42. River
River
I don’t think either of us expected Jenson to stroll in through the front door with Briar curled up against his chest.
Her hands are resting on his chest. And he’s allowing it.
What happened? Kai signs the question I can’t say as we both stand.
Briar offers me a small, uncertain smile, and my focus zeroes in on her lip. Kai catches it at the same time.
Both of us still. She didn’t have that last night.
Which means—
Kai moves first, gently lifting up her chin so he can get a closer look.
And my voice drops, the tone not one I’ve ever heard coming out of my mouth. “ What. The fuck. Happened .”
Jenson hesitates, before he nudges past and sits on our battered leather couch with Briar still held against him. His eyes are like ice, but he holds her carefully. Gently. We both watch as he smooths her hair back. “Briar will be staying with us. Tell them.”
She shifts, and he releases her enough that she can sit up on his lap. The story spills out, Briar glancing up at Jenson several times, bolstered by his nods.
Kai and I exchange glances, a look of mutual agreement passing between us. Jenson catches it, his lip tilting up where she can’t see.
Philip Fitzherbert is a dead man walking.
“So,” Briar says eventually. She looks at Jenson again. “Jenson offered me a place to stay. If that’s… okay? I don’t want to impose.”
From the look on his face and the tight grip he still has on her, I doubt very much that’s how the conversation went. But it doesn’t matter. “You’re not going back there.”
We’ve been taking her back. Leaving her there.
Kai has the same nauseous look on his face. You’re staying.
“Thank you.” She glances down. “I know tonight is supposed to be our second night—,”
“No.” I snap the word, and her head jerks in surprise. “Not after last night – and then today.”
Not with her face all swollen. “Once you’re healed, we’ll discuss it.”
Truthfully, I don’t give a fuck about the agreement. I don’t think any of us do. None of us are interested in short-term anymore.
I don’t give a fuck about waiting, as long as we get to keep her. “What about your things?”
She almost bites down on her sore lip before she winces, and a fresh wave of rage rolls through me. “I need to go and get them. I’ll speak to my father at the same time.”
She doesn’t seem excited at the prospect. “Why don’t you let Kai and I pick them up for you?”
She shakes her head. “He won’t like that.”
I don’t give a shit. “Will he let you go without an argument?”
Her hesitation is enough of an answer.
“Let us go,” I say gently. “We’ll tell him you’re not coming back. You can confirm it with him over the phone. You don’t need to face that today.”
Or ever. I can see her wavering.
It’s your choice. Kai glances at me. If you want to do this, we’ll take you.
Either way, we’ll be there. Her father sounds like an untrustworthy bastard.
“I don’t want to see him,” she admits finally, staring at the floor. “Not yet. Maybe not for a while.”
I try not to smile. “That’s fine. We’ll be in and out.”
Mostly.
***
Gerald Everett, a portly, red-faced man in his late sixties, clearly isn’t expecting us. His eyes bulge as the door opens. My foot stops him from slamming the door in our faces.
Rude.
“Good. You’re here.” I grip him by his starched white collar, pushing him back as Kai kicks the door closed. “Anybody else in the house, Gerald?”
The blood has drained from his face. “If you’re here about the money, it’s coming. I’ll have it within a month.”
“See,” I murmur, “that’s very interesting. Where exactly is this money coming from?”
His face purples under my grip as it tightens, pushing into his neck. “A new partner at my firm. And there’s more. My daughter will be getting married – there’s an arrangement. More coming—,”
This fucker.
Releasing him, I step back. His face clears, only for Kai to step in and lift him, slamming him against the door and holding him in mid-air. He squirms, the low moans of terror sounding more like he’s experienced seven hours of waterboarding instead of a little roughness. I think he might have pissed himself.
“No.” My mouth presses into a hard line as I fold my arms. “Your daughter will not be marrying Philip, I’m afraid. Not after he assaulted her this morning and gave her a swollen lip. Bit her like an animal.”
The fucker doesn’t even blink at the news. “She’ll do as she’s told. She’s a good girl.”
This is what Briar’s grown up with. I don’t say a word as Kai’s fist slams into his stomach, and he chokes, wheezing with pain. “It’s coming! I swear – please! I just need a little more time.”
“You misunderstand me.” I step closer. My finger digs into his cheek, twisting. “Briar isn’t coming home tonight. As of today, this is no longer her home. She’s not safe under your roof, you selfish fucking asshole. So we’re taking her off your hands.”
He pales. “You’re not from the Clubs?”
Ah. So that’s who he owes money to. Jenson will speak to Keenan.
Gerald’s interest rate is about to see a sharp increase.
“Nope.” I pop the ‘p’. “We’re the ones that will skin you alive if you do anything that makes Briar uncomfortable in the future. I’m sure she’d like you to remain above ground - but if you try to control her, gaslight her, manipulate her in any way - or put her anywhere near Philip fucking Fitzherbert, we’ll come back. And we won’t be quite as nice about it next time. As far as she’s concerned, you will be the father she actually deserves.”
At my nod, Kai releases him. He hits the floor with a satisfying thud.
Go and get her stuff.
Kai disappears as I crouch, flicking Gerald’s forehead in time with my words. “I’m generally considered the more reasonable one, you know. You might want to think about that, when deciding your future actions. But Briar will not be part of your business arrangements. Nod, so I know you understand me.”
He nods. A scent wafts from him, and I wrinkle my face in disgust. Definitely pissed himself.
What a vile little man.
I tilt my head. “Now, then. Tell me where I can find Philip Fitzherbert. And if I find out you’ve warned him about our visit, I’m going to be very disappointed in you, Gerald.”
He chokes out an address.
As a reward, I pat him on the cheek.
Fairly hard.
More of a slap, really.
Oh, look at that. He’s unconscious. “Good man.”
But an asshole father.