and a police officer talking to them.

“Jack!” She breaks apart from her sister and runs, slamming into me. I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her close.

“Who are you?” the police officer asks.

I meet his gaze over Taylor’s head burrowed in my chest. “Jack Dare. Taylor’s fiancé.”

Holly whips her head toward me and I wink. She blows out a long breath and nods.

“The women are fine,” he says. “Shaken up, but okay. They declined an ambulance.”

I hold out one arm and Holly walks right up to me, tucking herself against my side.