“Peachy. You heard all of that, right?”
“I heard that they were planning to marry you off. I’m sorry.”
“Landon’s girl is dead, and because I’m female, they think they can marry me off. I hate them.”
“Tamsin,” she said.
“It’s okay for you. You’ve got my brother. I wouldn’t be surprised if Dad didn’t find some way of making that work for him as well. Even if you’re not his daughter. I’ve got to go.” Tamsin was trying not to cry, and Emma leaned against the wall, feeling helpless when it came to the two youngest Dentons. What could she do?
Landon was trapped, unless she released him.
Only, he’d try to kill himself, and she knew that.
There’s no way she could allow that to happen.
Tamsin was way too young.
There was nothing she could do.
Entering her own room, she stared at her reflection.
She wouldn’t become another cog in Maddox Denton’s life.
What could she do to help that wouldn’t play into his plans, though?
****
Landon’s pain was real, but for the rest of the Dentons that meant they still had to work. There were still brothels, underground gambling and fighting, the casino, and many other ventures that needed their attention.
As Gideon entered his home, he went to the kitchen, pouring himself a coffee. To add to all the workload, he had blue fucking balls, and it was all his fault. He was the only one to blame.
His mother sat at the counter, looking annoyed.
“Do I even want to know what’s going on?” he asked.
“We’re having a family gathering with guests in three weeks. I have a list of everything that is needed. I want you to get it for me.”
“A dinner with guests? You think Landon’s going to be ready for company that soon?” he asked.
Landon had his room completely stripped of anything personal. He wasn’t any closer to seeing people than they were of letting him go.
“It’s not for Landon,” Charlotte said.
“Who is it for?”
“Your sister,” Maddox said. “It’s all set. The contract will be signed that day.”
“You’re making a mistake with this, Maddox. You should talk to your brothers. Your father never put your sisters up for marriage.”
“More fool him,” Maddox said. “This is happening, Charlotte, whether you like it or not.”
His mother didn’t say anything more. She got to her feet and left the kitchen.
“You’re really going to do it? Bind us to another family with Tamsin? She’s fifteen.”
“Her place in this family is vital to us.”
“We’re the fucking Dentons, Dad. Did you forget that?”
“No, I haven’t. I intend to cement our legacy by whatever means is necessary. I already have another family, British, so Landon will be pleased. A young girl, a daughter to another family that is like ours, rulers of their kingdom.”
Gideon shook his head. “You’re fucking crazy.”
“I do what is needed to be done, regardless of the consequences.”
“Yeah, and without a care for who you’re hurting. You’re going to push too far, and then you’re going to have nothing.”
“Are you threatening me, boy?” Maddox asked.
Gideon smiled. “No. Just remember, Daddy, when a king becomes too cocky and cruel, there are those around that serve to overthrow him. Be careful, you’ve got seven sons now, all of whom would gladly take your place.” He paused, allowing his father to absorb what he said. “Now that is a fucking threat.”
With that, he gave his father his back, another insult, and made his way up to Emma’s bedroom. Opening the door, he paused as he saw her dressed in a bathrobe. Her hair fell around her shoulders, and she looked so sweet and vulnerable, but also sexy.
He could see she’d been nibbling her lips as they were swollen, and he’d not had the chance to kiss her today.
“Hello, beautiful,” he said, closing and locking the door.
He had no doubt there would be consequences when it came to his father. No one threatened Maddox Denton and got away with it.
It wasn’t how it was done.
However, Tamsin was too young as far as he was concerned, and Landon had just been dealt a death blow by losing his woman. He couldn’t see either of them being married off.
He didn’t think for a second that any of his brothers would agree with the plans Maddox was having.
“I was waiting for you to come home,” she said.
“You could have called me. I’d be here in a second.” He stayed by the door waiting as she got to her feet. The robe didn’t fall, as it was tied in the middle, and he wanted to see her naked.
She stepped toward him, taking his hand and walking him back toward the edge of the bed. She didn’t immediately pull away.
He watched as she licked her lips and her cheeks started to flood with warmth. They were so red.
“I didn’t mind waiting for you. Besides, I had time to prepare.”
“Prepare?”
“Yes.”
He watched as she loosened her robe and slowly released it.