Page 67 of Knuckles

I swallow at the emotions etched on my big brother's face, and I’m speechless because I have no idea what to say to him.

As soon as he could leave home when he went into the academy, he left without looking back; he didn’t want to deal with mom or dad, or even me; he wanted to live his life, but now, suddenly, when I’m trying to do the same thing, it isn’t okay?

“You’re being a hypocrite,” I state, causing him to look up and scowl, but I shrug and remind him, “You left home as soon as you could, you barely stayed in contact. Even now, while working together, you were always distant, trying to live a life for you and not what our parents expected. Definitely not what our dad expected and now suddenly I want to live my life, no screw that, Ineedto live it after I nearly died, after I watched the man I love be shot by a man our father and evenyoutried to push me towards. You need to stop, take a step back, and allow me to hand in my badge, a badge I never even wanted to begin with, and be a supportive big brother before I knee you between your legs.”

He works his jaw and just when I think he won’t move, that I’m going to have to physically force him and show him exactly how much my boyfriend has taught me, he takes a step to the side, and I give him a small smile before walking over to the desk.Lunes smiles sadly as I place my badge and gun on the desk along with the cartridge.

“Fuck, I can’t believe you really are leaving us,” he sighs as he shakes his head before he hands me a clipboard and rasps, “Sign out for the last time, Officer Marshalls.”

My eyes tear a little, but I do as instructed before I hand him the clipboard and turn, ready to leave, only to gasp as I see my fellow officers standing on either side of the room, my brother right near the door.

A few tears fall, and I quickly wipe them away and slowly walk through the people who have helped me grow as a person, squeezing each hand before I reach my brother, who rasps, “I’m so fucking proud of you,” and I nod as I go to my tiptoes and kiss his cheek.

“Thank you, big brother,” I whisper before I look at my colleagues one last time, all looking sad but proud, and I walk out of my old workplace. Benny follows, but we both stop just as the door closes behind us to see our fricking father carting my boyfriend out of the back of his cruiser, handcuffed, and I see red.

“You have five seconds to un-cuff my boyfriend before I go back into the precinct and press charges!” I threaten, and Liam grins widely.

“Hey, baby, did you hand in your badge okay?” Liam asks as Dad stops before us, clutching my boyfriend’s arm.

I glare at Liam, whose eyes soften as he says, “You knew this was going to happen, baby, and besides, think about it, conjugal visits…”

He wags his eyebrows while my dad groans and my brother gags.

“I’d rather have that full-time, Liam!” I snap before I look at my dad, whose lip is split and bleeding, and I demand, “Uncuffmy boyfriend right now before I go and explain to the whole precinct how theirChiefsmacked his daughter, a fellow officer!”

“Fiancée,” my dad says, and I frown in confusion and ask, “Huh?”

“Fiancée, you’re going to be his fiancée, that is the only way I see you two being together. It’s the only way you’ll get my blessing. I just had to get the fucker here first before I explained what was going to happen to both of you together,” Dad explains, and my eyes widen in shock.

He, I mean…. What the hell?

“What the fuck, Dad?” Benny groans as Dad releases Liam from the cuffs. He raises an eyebrow at my father, whom I just stare at like he has lost his goddamn mind.

“What?” Dad asks as he looks between us then answers my brother, “That is the only way I’ll allow this relationship and stay in my lane is if they get married and as soon as possible, at least then I know she’s safe, that she’s being looked after.”

Oh, holy mother of…

“You couldn’t have just told me at the gym instead of arresting me?” my boyfriend asks, and I now look at him like he has lost his damn mind.

How is he not freaking out with my dad’s messed up mind right now?

“Honestly, I know how skittish you are,” Dad replies, like I’m not even here, “I deserved the punch, but you gave me an opening, so I took it.”

Liam nods like itisthe most normal conversation that they are having, and I blink, then blink again as Benny clears his throat to hide his laughter.

The ass thinks this is funny? Seriously?

Shaking my head, I address my deranged father and state, “Dad, I’m not marrying him…” but Liam cuts me off and says, “Yeah, you are, today actually,” completely shocking me andleaving me speechless, but ignoring me, he looks at my father, as I stare at my man in shock,

He what? I mean, huh?

“I already had it planned, Marshalls,” Liam admits, and I blink again as he says, “You’ve ruined the surprise.”

Surprise, he, what?

He wants to marry me.

Today?