by Sam Crescent
“Well, call me surprised. Were you talking about me?” Landon asked.
“Yes,” Jacob said. “We’re wondering how we’re going to clean up your mess so you can come home.”
“I thought you’d be going off, chasing Tamsin.”
“Rick said it was a bad idea,” Gabriel said. “I doubt she would’ve been so willing to give away her location after all this time.”
“Where’s Jade?”
“In a safe place,” Gabriel said.
“I want to see her.”
“That’s up to Rick, not me.”
“You do know I don’t need permission from Rick to see my friends. I can do whatever the hell I want, when I want.” He raised a brow at each of them as they shared a look. “I killed our father right in front of you all. I took Tamsin away from this bullshit and that fucking pervert. I saw the way that old bastard was looking at her. You guys may be happy with being our dead dad’s slaves and bowing to his every command, but I wasn’t going to allow our sister to be hurt by a piece of shit. She didn’t deserve it.”
“It wasn’t your place.”
“Fuck if it was my place. You know what? Fuck this bullshit.” He stepped away from the kitchen. “I’ll feed my woman when you pansies aren’t here anymore.” He stormed off, heading toward the guest part of the house. He tried every single door. At each one that opened, he didn’t bother looking inside and immediately went to the next one.
About half an hour later, he finally came to a locked door.
“Jade, if you’re in there and you’re figuring out how to pick the lock, step back.”
He heard some movement, lifted his foot, and kicked. It took him three more kicks for the door to spring open.
Jade sat on the edge of the bed. She ran her fingers through her hair and smiled as he stepped through the threshold. She threw herself into his arms.
“How’s Tulip? Is she okay? They didn’t do anything to her, did they? I’ve been so worried. I don’t know what to do. Tell me you’ve got some kind of plan.” She looked around the room.
“I … I don’t.”
“Landon, how did they find us?” she asked.
He stared at her, waiting for her to realize he’d done it on purpose.
She kept on watching him. “No, you didn’t.” She walked away from him. “You did this? On purpose?”
“Running wasn’t part of the plan.”
“No? But it fucking worked, didn’t it? Fuck!” She grabbed the nearest lamp and threw it across the room. Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” she asked.
“My brothers will protect you.”
“I thought you were different. I thought I could trust you.”
“If you keep running with me, Jade, you’re going to get killed.”
“What part of I don’t care don’t you understand? I don’t care if I die because at least I’ll be dead on my own terms. Right now, it’s about being on their terms.” She slumped down on the bed. “I … they’re going to send me back.”
“I’m going to talk to Rick.”
“Do you really think you’ve got any power here? The only way to save war between our families is to give me back.” She started to cry. “I don’t want to go back. I’d rather die than go back.”
“I’ll talk to him. You won’t go back.”
She sniffled. “You know, you were willing to risk everything for your sister and I thought we were friends.” She shook her head. “Get out. I had your back and you betrayed me.”
“I did what I thought was right.”
“Well, you thought wrong. There’s nothing right about this. Nothing at all. We had an agreement. I kept my end of the bargain, and you didn’t. You haven’t even come close.” She sighed. “Get out.”
“Jade?”
“Get out.” She yelled this last part.
“Do I have to kick your ass out?” Gabriel asked.
He had a tray in his hands, waiting.
“No, I was just leaving.” He didn’t look back at Jade. It was too painful. She was right. He’d betrayed her trust because he didn’t think he had what it took to protect her, and now he’d fucked up big time.
After heading back to the kitchen, he saw the room was now empty. He quickly poured two cups of coffee, took some cereal and milk, and went toward the bedroom.
When he entered, he saw the bed was already made but no sign of Tulip. He was about to scream the house down for someone to find her when she came out of the bathroom, drying her hair with a towel.
“Hey,” she said. “You got breakfast?”
“It’s not much. I can’t exactly ask Jade to cook. She’d probably poison our food. There’s something I’ve got to tell you.”
“Oh, no, am I going to like this?” she asked.
“I don’t know. Jade is pissed and I can’t say I blame her.” He blew out a breath. “Okay, here it goes. I led my family back to us.”
“What?”
“You heard me. They didn’t just randomly find us. I made sure they knew where we were so they could capture us.”
Her brows drew together in a frown. “Why would you do that? You’re supposed to be protecting her. Why would you risk her going back to her family?”
“For you.”
“Me? What do I have to do with any of this?”
“Those bounty hunters, they’re going to keep on coming and I don’t know how many times I can fight them off.”
“So, wait, you betrayed your friend?”
“I did what I had to do.”
“No, that’s not … it’s not … no.” She stood up. “You need to talk to your uncle or someone. Jade cannot go back to her family. She told me what it was like and you’ve got to protect her.”
“Don’t be angry with me.”
“I’m not angry with you, I’m just … I’m not used to this and she’s your friend. I’m no one.”
“You’re my woman, Tulip.”
