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I’d heard of the rumors. “You think he’s trying to kill all four of you?”
“We’ve got evidence he may be the one who sent the MC.”
This made me pause. I hadn’t forgotten about the MC. Why would I? I looked back toward Emily.
“She didn’t know,” I said.
“I agree she didn’t know, but she’s his daughter.”
“You’ve seen the way he treats her. She’s nothing to him.”
Marshall clicked his tongue. It was then I noticed he held a glass of whiskey. “Never underestimate a woman’s value, Vadik. I have taught you better. He treats her like crap, but that doesn’t mean he believes in what he’s doing. She’s valuable.”
“No, her virginity is what is valuable.”
“Don’t hate me for telling you like it is. I’m being honest here. She is certainly causing a bit of a stir, isn’t she?”
“Dad, don’t kill her.”
“You know our rules. There’s a reason we keep them in place.”
“She hates her dad.”
“It’s tough.”
“What would you have done if Grandpa had threatened to kill Bethany?”
I hadn’t spoken to my dad about Daniel’s revelation. There was no reason to. He’d loved a woman and she’d died. They’d been able to overcome her death by working together. I got it, but at the same time, I couldn’t believe he was talking about killing the woman who now bound their sons even closer together.
Daniel may have the DNA for Caleb, but I knew all four of them saw Caleb as their son.
“Do not speak her name as if you know what it means to love.”
“But I do,” I said, getting to my feet as my father had already done so to leave. To him, this conversation is over.
“I love her.”
“You’re a fool.”
“Why? You fell in love. You were willing to leave this fucking place to start a family, but I’ve got to what, marry for the family? Turn my back on love?”
“Bethany was never a threat.”
“Neither is Emily. She killed that man. She’s not like her father. You cannot do this.”
Marshall grabbed my neck, and in the next second, I was pressed against the side of the house. To any onlooker, we were having a conversation, but I knew my father. This was no idle threat.
“Do not cross that line with me, Vadik. We as the Monsters will do what needs to be done. You are not the main demons here, we are.” He squeezed even tighter, but I didn’t beg. I didn’t even try to stop him.
He let me go.
I’d long ago realized that my dad wouldn’t kill me. Not his one and only son. I was the only person who could take his place, and keeping the Monsters together meant more to him than any kind of power play.
He turned on his heel and left.
Before I made my way to Emily and Ashley, I gained control of my breathing. The bruise around my neck would add to the list of ones I already possessed.
Stepping off the porch, I walked down to where Emily and Ashley were already packing away their textbooks.
“I have come to the conclusion, Vadik, that you are awesome.”
Ashley had thrown her arms around my neck and held me close in a hug. I was about to push her away when she let me go with a huge smile on her face. “Thank you for bringing me here. Your home is so beautiful.”
“Are you for real?” I asked.
“Hey, don’t be mean. She’s giving you a compliment about your house.”
“It’s not mine.” But I couldn’t deny how beautiful it was. This was my home.
“I need to go home. Mom’s already called. Dinner will be ready in twenty minutes.” She nibbled on her lip. “You don’t mind driving me?”
“It’s why I’m here,” I said.
I was willing to allow Emily to have some girl time with her new friend. After I dropped Ashley off, I’d get her all to myself, and that was what I wanted. Grabbing Emily’s hand, I pulled her close.
I’d need to talk to the guys about what my father had revealed. There was no doubt Bernard Crane had been caught. He was trying to kill my fathers and take over the Monsters, and there was no way they could let that kind of betrayal slide. Emily’s life was on a countdown unless the tycoon proved useful.
Our Emily was slipping through our fingers at a speed I couldn’t stand. We’d only just gotten her and already she was being taken away. I couldn’t accept it. I loved her. I had never loved anyone in my life, apart from my friends who I considered brothers, but that love was different from my feelings for Emily.
I opened the passenger door for Emily to climb in and let Ashley get in the back. She was still talking about my house. The features she loved the most. I didn’t mind her filling the silence.
