Chapter 8
Denver
Iput my hands into my pockets and play with my wedding ring, the metal warming in my palm. It’s starting to feel like a brand.
Leaving Ranger was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. The logistics didn’t matter because all I could focus on was finding the strength to tell him no, but now the reality is here, hitting me in the face.
We’re legally man and wife. To change that, we both need to sign paperwork I know he’ll likely take a match to.
I can only hope that how he’s been recently, especially with Axel, means I might be able to reason with him. Maybe what he did to Theo and me has given him a conscience.
I check my phone. Nothing from Colt. His last message was just before heading into the church, and I told him I loved him, too.
“You have your pepper spray?” Lewis says from beside me.
I nod. “Yep.”
“Don’t hesitate to use it.”
I reach for his hand, needing all the strength I can get. “I won’t.”
The elevator doors open to the penthouse, and loud laughter echoes down the hall. I frown, exchanging a look with Lewis, before striding into the room. My heels click against the marble flooring as I make my way to the dining area and stop in my tracks.
Ranger is at the head of the table, Alexei Volkov to his left, Dante Capelli to his right, and several other men I recognize from the funeral. Important, powerful men.
My husband leans back in his chair, his brows raised. “Hello, little bird. I thought you were in California.”
I cut a glance to the room, then back to him. “The trip was canceled.”
Ranger stands in a swift movement, and as he reaches me, he slides his arm around my waist. “Gentlemen, you know my wife, Denver.”
As murmurs of greeting ripple through the room, Alexei’s gaze lingers on Ranger’s hand on my hip. Dante has twisted his upper body in his chair, his arm over the back of it.
I edge myself out of Ranger’s grip. “What’s all this about then? Boys’ club?”
“I’m getting acquainted. Being friendly.” Ranger returns to his seat. “It is my city, after all.”
“Was,” I respond sweetly. “You’re wanted back home, aren’t you, darling?”
“No. Axel is there for me. He learns quickly.”
My eyes widen as fear bolts through me. Axel is not working for his father—not a chance in fucking hell. “Excuse me, gentlemen. I need a word with my husband.”
I march out of the room, amused chuckles echoing behind me as I stride into the living area. My blood is running far too hot, and Lewis stands against the far wall, alert as Ranger follows me.
“Something wrong, little bird?”
“This was not what we agreed,” I whisper-hiss. “We needed you at the funeral, not here. Not doing this.”
He tilts his head, his gaze traveling down my outfit. “You needed me to support you, but these men don’t know me. If they respect me, they respect you. Is this new?”
He reaches out to touch the strap of my dress, and I smack his hand away.
“Lewis, can you give us a minute?” I ask, and my friend frowns gently but nods, leaving the room. Ranger takes the opportunity to move closer, but I hold up my hand. “You are no longer needed. You can go home. And Axel can, too.”
He tuts. “But he’s becoming a real heir.”
“Ranger, you let him go.” I step close, my anger simmering in my words and on my skin. “He isn’t built for this. He’s a good man.”
“He’s a better monster.”
I want to scream at him. To drag my nails down his face and promise him a thousand deaths if he doesn’t do as I demand.
But arguing with him now is pointless. He wants my emotion, probably feeds off of it, so he’ll get nothing from me but the cold, hard truth.
“I want a divorce.”
Something flashes in Ranger’s eyes, but it’s gone so quickly I’m unsure what it was.
“We have a dinner with Alexei and his wife tonight.” He adjusts the cuff of his sleeve. His watch isn’t there, but the bracelet I made him still is. “Be here for seven.”
“Ranger,” I say. “You’re not listening to me.”
“Wear red. I like you in red.”
“I am not going to a fucking dinner with you, Ranger. I have left you; I am divorcing you—”
“No, you’re fucking not.” The bite in his tone has me almost stepping back. “You are not leaving me now. Not ever. Especially not for Colt fucking Harland. You will do as you’re told. You will come to this dinner, and you will behave.”
I’m so na?ve sometimes that it’s embarrassing. I really hoped I’d be able to have this conversation and walk away with a promise of freedom.
I forgot who I’m dealing with.
“What is the plan, Ranger? Stay here?”
“It was my home long before it was yours. I was denied everything. Now, I’m taking it back. The McEwan name. The empire. Everything.”
Disbelief almost robs my words. “You can’t do that.”
“It’s already begun, little bird. I have deals with most men in that room.
And I am the only McEwan able to.” He tilts his head.
“Or has Ronan finally woken up?” I say nothing, his revelation still rolling through me.
He touches my chin, lifting my gaze to his.
“You have two choices, my love. You reveal you’ve been warming Colt’s bed, and to save face, I kill him, tear apart his business and his name, and leave nothing.
Or you do what you’ll eventually do anyway and come back to me. ”
This is what I feared the moment I fell for Colt. I knew when Ranger discovered my feelings, he would kill him and destroy what was left of my heart and life. I knew staying here meant a war.
Ranger gazes at me like he loves me. Like he has any idea what love is. “Give it some thought, but don’t let Colt end up like Ethan. It’s tiring, watching you grieve other men.”
I shove him, but he catches my wrists.
Ranger’s body radiates frustration—most likely that he can’t have me, definitely because he can’t rule me.
“Ranger, stop—”
“Stop what? You always enjoyed this side of me.” His dark gaze travels across my face, landing on my lips.
“You like to make me jealous, Denver, you always have, but you never liked the consequences. I told you once if a man ever touched you like I did, that I’d slit his throat.
Do you remember?” I try to pull away from him, but he holds firm.
“I said I’d kill him and reclaim you. I’m more than happy to keep that promise. ”
He releases my wrists and leaves the room. The walls feel like they’re closing in, and I heave in breaths.
Everything is crumbling, and the men in that room will pick at the carcasses of two of the greatest names in this city’s history if I stay here.
If I walk away, Colt lives. The Harland name continues.
If I stay, the war I’d hoped to avoid will happen when we’re already weak.
It seems like such an obvious answer. A year ago, I’d follow Ranger without question, desperate to save those I love. I’d get to my knees and beg for peace, because fighting Ranger always felt impossible.
But it isn’t anymore.
It isn’t just me against the monster. I have Colt beside me and a family behind me.
And I refuse to only be Ranger Luxe’s wife.
Fuck this.
I stride through the hall and into the dining room filled with men who rule pieces of a city. I toss my wedding ring on the table, the metal clanging as the room falls silent. All eyes are on me.
“It’s good you’re all here so you can hear the truth,” I say, directing my words at the men staring at me.
“I left Ranger months ago. I am in love with Colt Harland, and he is Finn McEwan’s son.
Ranger is not next in line, and neither is Ronan.
Colt is. He’s also awake, alert, and ready to fucking fight, and I will be right by his side.
” I shift my gaze to Ranger, his furious stare a balm to my soul.
“Touch Colt, and you’ll finally see what I’m capable of.
You’ll die by the hand of the woman you claim you created.
” I scan the room. “And you’d all be smart to remember who kept you alive for as long as he did—and will continue to do so long after Ranger Luxe falls. ”
I spin on my heel and head for the door.
“Little bird—”
“My lawyer will be in touch about that divorce,” I say and lift my hand, giving him the middle finger as I walk away. “And my name isn’t little bird. It’s Denver DeLuca.”