Violent Ends

Slowly, Maddox Denton died.

When it was over, Landon got to his feet and stared at each of them. None of them were angry.

Their father had done the unspeakable. He’d killed one of their women, and he had to pay the price no matter what.

Chapter Fourteen

One month later

Landon disappeared.

Emma knew what had happened, and she also knew what Gideon had told her. Without a body, no bounty could be claimed. He and his brothers burned the warehouse to the ground, setting his body on fire after they had rid any chance of evidence, teeth crushed, nothing that could come back to them. To the outside world, Maddox had disappeared as well, escaped the hell that he’d started.

Emma looked out over the beach, taking a sip of her coffee. Gideon would be arriving any moment, and they were going to have their honeymoon.

Since Maddox’s disappearance, Jacob had taken the throne. He’d been the one in charge of making deals, of having to come up with a solution for Savona and Castillo.

Gideon worked tirelessly to make sure his brother was protected.

Owen and Wyatt became part of the close fold of Dentons. They worked to help build up what Maddox had nearly destroyed.

“You look very deep in thought there.”

She turned to see Gabriel leaning against the rail, staring at her. Her brother looked laid back, relaxed, happy almost.

“I’m surprised to see you here,” she said.

She’d rarely seen Gabriel in the last few weeks. He’d been busy with helping Jacob with the running of things.

“Why? I wanted to come and see you. This is your honeymoon, and I’ve not been able to say anything to you. I wanted to clear the air between us. I know you’ve been angry with me.”

“You abandoned us, Gabriel. We were supposed to be a team.”

“We are. I couldn’t let anything happen to you or to Owen and Wyatt. I didn’t trust Denton at all. I had to focus on them, Emma. I didn’t leave you. When Gideon made his claim, I didn’t like it. I didn’t want him hurting you anymore than you already had been. I wanted you to have a different life, but I couldn’t give it to you. I saw the way he looked at you, and then of course, I saw how you looked at him. You loved him, and I couldn’t get between that.”

“I do,” she said. She hadn’t told Gideon the truth yet. Soon, she’d tell him soon. With everything that happened with his dad, she really didn’t want to distract him. Enemies were always lurking, and seeing as they were finally getting their honeymoon, she hoped to tell him soon.

“You’re my sister, Emma. No matter what.”

“Were you plotting Maddox’s downfall?” she asked. “I know you didn’t want him in power.”

“I saw the madness he intended to do. I didn’t realize the full extent of it otherwise I would have put a stop to it. No one should have to lose their life for the needs of another.”

She thought about poor Sarah. The girl didn’t deserve to die, but she’d been nothing more than a pawn in the way for Maddox Denton.

With Tamsin gone and Maddox dead, Charlotte had gone to Europe. She wanted nothing to do with the Dentons right now.

Emma wasn’t so surprised.

Landon was the only one out of them all to know Tamsin’s whereabouts, and he’d gone, too. No one knew if he was alive or dead.

“I’m going to leave.”

Gabriel looked past her shoulder, and she followed his gaze to see Gideon walking toward her.

She couldn’t help but smile.

Gone was the penguin suit and in its place, a pair of jeans and a crisp white shirt. He looked every bit the tourist.

He moved to her side, pulling her against him, and she smiled at Gabriel.

“Trying to talk her out of being my wife?” Gideon asked.

“Not a chance. Only you can tame her. Have fun, you two. You both deserve it.”

She watched her brother go and turned to Gideon. “Is everything okay?”

“Jacob has told me to enjoy these two weeks. It’s going to be a long time before I get to have you all to myself after our honeymoon.”

“Is it really that bad?”

“Savona refuses to give up Tamsin. His sons are hunting her as we speak, and to make matters worse, we can’t afford a war right now. We don’t have the numbers. Funds are at an all-time low.” He ran his hand down his face, and she saw the stress it was causing.

“I love you,” she said.

He paused and turned to look at her. “What?”

“I love you so much. There are times I don’t even know if I can stand it. I love you more than anything else in this world. You’re the only person I want to spend the rest of my life with. It scares me how much I love you. I think I knew from the moment I attacked Gabriel. To stop him from hurting you. I couldn’t let anyone hurt you.” She cupped his cheek. “I have no doubt that we’re about to face trying times. Possibly uncertain, and it’s going to get dangerous. So incredibly dangerous, but I love you. I will always love you.”