“Landon, from what you’ve told me, she was there with you with each bounty hunter who came chasing you. I watched you fight side by side. She’s a damn good shot and she stopped you from getting killed. What you’ve done isn’t fair and you need to fix it. You have to come to some agreement with your uncle. I don’t know what. But you can’t let them trade her for peace or whatever it is you’re risking by not giving her up.” She stepped away from him.
He didn’t like that she wouldn’t let him touch her. Taking a deep breath, he realized he had to fix this. “I’ll be back. I got you breakfast. It’s not much but I’ll go and talk to my uncle. I’ll make this right, I promise.”
He took one last lingering look at her before making his way down to his father’s office, although it wasn’t his father’s anymore. Within a matter of seconds, he remembered all the times he’d been yelled at, called names, told he was useless and a waste of space. It wasn’t hard to keep up with all the names. He’d relished each time he’d pissed his father off. No matter what anyone said to him, he’d been more than happy to be the family rebel. Even now, he liked knowing he caused them trouble. It probably shouldn’t, but it did. He didn’t want any of them to have an easy life.
Without knocking, he entered the office and found his uncle looking over several files. The man probably hadn’t gone to sleep at all last night, but no one would be able to tell from simply looking at him.
He never allowed anyone, even family, to see a weakness.
“I haven’t given you free rein over this house. Tell me why the fuck you’re walking around as if you own the place.”
“You also haven’t put a guard on my door, so I’m guessing you’re not too concerned with me running off.”
“Touché.”
“What are you doing?”
“None of your business,” Rick said without even looking up. He typed something on the computer. “What do you want?”
“To talk about Jade.”
“You’ve got no power here, Landon. What I need to do will be up to me to decide.” Rick looked up.
“Are we clear?”
“You can’t send her back.”
“You should’ve thought about that when you let me know your location.”
“She’s not part of the deal.”
Rick got up from behind the desk. He rounded the large wooden monstrosity and perched on the edge. “You’re wanting to talk deals to me? How about the fact I’m currently dealing with a bounty on your head, one that is ironclad, a wife back home, a family in fucking chaos, and now I’ve got the Castillos who are aware I’ve been able to locate you. They want a piece of you, and until I deal with all of this shitstorm, Jade is very much a pawn I need to play with. Now forgive me for not pandering to your fucked-up needs. This is real life. If you wanted to protect her, you should have put her in a safe place like you did Tamsin. Now get the fuck out of my sight.”
“Then you’re going to need to put a guard on Jade,” he said.
“And why would I waste valuable resources like that?”
“Because if you don’t, she’ll find some way to end her life because she’d rather be dead than go back to her family.”
****
There was no denying the Dentons had a beautiful house. A wonderful life. Tulip leaned against the brick railing as she looked out over the expanse of gardens. It was a little cold on her flesh, but being outside was much more welcome than being indoors.
Out here, she felt safe, not like she was the odd one out.
Guards were everywhere.
She spotted them with their guns, constantly patrolling the place.
“I’m surprised you haven’t tried to run off,” Rick said, coming out to join her. He didn’t look out at the garden, his arms folded as he leaned against the railing.
“I’ve got nowhere to go. You’ve made sure of that.”
“I’m guessing with Landon’s begging, I have you to thank for that.”
She stood up and looked at the man who’d given her a chance and destroyed her life. It was odd how he’d forced her here and now the thought of leaving filled her with dread.
“You’re going to give Jade back, aren’t you?” she asked.
He kept on staring at her.
“Doesn’t it matter to you what people think? What they feel?”
“I’m a doctor.”
“You’re a shitty one.”
He laughed. “Yeah, I’m actually really good. I’ve saved a lot of lives.”
“Do you even care about the lives you’ve taken?”
“Nope. Not a single one.” He sighed. “You know, I don’t feel anything. I don’t give a fuck about living or dying until I think about my woman. Mandy is the only one who kept me sane. I know you hate me and I don’t give a fuck. Feelings are for the weak, but I needed you to ground Landon. Without you, he was fucked.”
“You used me just like you’re going to use Jade.”
“She’s not my responsibility.”
“Actually, she is. You could have ignored Landon’s foolishness. If you really don’t care at all about anyone or anything, then why did you come and get him? Why did you push your way into his life?”
“Simple, he’s a Denton. If I allow anyone to take out Landon, I admit we’re too weak. My family will never be weak.”
She shook her head. “You’re an arsehole.”
“And you need to figure out a way to control Landon.”
“I’m not going to control him.” She started to walk away, but Rick grabbed her arm. She didn’t want the contact and after everything this man had put her through, she lashed out, slapping him hard. “Don’t fucking touch me. Not ever.” With that, she stormed back into the house, coming face-to-face with one of the brothers. “Do you know where Jade is?”
“Why should I tell you?”
“I want to go and speak to her.”
“Again, it’s not a good enough reason.”
“Do I need a reason to go and see my friend?”
“So she’s your friend now.”
“I guess you’ve heard the news,” she said.
“News?”
“Your uncle Rick is going to give Jade back to her family. She will no longer be any of your responsibility. She’ll probably get sold to whatever man her family deems necessary.”
