The Protector (Game of Chance, #1)(91)

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world. I’m pretty sure I can take a weekend trip back here without an issue, if it comes to that.”

“Good.”

“I’m happy for you,” Cal said. “Carlise is one of the good ones. Don’t let her go.”

“Not planning on it,” Chappy said firmly.

Cal nodded. “All right. Let me know how she gets on. I’m headed out in the morning.”

“Cal?”

“Yeah, mate?”

Chappy wasn’t usually one to butt into his friends’ personal business, and he never would’ve even considered saying what he was about to say before he’d met Carlise . . . but meeting the woman who he knew down to his bones was meant for him had changed things. Changed him. He wanted to see all of his friends just as happy and content. “Keep an open mind.”

“About what?” Cal asked, frowning.

“Women.”

Cal rolled his eyes. “Here we go,” he muttered.

“I’m serious. I’d written off getting married and having a family. I mean, we live out here in the middle of nowhere. There aren’t exactly a lot of choices when it comes to dating. But then Carlise appeared as if she was destined to be here. All I’m saying is, don’t ignore what’s right in front of you. I feel as if we have a split second in life to recognize our other halves, and if we ignore that pull, discard the feeling, it’ll never come back.”

“No one’s gonna look twice at me, Chappy,” Cal said. “They want the fairy tale. The handsome billionaire prince—and we both know I’m anything but.”

“You’re one of the best men I know,” Chappy said soberly. “Money isn’t everything. Neither is being famous or having smooth skin. I value your loyalty. Your strength. Your steadfastness. And I know there’s someone out there for you.”

“She’s not going to appear in the woods like some kind of nymph, like Carlise did for you. I’m okay with being single. Not everyone wants to be married and have kids.”

Chappy knew deep down his friend was lying. Cal wanted that as much as, or more than, he did. He just wasn’t willing to admit it because he was afraid he’d never find the right woman. It was easier to pretend not to care when in reality, he cared all too much.

“Be safe,” Chappy said after a moment, knowing Cal wasn’t willing to listen to him any longer.

“I will.”

“You know if you need to bring this chick back to Newton, you can. We’ll all help out.”

“I appreciate it. I’ll let you know once I get the lay of the land. I guess the woman is some kind of model. She lives with her sister and mother. I need to see what the actual situation is before I decide the best course of action.”

“Are the sister and mother in trouble too?” Chappy asked.

Cal shrugged. “No clue.”

“All right, do what you need to do and get your ass back here. Don’t think we’re gonna let you off the hook for your shifts. The trees around here won’t cut themselves.”

Cal chuckled, and Chappy was glad to see it.

“Right. And you’re gonna be busy with your new wife, yeah?”

“Damn straight,” Chappy agreed.

“I really am glad she’s all right.”

“Me too. And call us, Cal. I’m serious,” Chappy said sternly.

“Yes, Mom.”

They both chuckled. “That’s JJ’s title,” he told him.

Cal nodded, then clapped him on the back before heading back into the living room.

Chappy watched as Carlise stood up and headed his way. “You need help with the drinks?” she asked.

“No, I’ve got them, sweetheart. How are you feeling?”

“I’m good,” she said. “I heard some of your conversation with Cal. He’s leaving?”

“Yeah.”

“He’s gonna find his Cinderella,” she sighed as she leaned into Chappy.

“What?”

“He’s gonna come back with his Cinderella. I just know it,” Carlise said. Then she straightened, kissed his cheek, and went back into the other room to continue the game.

She constantly amazed him. It was obvious she was keeping an eye on him as much as he was on her. It felt good to be looked after. He wasn’t sure why she was so certain Cal would find someone, but he hoped to hell she was right. He deserved to find a woman who loved him for who he was, rather than for his title or how much money he had in the bank or how he looked.

“You afraid to get your butt kicked?” Bob called out. “Get over here, Chappy, so I can crush you with my Uno skills!”

Chappy grinned and balanced the cans of Coke he’d taken out of the refrigerator, making his way back to his friends. As he sat next to Carlise and passed out the soft drinks, he couldn’t help but say a silent thanks for his friends and his woman. He was definitely a lucky son of a bitch, and he had no plans to ever lose his newfound happiness.



Juniper Rose ran a hand over her sweaty forehead and inspected the freshly mopped floor with satisfaction. She’d been busy all day, preparing for the member of the Liechtensteiner royal family who would be coming soon. She wasn’t exactly sure what was going on, since her stepmom and stepsister never told her anything, but from what she could glean from their whispered conversations, Carla, her stepsister, had told a friend she’d met online that she was being harassed and threatened.