Chapter 176
Lake:
At first, my eyes widened with shock, but soon, the warmth that rose from my stomach and spread to every part of my skin allowed me melt into her kiss. It was short and sensual, but it could easily pass as the best thing that had happened to me in a long time.
She broke the kiss almost immediately. I could tell she had kissed me on impulse, but it did not make it any less memorable. When she pulled herself away from me, her cheeks were red hot and rosy. She blushed and turned away from me. Something in my heart lit up, and in that moment, I knew that I wanted to make her happy for the rest of my life. I knew that I would never allow anything or anyone to hurt her or my child. I knew, that for the first time in my life, I was willing to fight to keep something, I was willing to fight for her, for us.
And that had to begin with going back to Rush and putting my father in his place. I could not sit back and watch the man do as he like. I was no longer going to allow him pose a threat to Jojo and everyone that she loved. His tyranny had to stop, he had to stop.
She pulled the car door open and entered into the car without another word. I wondered if she felt embarrassed, I really hoped not. I was going to tell her my plan to leave, and I had to do it now, because I wanted to be in Rush pack by this time tomorrow. I needed to be there before my father got the chance to do any harm.
I walked over to my side of the car, the driver's seat, and pulled the door open. I saw Jojo look at me as I settled into the driver's seat. I kept my eyes on the dashboard in front of me, thinking of the best way to start what I wanted to say. I truly hoped she would understand the urgency of everything.
"There's something you want to say, alpha. You can say it. I won't be hurt, I promise." She blurted out, as though she had accurately and skillfully read my mind.
I heaved a long sigh and fixed my gaze on her. Her green eyes sparkled with curiousity, but the warmth and softness in them told me that she would be understanding, or at least, she would try.
"I'm going back to Rush," I started.
Just as I expected, she shifted uncomfortably in her seat. I had to get all the words I needed to say off my chest before she started to speak.
"Listen, Jo. I can't... I can't allow my father to continue in this path. He needs to know that he does not have the upper hand and he cannot continue threatening to wreck havoc in the live of the..." I paused. I could not believe the words that were about to leave my mouth.
She arched a brow at me, waiting for the rest of my statement. But there was no way I was going to finish it. This was neither the time, nor place for such a confession, or the conversation that was bound to follow.
"I am going to come with you." She replied, leaning closer to me.
I shifted backwards to take a closer look at her. Did she have any idea what she was talking about. My eyes narrowed on her of their own accord and I was ready to say a loud and heavy "no" when she continued to speak.
"Listen, alpha Lake. I am going to come with you because I cannot bear anything happening to my mother. Nor will I be able to cope with the panic and anxiety of being far away from her not knowing what's happening and what is not. Valerie and I went through a lot just to have our mother back, we cannot lose her again, we just can't."
One thing was certain when I watched and heard her speak; Jojo was not going to listen to me, or change her mind so easily. It was not something I had to do with force. I had to persuade her to trust that I could handle everything. Bringing Lucian to Rush was walking into the devil's trap, I couldn't do that to them, to her.
"Jojo, listen. Coming to Rush with Valerie and Lucian would be very dangerous. You would be walking straight into the lion's den. I... I cannot allow that to happen, Jojo. You need to.. " I stretched my right hand to her and placed it on her thighs. I allowed my hand travel to her left knee and I squeezed it gently.
Her gaze fell to my hand and lingered there. The stubborness in her gaze had been replaced with meekness and reason. I decided to speak before she switched up. "Look at me, Jojo." I spoke softly.
She took her time, but her gaze eventually traveled up to meet mine.
"I need you to trust me. I need you to know and believe that I can never let any harm of any sort come to you, Jo. Please."
By the goddess, I was really hoping my plea would not fall on deaf ears. She placed her right hand on mine and tapped it gently, while her eyes stared deep into mine.
"I trust you, alpha Lake. And that is why I am coming to Rush pack with you. I am not afraid, because you have asked me not be."
Dang!
I withdrew my hand and gripped the steering wheel. Fuck!
I had shot myself in my own fucking foot. Nothing I said after that could dissuade her, and I knew in my heart that I could not outsmart Jojo by leaving for Rush without her. She would only end up coming on her own, and that was bound to put her in more danger.
Alas, I surrendered to her. I was going to let her come to Rush with me, and I knew she was going to bring Valerie and Lucian along.
The drive back home was silent. We met a short traffic on the way back home, but we were able to go through it in a short time.
Mel, Valerie and my mother were at the house when we arrived. I called my mother to the kitchen and told her my plan to leave, I also let her know that Jojo was bringing Valerie.
Surprisingly, she did not protest. She said she had known Jojo would want to come with me. The girl was a stubborn girl who never gave up on anything, and she was more than willing to fight for those that she loved.
"Just make sure you fly back tonight. It's important to get to Rush when there won't be anyone to keep tabs or eyes on you. If you leave tonight, you would arrive at Rush from 10pm to 12am, depending on the traffic. It's safer that way." My mother spoke, before she gulped down a glass of lukewarm water.
I had to admit she did have a very good and solid point. I thanked her with a kiss on her cheek and made my way to the living room.
I had to tell Jojo we were leaving tonight, and I had to call Kenji and Bec to put my house in order.
My father was yet to see the worst of me. He had pushed me to the wall so hard, and now... now I was going to push back.