Violent Ends

Wherever she went, they went.

Entering the café, he pretended not to notice her. He went straight to the counter, ordering a coffee. She still hadn’t looked up by the time he got his coffee. It would be rude of him to sit all by himself.

“Well, well, well, if it’s not Emma Colton, all alone in the big bad world.”

She let out a little squeal and a jump.

“Gideon, you scared me. What are you doing here?” she asked, gathering her books into a neat pile.

He saw the cover of the first book. It was some kind of tourist guide for England.

“Working late. I needed some coffee. You know, same old, same old.”

“What brings you here? You’re not going to do anything dangerous here, are you?”

He laughed. “Yeah, I’m going to sit opposite a crazy person, drink my coffee, and pretend I know what the fuck she’s talking about.” He pulled out a chair and sat down. “You planning on going on a little vacation?” He pointed at the books.

Her cheeks heated. “No. It’s nothing.”

“You read travel books for fun? I know Landon loves going to London, but then, he also has a girl there, so we’re all good.”

“Erm, I don’t … what?”

“If you ever want to talk about London. Going for a visit. I’ve got an uncle there.”

“It’s not about visiting actually.”

He watched as she looked out of the window, and he saw her biting her lip. “I’m wanting to move.”

Okay, that wasn’t what he was expecting.

“Move?”

“Yeah, away from all of this. I know that my brother is part of this life with you guys, and I’m happy for him. Me, I’m just a girl, and I want to live just an ordinary life. Away from the city. I was … I was hoping if I went to your dad I’d be able to explain it better. Especially if I had a plan in place. You know, a job, and stuff like that.”

“Your name still brings lots of enemies.”

“I want to change my name. Obviously, keep Emma, but you know, I don’t have to remain a Colton. What do you think?”

That he was well and truly fucked because she looked so happy about it.

Chapter Two

Gideon always seemed to be in the right place at the right time when she needed him. Emma smiled across the table, waiting for an answer. He didn’t look at her like she’d lost her mind, so that was a plus. She didn’t know what else to say as she waited for him, sipping her milkshake as she did.

He ran a finger across his lip and took a large gulp of his steaming hot coffee.

“We’re talking moving away forever, right?”

She nodded. “A fresh start.”

“Do you mind me asking why?”

“Because this isn’t the place I want to be. I think there’s a chance for me to get out of here. You know, to not have to worry about everything else, and I want to take it. I don’t want to be working for your father for the rest of my life, or waiting for someone. I just want to be free. That’s what I want.”

“You want to be free?” he asked.

“I know it sounds bad. I’m grateful for all that you’ve done.”

“You just don’t want to be here anymore?”

“It’s not about that.” She glanced toward the books. He didn’t get it. She didn’t think he would. If he didn’t though, she doubted her brothers would. They were all about banding together.

Didn’t they get it?

They had a place within this new family.

She didn’t.

Sure, she hung out with the wives, and Charlotte, and even Tamsin. She hated to think about it, but out of all of the women, Tamsin was the only one she felt any real connection to. The youngest Denton seemed to get it. She had a clue. No one else did though.

“Forget it. It’s nothing.”

“It’s not nothing. You really care about this stuff.”

“It’s more than just this stuff.”

“Emma, talk to me. You want out of the city or out of the Denton life?”

“Both,” she said. “Look, what you and your family have done for me is amazing. Honestly, I really appreciate it, but this is not the life I ever wanted, and now I’ve got a chance and I want to take it.”

“Have you talked about this with your brothers?”

“Not yet. I know there’s a lot to work through, and I don’t have everything figured out yet.”

“How soon are you wanting to do this?” Gideon asked.

“Within the next couple of months.” She hadn’t thought about it that much. It had been a passing fancy, but now that she was actually considering it, really thinking about it, she couldn’t bring herself to stop. Would it be so bad to do this, to have a plan, to finally leave all of this behind?

She wanted to go, and the more she thought about it, the happier it made her feel.