“It’s true.”
“Why didn’t you tell me before?”
“You wouldn’t have believed it. I proved myself to Penny. What could I have possibly done to change your mind? From your perspective, I’m a chaotic psychopath that enjoys strangling college girls for fun.”
He grimaced and looked away. So I wasn’t far off from the truth. “You still should’ve tried.”
“Well, here we are. Are going to believe me and your sister? Or are you going to play the good Oligarch and try to stop this?” I moved closer, rage rolling off me in waves. Fuck this guy and fuck what he wanted. Darren was too late. He couldn’t show up at the last second and insert himself into my business—not when I was so close.
He met my eye with a dangerous edge in his smile. “I haven’t decided.”
“Where’s your little friend, Roman? I assume he’s nearby. Probably flanking my men as we speak.”
“More or less. You should’ve said something, Kaspar. We could’ve come together on this. You know I want to protect my family.”
“I also know you want to avoid a full-scale war.”
“You don’t?”
“I want revenge for what Maeve did to your sister. That woman is dangerous. Once she’s gone, I’ll deal with the fallout.”
Darren studied me. His was all business now. I took some breaths to temper my rage but it hardened me and made the world clear. I could reach him in two steps and have my gun out in three. I could blow his head off and end him right now, send his family into chaos.
Penny would never forgive me. Murdering Alice to save her life was one thing, but killing her brother for being in my way was another.
I wouldn’t do anything that might upset her.
“I’m sorry, Kaspar. This has to stop here. Let’s go inside and find Maeve. We can talk and—”
“There’s no more talking. If you won’t stand aside, I will move you.”
He didn’t back down. His hand drifted to his belt. The bastard was going to draw on me.
I’d kill him first. Or shoot him in the kneecap. Disable him, but spare his worthless life. Penny would be angry, but she could get over that.
Bastard. I hated this. I wanted Maeve more than anything in the world and Darren was standing in my way. He had no clue what was going on here.
“Stop it, both of you.”
I looked over, surprised. Darren seemed just as shocked.
Penny strode over, looking annoyed.
“Get back in the car,” I barked.
She ignored me. “What are you doing here?”
“I told you, if I heard Kaspar was going to move in, I’d show up. I stayed away as long as I could.”
She grunted in annoyance. Something loosened inside of me.
She’d called him for me. She’d tried to talk him into staying on the sidelines.
God damn, the girl really cared.
“Go home, Darren. This isn’t your fight.”
He glared at his sister. “You don’t get to give me orders, Pen. I’m the head of the Servant family. I get to—”
“I’m not one of your little underlings.” She was fierce, her rage burning bright.
She’d never been so beautiful before. She stalked forward, hands balled into fists, and I thought she might punch her brother in the face.
I’d let it happen.
“I didn’t say you were.” He was equally angry.
“Then stop treating me like you can order me to do whatever you want. I’m sick of Darren the Oligarch. I’m talking to Darren my brother, and I want you to go the hell home.”
He opened his mouth then snapped it shut, jaw working. “You were serious. Kaspar really did save your life.”
She let out a frustrated laugh. “You didn’t believe me.”
“I was skeptical. Can you blame me? You call out of nowhere and make these convenient claims.”
“None of this is convenient.” She raged still and came closer. “You think I wanted any of this? You’ve treated me like a puppy dog, like I’m not housebroken yet. All of you ignore me like I’m not worth the time. Even after Livvie died, do you remember asking if I was okay?”
“Nobody was okay after that.” He voice was cold and dead.
“I asked you. I asked Erin. I asked everyone, because I’m Penny and that’s what I do. But nobody cared to ask me. You still look at me like I’m the little sister, but I’m tired of it. I’m free of you now, Darren. So please, get the hell away and let Kaspar do his job.”
Darren glanced at me then back at her. “No. We’ll talk about this later.”
“I’m going to marry him.”
The words left her mouth like a cannon shot.
My jaw dropped and my world went still.
Marry me. She was going to marry me.
It was real. She’d really do it.
Excitement and joy blossomed in my chest. I felt like I was being born all over again. The world was brand new, and it all centered around her.