Page 52 of Once Upon A Second Chance

He tsks, taking a step closer. The motion makes my stomach lurch.

"That’s no way to greet an old friend."

The scent of motor oil and cheap cologne hits me as he invades my space. My back presses against the door, the wood vibrating with Bijou’s frantic scratching.

Travis braces one hand above my head, his breath hot on my face. "See, Rebecca told me all about howDr. Hoganleft you once already." His smile makes my skin crawl. "You really think he won’t do it again?"

Somewhere down the street, a car door slams.

Travis doesn’t flinch. "I’m just looking out for you, baby. Like I always have."

The keys dig deeper. One sharp twist, and they’ll make a decent weapon.

But before I can move,headlights flood the driveway.

A familiar truck rumbles to a stop, the driver’s side door flying open before the engine even cuts.

Richard’s voice cracks through the night like a gunshot.

"Get the hell away from her."

Chapter Eleven

Richard

The second I see him—cornering her against the door, hand braced above her head, too close, too smug—I don't think.

I move.

"Get the hell away from her."

Travis turns slowly, like I'm a minor inconvenience. His smirk widens when he sees me. "Speak of the devil."

I don't care what he means. Don't care who the hell he thinks he is.

All I see is Penny—pressed against her own door, her knuckles white around her keys, Bijou's frantic barking vibrating through the wood.

The porch light catches the fear in her eyes before she masks it.

That's all it takes.

I'm between them in two strides, forcing Travis back with my body. He smells like motor oil and cheap beer, his breath hot and sour when he laughs.

"Whoa now. Just catching up with an old friend."

My hand finds his chest. "Last warning."

He glances at Penny over my shoulder, his grin turning vicious. "What? She didn't tell you about us?"

I shove. Hard.

Travis stumbles down the steps, catching himself on the railing. His eyes flash—surprise, then anger. "You got a death wish, Doc?"

"Try me."

For a heartbeat, we're frozen—him on the bottom step, me blocking Penny, the night air thick with tension. Then his shoulders relax, that smarmy smile sliding back into place.

"Whatever. She'll come crawling back when you bail again." He saunters toward his truck, tossing over his shoulder, "Enjoy my leftovers,Hogan."