Violent Ends

The moment Maddox looked away, he stared at his son.

She knew she’d won.

****

“You shouldn’t have done that,” Gideon said, coughing and in pain.

His dick was so damn hard though. He’d watched his woman take charge in that warehouse. The moment he got the call and parked up, he’d seen the look on his brothers’ faces and knew they were going to hurt him. That their father had made sure they knew what the hell was happening.

He’d been expecting it.

It was the first time he’d openly threatened his father.

Now though, Emma had threatened their women. He didn’t for a second believe that was going to go unpunished. Something would happen, and he just needed to be prepared. Right now, he felt like he’d broken a rib.

“I’m dying,” he said.

“I know.”

“I can’t believe you jumped on Gabriel’s back like that.”

“Yeah, well, he shouldn’t have been hitting my man.”

“I did hear you say that.” He reached out, taking her hand, locking their fingers together. “You shouldn’t have threatened their women.”

“I’ve already organized a meeting tomorrow with them all. I want them to know what was happening. I’m not going to pretend I didn’t threaten them.”

“What secrets do you have on my father?” he asked.

She sighed. “I know where all of his businesses are located, along with bank accounts, and other contracts that he doesn’t want to make public.”

“Why not?”

“Influential people who wouldn’t want to be known as being part of such an organization. I know where to send the details, and I’m not talking the cops either.”

“You’d do that for me?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“It’s fucking dangerous.”

“I don’t want you to be hurting, Gideon. He was the one that started it. If I left, he was only going to hurt you some more.”

“I may have deserved it.”

“Why did you threaten him?” she asked.

“He’s planning on marrying Tamsin off, and then there’s Landon. I don’t agree with that shit.”

“Me neither.”

“I need to be able to protect you.”

“I can protect myself.”

“Don’t be foolish. You walked away tonight, but I know my father. He won’t let this slide. You embarrassed him.”

She shrugged. “I’ll deal with it.”

“Damn it, Emma.”

“I think I’m falling for you.”

He paused, looking at her, and gritted his teeth. “You’re saying that to keep me quiet.”

“Did it work?”

“Only if you mean it.”

“Of course, I mean it.” She winked at him. “I’ll go and get some more wipes.”

She got to her feet and walked toward the door. He watched as she stopped, turned on her heel, and came back to kiss him.

Her lips were heaven, even when he was in pain.

“I couldn’t have anything happen to you.”

In the next second, she was gone.

He wasn’t alone for long as Owen and Wyatt entered the room. They both looked pretty grim.

He coughed again. “I know the danger she’s in.”

“She threatened the head of the Denton family, Gideon. There will be consequences, we all know that.”

Gideon sighed. “I know.”

“Do you have any idea how to stop this?”

“Not right now. I need you guys to be like a rash around her. I’ll be okay tomorrow, but don’t let her go back to work.”

“You don’t have to do that. I can take care of myself,” Emma said.

“Em, babe, I love you, and one day we’re going to be married and have kids, but you pretty much declared war on my father.”

“It’ll be fine.” She smiled at him. “Have a little trust and faith here. I do in you.” She sat beside him, kissing his lips. “Trust in me.”

“I don’t know what you’re doing.” He ran a hand over his face and came away with blood.

Emma left once again and returned seconds later carrying a pot of water.

“I know what I’m doing.”

“Wyatt and Owen are going with you wherever you go though.”

“I won’t argue.”

“Gabriel’s pissed,” Owen said. “He’s already called us both a dozen times.”

“He picked his side,” Emma said.

“He was just doing what needed to be done.”

“Gabriel doesn’t do anything in this world unless he wants to do it,” Wyatt said.

“Don’t underestimate him, Gideon. He comes across as a wounded little puppy, but he is far from it.”

Gideon looked at Wyatt, Owen, and Emma. He saw the warning in their stares.

“He’s dangerous. Don’t think because he’s taking orders that it will last. There’s a reason our father used him to train. Gabriel is ruthless when he needs to be, and he’s not so sweet and calm either. There’s a temper there.”

He noted their warnings.

Emma helped him remove his shirt, which was filthy with mud and blood.

“Does your mom know he does this?” Emma asked.

“No. It’s not something we talk about.”

She tutted. “I don’t like this one bit.” She continued to clean and wipe at the cuts and bruises on his body.

Wyatt and Owen excused themselves.

Reaching out, he twirled a curl of Emma’s hair.

“I like that you took care of me,” he said. She was the first woman to do so. “I love you so much.”