Chapter Thirty-Five
Rowan
I've just got her back, and I'm stuck out here with these chuckle fucks. Theodore is no help, his suave curiosity only serving to toy with our guards. Dom is silent, as usual, as he finishes his cigarette in peace.
While I'm pacing, my eyes occasionally straying to the front door of the ranch-style home, my hitmen are the center of calm and collective.
“I have to piss,” Theo goads, cocking his hip against the porch's railing as he levels our watchdogs with a smirk.
The man with brown hair cants his head towards the side of the house. “Piss in a bush.”
“Oh, come on!” Theo pushes. “Let me in. I won't touch anything. Again.”
The other man, a stout sort with a buzzed head, scoffs. “You’re not getting past us. Not after last time.”
Theo rocks back, his head resting against a pillar. “I’ll find where you live.” He sings in a threat.
“Theo,” Dom warns.
The front door opens, and my head whips around. Addison stands on the threshold, her face strong and as beautiful as ever. Until I see the first tear slip from her glassy eyes.
“Sunshine,” I mumble, pushing up the steps. I wrap my arms around her, and she buries her head in my shoulder as she sobs. Her hands fist the back of my shirt as I rub circles on her back. “What’s wrong? What did they say to you?”
She hiccups, “Can we get out of here first? I don't want to be here anymore.”
“Of course,” I mutter into her sweet-smelling hair. “I’ll get us a hotel.”
Whatever was exchanged was heavy. I can feel it in the shakes of her body with every cry. My chest aches to take it all away as anger boils over at her family.
They hurt her.
Whatever happened up there is what set this off, and I'm not leaving here without giving them a piece of my fucking mind over it. They should consider themselves lucky that they're Addison’s kin, or they would have been dead the moment I stormed this compound.
“It’s going to be okay,” I promise. While I'm seething with rage, it doesn't take away from the comfort my girl needs. I’ll be here until the day I fucking die.
She pulls away, and I use my thumbs to wipe her tears. “My uncle—” She chokes on a sob, shaking her head. “He wants to talk to you.”
I coo at her, touching her everywhere my hands can. “I’m not leaving you until you're ready.”
She presses her cheek into my palm, closing her eyes as if she's in deep pain. “Thank you.”
I kiss her nose, whispering soothing words as we share a moment. Right here, everything else—everyone else—melts away. It’s just us, and I have her back safely in my arms.
A throat clears from the doorway, and I glare over the top of Addison’s head at her cousin standing there. Logan nods to me. “My dad is expecting you.”
“Fuck off,” I growl.
Addison cups my cheek, turning my head down towards her. Those big, bright hazel eyes enchant me as she speaks low. “I’m okay. Go and talk to him. I'll be right here.”
My face softens. “I can't leave you like this…”
“I’m alright. It was just a lot,” she sniffles again before pressing her lips to mine, and I could liquify into a puddle at her feet—drop to my knees at her mercy, forever a devoted follower.
When she pulls away, she gives me that watery smile that speaks to my soul in a way no other could. “Go.”
I nod, reluctant to leave her. I can't stop thinking about the possibilities. What if I come out here and she's gone? What if she decides she doesn't want this? Doesn't want me?
I’ve lost her once before, and the thought of losing her again could fucking break me into a million god damned pieces. I’ve never felt so vulnerable in my entire life.
I press my lips to her forehead, soaking in her warmth. “I’ll be back.”
She stays unnaturally quiet, her spirit broken from whatever hell this family unleashed, but she still gives me the best smile she can muster.
“I’ll stay out here with her,” Logan says as he steps beside her. He glances at the two men on watch, and they all seem to share a silent conversation that has my hackles rising.
Before I can dip past the door, I lean down and whisper so only my girl can hear me. “Theo has your phone. Get it from him.” I point to the blonde, and he gives a little wave before slipping the device back to her. His body blocks the view of the others watching us.
“Thanks,” she mumbles, shoving it into her pocket.
I give my travel companions one last look, urging them silently to watch over her while I'm gone. I don't take the time to observe the house I stalk through. I don't care about anything in this place besides the people upstairs who hurt Addison.
As I near the office doors, I have to hold myself back from throttling Ford Hughes. He perches behind his desk, his fingers intertwined over the wood as he pinpoints me with a glare.
Addison’s mom, Morgan, lingers near a window as she uses the sleeve of her cardigan to wipe her tears. She doesn't give me a friendly greeting, and I don't blame her. I'm fuming.
“What the fuck did you say to her?” My voice carries across the room, demanding and authoritative.
“Close the door, Kingsley,” Ford commands.
“What. The fuck. Did you say. To her?” I enunciate slowly, because this man must be stupid if he thinks I'm going to listen to a single thing he says.
Ford makes a come-hither motion with his fingers, and I feel a presence at my back.
I glance behind me and take in the burly man standing in the threshold.
He’s older with salt-and-pepper scruff and dark eyes aged with wisdom.
He closes the door, crossing his arms over his chest as if to warn me against trying anything.
I scoff, “What? Are you so scared that you need someone to protect you? He won't stop me.”
“I don't need anyone to protect me,” Ford says easily. “Addison isn't leaving here. She’s under the Northwestern branch’s protection now. You of all people should know those rules are unbreakable.”
Like hell they aren't.
The years of knowledge drilled into me aren't for shits and giggles. I have my own database at my disposal.
I tuck my hands into my pockets, a cocky smirk tugging at my lips. “And you of all people should know there are loopholes.”
Morgan blanches, turning to face Ford. “You said he couldn't take her!”
His jaw ticks, but he doesn't break his death glare at me. “He can't. Not unless they’re married.”
And there it is.
“The nearest courthouse is only five minutes away,” I shrug.
Morgan shakes her head in incredulity. “You can't force my daughter to marry you!”
“I never said I would force her,” I snap.
“Addison is capable of making decisions on her own.
Something the two of you don't seem to fucking grasp.
I don't know what transpired up here while I wasn't around, but listen well. I will gut both of you if that woman so much as utters the words. Tread lightly, and know that the only thing binding you to this Earth is that you have the same blood as the woman downstairs running through your veins.”
“Are you threatening me?” Ford asks.
“It isn't a threat,” I laugh bitterly. “It’s a fucking promise.”
I’ve said my peace with these people. I have nothing left for them, and they aren't worth the strain. As far as I'm concerned, they lost my respect with the first tear Addison shed.
“We’re leaving,” I announce, giving them a heartless wave as I turn back towards the exit. “Addison will be in touch when she’s ready.”
The man blocking my path doesn't move, and he braces a hand across the door as a low, cocky chuckle falls from Ford’s conniving mouth.
“You didn't think I would just let my only daughter go so easily, did you?”
My blood runs cold at the confession.
No wonder Sunshine was so heartbroken.
They fucking lied to her.
But the betrayal takes a backseat as I mull his words over. “Let me through.”
The guard doesn't budge, and my fists tighten at my sides.
“I was only trying to buy a little time…” Ford’s voice trails as I hear footsteps pounding up the stairs. Someone is running with haste, and the facade of this meeting unravels before my eyes.
I shove past the man blocking me from the door, only for it to be ripped open a second later by Dominic.
He’s breathing heavily, his eyes hard and unforgiving. “Logan took her.”
My heart pounds as I slowly peer over my shoulder at the wretched man behind the desk. Ford looks smug, but he won't be for long.
“If even a hair is out of place, I’ll kill you before you can think of escaping this state. You’ve destroyed the line, and blood can no longer save you.” With every timber of my voice, it feels as if my anger could shake the very fabric of this home. With every promise, it’s bound by fate.
And Ford has just sealed his own.