Violent Ends

Rick and Stuart could hit back.

Anything could happen.

Once he was alone, he smiled. “You can come out now.”

Emma rounded the corner. She carried two large mugs. “I went and made us some hot chocolate. Here you go.”

“You heard that.”

“I heard enough to know you’re not listening to me,” she said, taking the seat beside him.

The robe she wore covered her body, and he wanted nothing more than to lift her up and sit her on his cock. Instead, he took her hand, locking their fingers together.

“Trust me.”

“Kind of hard to do when you’re not listening.”

He pressed his lips against hers. “I’m listening to you. This needs to happen regardless of the consequences. They know what is at stake. I finally got to talk to my brothers.”

“You see, that just makes it even more weird for me.”

“Why?”

“They were intent on hurting you. Literally beating the shit out of you, and you’re all happy with them now. How?”

“We’re brothers. Even when you’re pissed at Gabriel, you wouldn’t stand there and let him get killed, would you?”

“I totally would.”

He knew she was talking bullshit. “Really?”

“Yes.”

“Come on, Emma.”

“Fine. I wouldn’t let anyone kill him, but that’s because I’d be waiting to do the job.”

He pulled her in close against him, kissing her head. “I love you.”

She didn’t say anything, but he knew what she felt. There was no getting away from it anymore. She loved him, and he knew it.

“I’m scared for you.”

“I am, too, but this is what we’ve got to do. We’ve got to protect our family and our name.”

“I’ll be by your side, Gideon. I’m your family now as well.”

He ran his fingers up and down her arm, holding onto her tightly, not wanting to let her go.

One day soon, she’d tell him how she felt, and he’d be ready.

****

Opening her bedroom door, Tamsin saw it was Landon, asleep, guarding her. It was so cute that he thought he could protect her. They all thought they could.

She heard what they were planning, and she hoped they succeeded.

She wouldn’t be around to see how it went.

With her money stored in her bag, a change of clothes, and her ID, she was ready to move on. She wasn’t an idiot. The ID would have to go at some point, but she intended to keep it with her as long as possible.

Closing the door, she took her time moving past Landon. Just as she thought she’d made her escape, he caught her wrist, showing her he’d been awake all this time.

Neither of them said a word.

She tugged on her wrist, and still he held her.

He reached into his jacket, taking out a gun.

“Protect yourself,” he said.

“Thank you,” she said.

“Go, I’ll distract the house,” Landon said.

“You’re not going to try and stop me?”

“This is going to be your only chance to escape. You want to stick around and see shit get messed up, be my guest.”

“You’re going to do something crazy?”

“Nah, I’m not, but this doesn’t have to hit you.” He pulled out a pen, grabbing her arm. “Go to this guy. Tell him Landon sent you. I’ll send him the money. Get a new ID. I don’t want to know what it is. Just … survive.”

Tears filled her eyes, and she hugged her brother against her. “I love you, Landon.”

“I know. Go.” He let her go, and she breathed out as she made her escape. After all these years, she knew the guards’ patrol route. She’d been practicing her getaway for weeks now.

Finally, she was able to make it. Opening the back gate that led out onto the main road, she kept to the tree line so no one would find her.

She was out and free.

Chapter Thirteen

The sound of gunfire woke Emma up. Gideon moved over her, and it took her a few seconds to realize they were not coming into their room.

“What’s going on?” she asked. Her heart raced.

“Stay here.”

Gideon left her alone, and she hated being alone.

Picking up one of his spare guns, she made her way out of the room, going toward the sound. Gideon had already advanced. The shooting stopped, and then she heard Landon.

“Oh, fuck off. You don’t like that wakeup call? Get a sense of humor.”

She entered the main corridor, and there Landon stood, a gun in his hand.

No one was dressed, only Landon. He smirked as he stared at the crowd.

“Wow, that didn’t take long. You were all waiting for the gunfire, huh? Is that what pervs wait for?”

“I do not have to listen to this disrespect,” Paul said.

“Oh, please, you want Denton pussy. You admitted it last night.” Landon lifted up his shirt jacket and laughed. “Looks like you’re out of time.” He pressed his fingers to his lips, lifting them up in the air. “Bye-bye, sis.” He looked to Maddox. “Kind of hard to negotiate your daughter when she’s gone poof. Vanished into thin air.”