One Chance (Hogan Brothers 1)

“Why’s that, you snotty brat?” She was downright belligerent now.

“Because if it weren’t for me, you’d be treated like a common criminal instead of a human being.”

Her words left their intended mark as Rebecca started screaming obscenities at them when they walked out. The door slammed shut behind them.

“Take me home,” she whispered to him, grabbing his hand with a tight grip.

Sophia hadn’t known what to expect when she requested the meeting with her mother. The woman looked ill, like a disease was swallowing her whole, and in a way, she supposed it was. She couldn’t drink away her pain anymore.

“Why didn’t she mention Elianna?” she wondered aloud. She’d asked point blank why Rebecca had done what she did, figuring she’d throw it in her face about having a sister and not knowing her. It would have been a chance for her to hurt Sophia. The thought that Rebecca was trying to protect her from that particular surprise had crossed her mind. But it was unlikely, so she had to wonder about her motivation.

“I don’t know, baby.” Nox was still holding her hand as they drove.

The following silence drew her in as the movement from the car swayed her into a light slumber. In passing, she wondered why they weren’t home already, and when had they left the city? Trusting Nox, she knew he wouldn’t steer her wrong with whatever he had planned.

The slamming of a door woke Sophia from her impromptu nap as she watched Nox round the hood of his car. Searching her surroundings, she saw only one other vehicle in the small parking lot of what she recognized as the park he’d taken her to on their first date.

“Hey baby,” he murmured opening her door. “How do you feel?” His fingers traced her cheek as he spoke, and she loved the feeling of him touching her.

“Better. Why are we here?” She was beyond puzzled.

“I love you, Sophia, so fucking much. I know you’re not ready to say it back, and that’s okay.” Her head tilted because even though he said it, he also sounded slightly panicked. “I brought you here to meet someone.”

“Who?” she asked warily.

“Me,” a perky voice said from behind him. Looking over his shoulder, Sophia saw a woman who was the polar opposite of her—tall, skinny, light red hair, tattoos on each arm and along her legs. The one thing she did recognize was the eyes. It was like staring at her own reflection.

Soph’s gaze flew to Nox’s in surprise. This was her. Her sister. Elianna.

Clearing her throat, she stood, wiping her suddenly clammy hands on her dress before saying, “Hi, I’m– “

“Sophia, I know.” The woman glowed. “I’m Elianna. And after seeing your eyes and little upturn of your lip, yeah we’re definitely sisters.” She smiled, a real, genuine, happy to meet Sophia smile.

“Hi,” Soph murmured again. Completely speechless.

“You said that,” Elianna laughed.

Looking back at Nox, he was grinning like a fool as tears misted Sophia’s eyes. “Thank you,” she mouthed to him.

He stepped forward, wrapping one hand around her neck and bringing her in for a kiss, as he growled, “You’re welcome,” against her mouth. Nipping her bottom lip, he let her go.

“God, you two are disgustingly cute,” Elianna told them bluntly, a smirk on her lips.

“I don’t know what to do here,” Soph admitted.

“Wouldn’t expect you to, so let’s start with the basics, shall we?” Soph nodded at her question. “I’m the big sister, so you need to listen while I impart this perfect piece of wisdom on you, got it?”

“Uh, yeah, sure,” she stuttered, thrown off balance by the other woman’s confidence.

“Tell the damn man you love him, too. He’s a keeper.” She crossed her arms and tapped her foot as if to say get to it, girl.

Turning once again to Nox, the fool had a grin on his face the size of the equator. Pointing to her, he laughed. “I’m going to like her.”

“She’s right, though,” Soph said softly. “I’ve loved you from the moment I first saw you. The way your back muscles rippled, the way your arms flexed. The rough timber in your voice. Your light blue eyes, clear as the sky, I loved it all. I love you, Lennox Hogan.”

He pulled her to him again, picking her up and spinning her around, so she was sitting on the roof of his car this time. Her hands went directly to his hair, playing with the soft, short strands. “I know you do, Soph. Never doubted it for a second.” His belief in her consistently left her feeling amazed that she was so lucky to have him in her life.

“Seriously disgusting,” Elianna mumbled behind them. Walking closer, she leaned against Nox’s car, one finger playing with the hem of Soph’s dress. “Tell me something. You really own your own shop?”