Violent Ends

His father was proving to be a real pain in the ass, and it was irritating him. He didn’t want to stop Emma from doing anything. If she wanted to leave, he’d follow. Plain and simple. His father, though, would drag them both back.

“I won’t say anything. I promise.”

“We’re going to have to live here for a couple of weeks.”

“Why?”

“I need to help with Landon. He’s not going to be himself.”

“Is he ever going to get over what happened?”

“Probably not. You saw how volatile he is. I don’t want to lose him.” He loved his brother. “I don’t even have a clue what he’s going through. No one can tell him if he’s ever going to be okay again.”

“When is her funeral?”

“I don’t know. I doubt Dad will let him fly out to England.”

“It could do him good, you know. To see her. Or at least to say goodbye,” she said.

“That won’t happen. Dad needs him to move on.”

“Your dad is a jerk.”

“Preaching to the choir here, babe.”

Chapter Six

One week later

Emma couldn’t handle another moment of staying at the Denton house. Hearing Landon scream and beg for death was more than she could take. He was so young. He shouldn’t be begging for his life to end. She’d cornered Gabriel and forced him to bring her to work.

She had to get out of there for her own sanity.

The sheer pain in Landon, anyone could hear or see it. Gideon had told her they had to chain him up and were taking turns feeding him. She didn’t agree to that. She’d also overheard his father talking. Sarah, the British girl, had already been buried. There was no way for Landon to say goodbye.

She found the entire incident … awful. It didn’t help that Charlotte hadn’t defended her son or even fought for him.

As she slammed the file down on her desk, Emma clenched her hands into fists in the hope of some peace, of anything right now.

“What did that file ever do to you?”

She looked up to find Gideon leaning against her doorframe.

Taking a deep breath, she forced a smile to her face.

Every single night, Gideon climbed into her bed, and she found his presence … nice. They hadn’t done anything but talk so far. She liked it when he held her. His arms wrapped around her. She felt that nothing could ever hurt her, not with him there to protect her all the time.

“It needs ordering so I didn’t have much choice.” She picked up the file and took it to the cabinet, placing it back in the drawer. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to tell you that I’m taking you dancing tonight.”

“You are? You’re allowed to leave the house?”

“Yes, I’m allowed to leave the house. Don’t worry. I’ve got plenty of brothers and a sister, along with sisters-in-law that can help out. I want to take you out to dance. You could do with the break.”

She picked up her pen as she thought about it.

“I see you’re taking your time here. It’s not up for negotiation.”

“Why not?”

“Because, we’re going to have fun, and I don’t care if you like this or not.” He stepped up to the desk, taking the pen from her hand. “Come on, we’re heading out.”

“I like working.”

“Please, right now even I don’t want to work for my father. Come on.”

He took her hand, and before she knew what was happening, they were leaving the safety of her office.

Gideon wouldn’t be stopped no matter what she said.

She didn’t exactly put much of a fight as he took her out of the office and down to his car.

He had her bundled inside, seatbelt on, and was already behind the wheel and driving when she finally thought of all the reasons why this wasn’t a good idea.

“Take me home.”

“Not happening. Oh, Wyatt and Owen have also decided to help with my brother. We’re all taking shifts to watch him. Teams of two.”

“I feel really sorry for Landon.”

“Me too, babe. Me too.”

“Why do you feel sorry for him?” she asked.

“I only know what it’s like to want my woman. Landon, he’s wanted her and been taken away from her because of how young he is, and now, well, he’s lost her. He’s young. All he has are memories of her.”

“That’s why I’m sad.”

“With you I’m going to make more than memories.”

She glanced over at him.

“What are you going to make?” she asked, genuinely curious.

“We’re going to make lots of babies, and I’m going to make you incredibly happy so you don’t think about anything else at all.”

She kept staring at his face, seeing the determination there. It was kind of surreal to know that he loved her even though she only cared about him. She’d always liked Gideon, and she felt a little guilty that even as he was all in, she had only just realized that they were supposed to be together.