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?”