Emma left the kitchen.
She’d heard enough of marriage proposals.
Her hatred of Maddox Denton was growing every single day. She couldn’t stand him.
Rounding the corner, she came to a stop when she saw Tamsin, back against the wall, clearly listening in on her parents’ conversation.
She was so pale. Tamsin put a finger against her lips.
Without saying a word, they left the room, and Emma didn’t allow them to know she had been listening to them.
“You okay?” she asked when they were clear of being heard.
“Peachy. You heard all of that, right?”
“I heard that they were planning to marry you off. I’m sorry.”
“Landon’s girl is dead, and because I’m female, they think they can marry me off. I hate them.”
“Tamsin,” she said.
“It’s okay for you. You’ve got my brother. I wouldn’t be surprised if Dad didn’t find some way of making that work for him as well. Even if you’re not his daughter. I’ve got to go.” Tamsin was trying not to cry, and Emma leaned against the wall, feeling helpless when it came to the two youngest Dentons. What could she do?
Landon was trapped, unless she released him.
Only, he’d try to kill himself, and she knew that.
There’s no way she could allow that to happen.
Tamsin was way too young.
There was nothing she could do.
Entering her own room, she stared at her reflection.
She wouldn’t become another cog in Maddox Denton’s life.
What could she do to help that wouldn’t play into his plans, though?
****
Landon’s pain was real, but for the rest of the Dentons that meant they still had to work. There were still brothels, underground gambling and fighting, the casino, and many other ventures that needed their attention.
As Gideon entered his home, he went to the kitchen, pouring himself a coffee. To add to all the workload, he had blue fucking balls, and it was all his fault. He was the only one to blame.
His mother sat at the counter, looking annoyed.
“Do I even want to know
what’s going on?” he asked.
“We’re having a family gathering with guests in three weeks. I have a list of everything that is needed. I want you to get it for me.”
“A dinner with guests? You think Landon’s going to be ready for company that soon?” he asked.
Landon had his room completely stripped of anything personal. He wasn’t any closer to seeing people than they were of letting him go.
“It’s not for Landon,” Charlotte said.