Violent Ends (The Denton Family Legacy 5)

“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.”

Jacob shook his head. “We’ve never been away from the top, Dad. Right now, you’re sinking us down to the bottom. We’re no better than the Coltons if you do this deal.”

One by one, they turned to leave. Gideon pulled her out of the room.

She saw the brothers as they all looked at each other. Clearly a message was being spoken among them, even as she didn’t have a clue what it was.