The man gave her the direction to where Jade was.
“What’s your name?” Tulip asked.
“It’s Gabriel Colton. Where’s Rick?”
“He’s outside.”
She didn’t linger and made her way upstairs, going straight to Jade’s room. The door was open but Jade sat on the bed, one handcuff around her wrist and the other to the bedpost.
“Do you see what kind of hospitality they show?”
Seeing Jade up didn’t sit right with Tulip.
Bending down, she tried to lift the bed and Jade laughed.
“Believe me, if you could have lifted the bed for an easy escape, I’d have already tried it. It would seem that not only did they have the basement to keep people locked down, they also have so many bedrooms.” Jade laughed. “I’m stuck here until my family comes. They may even bring a doctor, you know, to test to see if I’m still a virgin.” She sniffled.
“What?”
“Yep, my virginity is the most important point about me, didn’t you know?”
“No, that sounds wrong.”
“Oh, it is, but in our world, being a virgin is more important. It’s not for the men. No, they can lose it whenever they want, but us women, we have to remain untouched for eternity, until our husbands want us, of course. We’re not allowed to experience pleasure.”
“Enough with this. I’m not going to let this happen to you.”
Tulip looked around the room, trying to find something, anything that would pry open the cuffs. “There’s no point. It’s useless.”
“Nothing is useless. I’ll be back. Try not to … be sad.” She rushed out of the house. A place this big needed to have a garden shed, surely. A gardener, maybe? Someone who tended the grounds.
She made her way to the bottom of the yard, trying to find what she was looking for.
The Denton house was pure luxury and even the shed was something she’d live in. It was large, a big space, and as she looked inside, she saw it was all neatly presented. All the tools were in place, and it was tidier than her flat back home.
Shaking her head, she found what she was looking for and headed back to the house, only to be intercepted by Rick.
“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing,” he said, taking the snippers designed to snap twigs.
“Hey, give them back!”
“No, you’re not going to break free your friend.”
“You’re going to let her go.”
“Tulip, I suggest you go and hang out with Landon. It’s only a matter of time before I have to move him. Bounty hunters will try to chase him even in here.” He shoved her toward the house. Before she could attack him, one of the guards was there, holding her in place.
“Let me go.”
“I admire your spirit, Tulip, but you’re not going to win. Stop fighting the inevitable, and be grateful you’re not in her place.”
The guard dragged her inside the house. The moment he let her go, she spun around, slapped him hard across the face, and kicked him between the thighs.
She ran upstairs and went to find Jade. She was still in the same place, sitting there, likely giving up.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
“It’s fine. I’ll be fine.”
She took Jade’s other hand, locking their fingers together. “It’s not fine. I wish I could stop this.”
“You can’t. The only thing you can hope for is Landon will survive long enough to give you some kind of life.”
“Don’t talk about Landon right now. I’m annoyed with him.” Annoyed was putting it mildly. She was furious with him.
“Don’t be angry with him,” Jade said.
“You’re not angry with him?”
“Yeah, but that’s between me
and him. Don’t ruin your relationship with him just because of me. My dad, when he’s sees I’m all good and a perfectly sellable commodity, he won’t be pissed for long.” Jade shrugged.
“You’re giving up?”
“No. I’m not giving up. I’m accepting what my life is going to be.” Jade offered her a smile but it didn’t reach her eyes. “It is what it is.”
Tulip didn’t know what to say. There was nothing she could do or say to console this woman who was going to end up back with her family, which was exactly what she didn’t want.
Resting her head back against the bed, she closed her eyes and tried to come up with a plan.
Chapter Thirteen
“The Castillos are coming to claim their daughter. He’s bringing an entourage and I’ve advised him no armed guard will be entering our house,” Rick said. “They are also bringing a doctor. As long as her hymen is intact, he will see it as our debt to them is repaid.”
“You can’t give her back,” Gabriel said.
“This matter isn’t up for discussion. I’ve had Landon, Tulip, and now you. That girl is a problem and I don’t want to deal with it. With our focus on the bounty hunters, we don’t have time to start a war, and in case you haven’t noticed, with Maddox’s death, and you two fucking up rulings, things haven’t exactly gone to plan.” Rick looked at him and then at Jacob. “For the foreseeable future, my decision will stand.”
Gabriel looked toward his brothers. They had been so focused on trying to get Landon and figuring out what to do, that they had fucked up. Men had turned traitor, and some of their establishments had been closed down. Within the last few days, Rick had gathered a list of trustworthy, loyal men who had set about opening up their brothels, fighting rings, and gambling estates.
Running a hand down his face, he tried to clear the fog from his mind, but it didn’t work. “Giving Jade back is not a priority.”
Rick sighed. He’d already moved on to giving them a list of instructions. “And why is she not a priority? What part of you is too weak to start a war with the Castillos? While they’ve remained in power of their territory, we have become weak. There’s pressure gathering on the outskirts of our city for control. We are going to win that back, but not if we argue about this.”