Violent Ends

Rushing into the warehouse, she didn’t have to go far before she saw Gideon in the center of the warehouse. Lights were on, and she saw Gabriel, Jacob, Abel, Oliver, and Damian, along with Maddox and Stuart.

Gideon didn’t have any weapons. His face was a mess, and she saw blood on his body.

“Is that all you got, fuckers?” Gideon said.

It was her brother, Gabriel, with a bat, who swung and hit Gideon in the chest.

Without thinking, she charged toward her brother.

“Leave him the fuck alone.”

She’d taken them all by surprise, so no one stopped her as she shoved Gabriel hard. Being a Colton, Gabriel had trained her a little. She jumped onto his back, wrapping her arm around his neck and holding on tight.

She distracted him enough to drop the bat, but he threw her off.

This, she was used to. On the ground with the bat, she picked it up and stared at her brother.

The monster the Dentons didn’t know about was right there, staring back at her.

Standing in front of Gideon, she glared at Gabriel, aware of the change of tension within the warehouse.

“You’re not supposed to be here,” Gabriel said.

“Oops, you know how our sis is,” Owen said as he and Wyatt entered the warehouse.

She gripped the bat tightly, staring at Gabriel, not letting down her guard.

“You should leave,” Gideon said.

“Not happening.”

“Emma,” he said.

“Shut the fuck up, Gideon. I’m not leaving you.” She stood in front of her man, keeping Gabriel in her sight. Even as he moved, she stepped to cover his target. He wasn’t getting to Gideon, not unless he hurt her.

He could do it, but with Owen and Wyatt here he wouldn’t be able to do it for long.

“This is family business, Miss Colton. You need to leave,” Maddox said.

“What I see is a bunch of fucking cowards hurting one man. You didn’t even give him a weapon. Such brave men. I wonder how your women can even look at you.” She knew it was a low blow. “I wonder what Lou would say.” That was for Jacob. “Or Harper, I wonder what she’d think.” That was to Abel. “What about Ruby? Knowing what you’re doing.” She glanced over at Oliver. “I thought Mia had better taste, but I guess she doesn’t know the truth.”

“You going to throw shit at me?” Gabriel asked.

She turned toward her brother. “Don’t worry, brother dearest. I already know what a piece of shit you are. You forget, I grew up with you. I know what I’m dealing with.” Staring at all the men, she laughed, but it wasn’t from humor. She was disgusted by what she saw. “You think you’re good men because you’re Dentons. You’re no better than a Colton.” She threw the bat at the Gabriel. “Landon’s hurting, and all you want him to do is get over it. I wonder if you’d handle it any better if any of your women were taken from her. Maybe one day, you’ll all get a taste of your own medicine.”

“Emma,” Owen said. The warning was clear.

She was crossing a line.

“No! Enough! I said fucking enough!” She stepped up to Gabriel. “You want to be a Denton, be one. Gladly. I remember where I come from.” She moved around him and went right up to Maddox Denton. “I’ve been a Colton from the very beginning. I’ve not changed who I am. You want to hurt my man, then fine, hurt him, but I swear to you, right now, right here, in front of everyone, I will hurt you back.”

“You think you scare me, little girl? You don’t have a clue who you’re dealing with.”

She smiled. “And neither do you, Maddox Denton. I know a great deal. You see, daddy-in-law, I’m your son’s woman, and what I noticed about all men in this room is none of you pay attention to the women. I have secrets. I know more about you and your family than I ever should, but that’s what I do. That’s what my dad knew I could do. I have a way of blending. Hurt me. Kill me. I dare you because I will make sure you will never forget that moment you betray me. You think I’m a little girl. I’m a nice girl, and I know how to make plans. Seeing the way Landon has turned out, it’ll be quite easy to snuff the life out of every single woman you all have.”

Her father had once told her, while he’d been drunk of course, the best way to deal with a predator was to stare him in the eye, to not back down, and to wait for them to break eye contact. You know you’ve won.

Right now, she couldn’t believe she was threatening Maddox Denton. He was a fucking force to be reckoned with.

The thing was, Owen and Wyatt would avenge her. They would do what she asked. They were Coltons. United together.