“I could go to jail if you tell everyone those things.”
I shrugged. “You didn’t mind sending two children to a stranger after burning their parents. Why would I give a fuck about sending you to jail?”
Regan reached for me, her fingers digging into my shoulder. “What are you doing?”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered to her. “But I love you, and I hope you can understand exactly how much. I should have never loved you, Rebel, but I did, and I can’t let him take you from me, too.”
Her dad eyed the gun again, and then her, apparently trying to make his choice. At least he was giving it a second thought, but his decision would make mine.
“Please, Rook,” she hissed. “You just said you loved me. Please don’t make him do this.”
“I’m not making him do anything. He has a choice. A clear one.” My voice stayed low, not wanting him to hear.
“His choice is to kill me or lose everything?” she asked, her voice hiccuping as she fought back tears.
“And? There is no fucking choice with you, Regan. I would burn my entire life to the ground all over again if it meant standing with you in the ashes. Shouldn’t he have the same opinion?”
“Maybe, but is this really the way I need to find out?”
Her dad picked up the gun, his face hardening at us. “Fine, but I swear, if you don’t undo any damage you have done to me or my business, I will come for you with everything I have,” Cameron said.
Regan backed up, her eyes going wide as he lifted the gun to face her.
“You aren’t serious?” she asked. “You would kill me to save the business?”
“I’m sorry, but I’ve worked my entire life, and I knew, I fucking knew, you were going to be my downfall. If not today, it would only be a matter of when, not if.”
“I wouldn’t take anything from you! I came home to help you. I came home because you were sick and needed someone and Iwas there. Why throw it all away now when we don’t even have much time together left?”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Regan. I made up the illness so you would stick around without getting your nose in my business. So you would help me by shaking hands when I needed and staying home when I didn’t. I couldn’t worry about you running around learning anything about my business, and I couldn’t risk you being too far and finding anything out. Yet what did you do? You brought the problem right into our home. How could I ever trust you again, anyway? I’m a good shot. It won’t hurt.”
“You made it up,” she yelled, stepping back against the wall. “You made up being deathly ill. Have you lost your mind?”
I breathed in relief as I read the rage on her face. She finally understood. Her chest heaved as her eyes went wide, jumping from him to me.
“Rook, stop this right now. I get it.”
“He can’t take it back now,” Cameron said. “I need my business and he promised that to me.” He flicked the safety off and pulled the trigger. I could only smile as the gun clicked repeatedly, but nothing happened.
The realization dawned on him, and I got up, turning to stand in front of Regan as he pulled the gun back, throwing it hard in her direction, but it only hit my back.
“You get it now?”
The guys had grabbed Cameron again, forcing him to sit as he yelled.
I leaned down, pressing a hard kiss to her lips. “I will do anything you want, Rebel. If you want him dead, he’s dead. If you want him kept alive, he will be. You’re in control now, and whatever you want, I’ll make it happen.”
Her eyes went wide as her hands laid on my chest. “Really?”
“Really,” I said, relief coursing through me as she moved onto her toes, kissing me again.
“What about your revenge you’ve wanted? I saw the texts. I don’t blame you, Rook.”
“I realized you next to me every day and night it more important.”
She kissed me again, and I pulled her close, hoping we were getting to the end of this mess.
“Wait!” her dad yelled out from behind me. “I have a better deal!”
