“Doesn’t stop arranged marriages, does it?” She forced a smile to her lips, even though she didn’t feel it.
“I’m Cathy Wingcroft.”
“Tanya Davis,” she said, hating the fact she lied to this woman.
“I own this diner, and seeing as you’re a runaway, I can offer you a room to stay for the night. We’ve got a lot of tourists, and the hotels are all filled up last I heard. I’ve got a room.”
“Do you need a worker?” she asked.
“Are you used to hard work, Tanya?”
“I can be a hard worker. Please. I want to repay you in some way.”
Cathy licked her lips and shook her head. “I’m a fucking sucker for this. Sure. We’ll deal with that tomorrow though. For now, I want you to just eat pancakes when I bring them out.”
“Please don’t call the cops.” It suddenly dawned on Tamsin that this woman could ruin her chance to get away.
Once the cops had her, she’d be back with her family.
Back with Mason Savona.
That wasn’t happening.
“I can see how terrified you are. I’m not a monster. You’re not the first stray I’ve taken in. Don’t worry, have a little faith.”
****
Gideon left strict instructions with Owen and Wyatt. They were to take care of Emma, and if they hadn’t heard from him by the end of the day, they were to run, no questions asked.
Parking up at the zoo parking, he bought a ticket and made his way inside.
“What the hell is this?” he asked, walking up to Gabriel.
“This is so we can talk.”
“What is there to talk about?”
“What happens after Maddox is gone.”
“You know, I’d love to know how you found out all of our shit.”
“It’s not hard to do. You guys don’t exactly whisper.”
“It’s none of your business. No matter what your DNA says, you’re not a Denton.”
“I don’t give a shit about my position here, Gideon. I can take care of myself. I want to know what happens to Emma. She is my only fucking concern right now. Owen and Wyatt can take care of themselves. Always have been able to. Emma’s my sister. No matter how much she hates me. She loves you, and I know she would pick a life with you over everything else.”
Gideon ran a hand down his face, trying to clear all the shit from his brain. He had to focus, but right now, everything was going to shit. “If Maddox is dead, then I can’t run. Whoever does the deed, they’ve got a bounty on their head. That’s no life for Emma.”
“Then you’re not doing it.” Gabriel made to leave, but Gideon caught his arm.
“What the fuck does that mean?”
“Exactly what I said. You’re not going to leave my sister. She’s never known much happiness in this life. When I look at the two of you together, I see how happy you make her. I don’t want to end that for her. I refuse to do that to her. You’re not killing Maddox Denton. I will.”
“No. This is not your fight,” Gideon said.
“It is my fight. We may not have been brothers for long, but I can do this. He means nothing to me, Gideon. Unlike you, Jacob, all of the others. I can do this.”