The Bachelor Auction(91)

Jane sighed and shook her head. “Give us a minute?”

Brock nodded as Jane walked away with her sisters. His grandfather tried to gain the attention of the crowd again, but everyone was fixated on the corner where Jane was currently talking to both sisters, her hands animated and in the air.

Sighing, he started to make his way over to her when Essence slapped Jane across the face.

Esmeralda cupped her hands over her mouth in shock.

Essence looked shocked as well.

Jane cupped her face with the palm of her hand.

Brock was at her side in seconds. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”

“I-I think so.” She frowned at Essence. “You slapped me!”

“I’m sorry, I…” Tears filled Essence’s eyes.

Jealousy was an ugly thing.

Her sisters stood frozen in place while Jane stared down at the ground, her hand still covering her cheek. “I don’t want to see you guys again.”

Essence shook her head. “I didn’t mean it, I didn’t mean to I just—”

“Leave.” Jane’s hand fell from her face. “Or I’ll have security escort you out. And the last thing you want is to be even more embarrassed than you already are.”

“But,” Esmeralda gaped. “We’re family! Family sticks together, you’ve always said that!”

“And I’ve always been the glue that kept us together. Do you realize how exhausting it is taking care of you guys? I love you but I’m not your maid.”

Brock wanted to applaud.

“Could have fooled me,” Essence said under her breath.

Brock had had enough. He motioned for security. Within minutes they were at the girls’ sides, escorting them out amidst screaming and name-calling.

If anyone wondered who the crazy one was they didn’t need to look any further than Jane’s sisters.

Jane stood there, calmly taking it all in.

“Would the winner of Brock Wellington please come to the stage immediately.” Grandfather said into the microphone.

“I choose you.” Brock whispered in Jane’s ear. “I will always choose you.”

He didn’t want to release her, but he knew his grandfather was most likely trying to do damage control; he just wasn’t sure how he was going to accomplish it.

Slowly, Jane walked up the stairs to the stage, head held high. Brock followed close behind.

The minute Jane was on the stage, Grandfather grabbed her hand and kissed it.

What the hell?

“This woman, right here”—his grandfather shook his head—“turned down a million dollars to stay away from my grandson.”

Brock beamed with pride.

“She’s also responsible for the very first real smile I’ve seen on my grandson’s face since he was twelve.”

Emotion welled in Brock’s throat.

Grandfather’s eyes started to tear up. “If all I knew were those two truths, it would be enough.” He nodded to Nadine. “Titus Enterprises was always going to sponsor a woman of their choosing in order to partner with the charity—the fact that they chose Jane just proves how smart it was for us to partner with them in the first place. A woman who would turn down money rather than never see my grandson again is a good pick. I’m proud to say that the first Bachelor Auction has been a resounding success.”

Stunned, Brock watched as Grandfather pulled Jane in for a hug and then whispered out of the side of his mouth, “Check Mate.”

Brock stared at him, confused. “I’m sorry; what?”

“Did you really think you could involve Nadine Titus and not your own grandfather?”

Brock’s mouth dropped open in shock. “But she said she wouldn’t involve you; she said—”

“That woman.” Grandfather shook his head. “Don’t trust her as far as you can throw her. But, we’ll talk later. What’s important is you finally understand that I never wanted you to marry someone I chose. Hell, if that were the case you’d be stuck with someone like that.” Nadine was pouring more wine into her glass while trying to talk on her phone and pull lipstick out of her purse.

“But all those conversations, the threat of the auction…” Brock nodded. “I still don’t understand.”

“Though,” his grandfather seemed to say as an afterthought, “I nearly did have a stroke when I saw four more names on the card—it does me proud that you’d throw your own brothers under the bus for charity—and that they’d agree to do it because they know how much you love her.” His lips twitched. “Your grandmother would roll in her grave if she knew how badly I’d hurt you. It seems we need to have a very long talk, son, but for now…” He motioned back to the auction and grabbed the microphone. “Now that we have that settled, shall we dance?”