Violent Ends

“What the fuck have you done?” Maddox asked.

“Just a little brotherly love.” Landon winked. Gideon was already walking upstairs, and Emma followed him. The gun in her hand felt so strange, but she wasn’t giving it up.

One by one, the men and women went to Tamsin’s bedroom.

The door was open, and Charlotte held her blanket in her hand.

On the wall, Tamsin had written them all a message.

“Adios, fuckers. I’m no one’s pawn. I’m my own person, and I say fuck you.”

Emma couldn’t believe it.

“Get the guards. I want them searching the perimeter,” Maddox said.

Landon tutted. He’d followed them up. Even the Savona men were in the bedroom.

The room itself didn’t look like a girl’s. There were no personal touches.

“This is all your fault,” Charlotte said. She slapped Maddox around the face. “Always searching for something more. She’s our little girl, and you sent her away.”

Maddox caught Charlotte’s arms. “Don’t even think of blaming me.”

“Nope, you’re both in this together. Both wanted to sell your fifteen-year-old daughter. I hope you’re happy with yourself,” Landon said.

Emma let out a cry as Maddox wrapped his fingers around Landon’s neck, slamming him against the wall.

“You saw her! Why didn’t you stop her?”

Landon laughed. “Why would I help you? She’s running from you. There’s no way I’d help you. Not ever again. You lost me when you didn’t let me go to her.” Landon grabbed his father’s hands, and with a power that shocked her, removed them from around his neck, shoving Maddox away. “We’re not toys for you to play with.”

With that, Landon left. The tension in the room had shifted. It was no secret how strong Landon was.

Clearly, Maddox had forgotten.

“If you don’t have her back, the deal is off,” Paul Savona said.

“I’ll find her,” Mason said.

“You’ll stay the fuck away from my sister,” Jacob said.

“She’s mine, Jacob. The contract has been signed and sealed. I’ll bring her back, and then we’ll deal with everything else.”

Gideon watched as the Savona family left the room.

The rage Maddox felt was clear to see.

“You going to punish Landon now?” Gideon asked.

Emma stepped closer to her man as his thunderous rage directed at Gideon. She wouldn’t let anything happen to him.

“No!” Charlotte yelled the word. “What the hell is happening?”

Gideon spoke up. “You promised Tamsin she could have her own life. Find a man to fall in love with, and now you’re both selling her off as if she’s nothing. Why are you doing this?” He looked between his parents. “I don’t recognize you anymore What is going on?”

Emma noticed Charlotte and Maddox shared a look.

“Our last hit took more out of us that we’ve been able to recuperate. Our money is not speaking anymore. I’ve got to do what is necessary for this family, and that means making tough choices, regardless of if you like them.”

“Money is tight, but you’ve got a ten million reward for the man that kills you?” Jacob asked.

“You saw that, huh? I should have you to thank for that.” His gaze landed on Emma.

She wasn’t going to cower away.

“What do you mean money is tight?” Abel asked.

“Businesses closed,” Gideon said. “We lost revenue. The payment of cops to look the other way is pricey. You invested in the wrong people, and rather than come to us, you decided to do it all yourself.”

“I have to do what I need to lead this family. Savona is a good man.”

“He’s a piece of shit,” Gabriel said. “You know he fucks underage girls, right? He has a whole harem of them. He likes to pick them off of the women he brings in and sells. He gets the ones he loves. I saw the way he looked at Tamsin. Mason would be lucky to get a piece of his wife. I’m surprised he’s not negotiated for her to move in now. For her to get used to being Mason’s wife.”

Emma felt sick to her stomach.

Charlotte gasped. “Did you know this? Did he try to negotiate this?”

“Of course not.”

Emma watched as his jaw clenched. The man was desperate.

Charlotte attacked him, lashing out, screaming, and hitting. No one stopped her.

They stood back as she hit Maddox. “You said this would be good for her. That she needed this. You animal. I fucking hate you.”

Minutes passed as Charlotte stood and shook her head. “I don’t want to even look at you. Find my daughter before they do. This is over.” Charlotte rushed out of the room.

Maddox got to his feet, a bloody lip and black eye already forming.

Gideon held Emma’s hand. She was the only woman remaining in the room.

No one spoke. The pain and anger were clear to see.

“He won’t hurt her,” Maddox said.

“Mason, probably not, but his father, that’s another problem. There’s no way we’re letting Tamsin go to them,” Jacob said.

“You think you’ve got the power to overturn me. You know what is at stake, don’t you? Your very name. Your legacy. Tamsin will be going to the Savona name. I’ve already got a hundred men on their way. They’re going back to the brothels, the rings, and the casinos. We’re getting back on top.”