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  Still, he hadn’t claimed her the first time he saw her or even mentioned his feelings to anyone. He was all alone in his devotion to Emma.

  No other woman had been part of his life.

  Of course, his brothers were always riding his ass about the fact he was not after another chick, but so what. Emma entered his life at the same time he brought about the truth of Gabriel. Everything had been fucked up, but now it was all settling down.

  The thing was, the days without going to see her, made him feel sick to his stomach.

  He was off his game and postponing the inevitable. Emma was no closer to wanting to know him, and he’d fucked up. He shouldn’t have been giving her time, but he had, and now he was fucked, because if he didn’t take her soon, he was freaking out about what the consequences were going to be. He’d not spoken to his dad about this either.

  Driving across the city, he found the spot where her bag was, the little red dot vibrating. He found a parking space across from the café. Turning off his ignition, he turned to look at her. She was sitting near the window.

  It looked like she had a milkshake that she was sipping from and turning the page of a book.

  He saw the happiness in her eyes, and for a few seconds, he just watched her, soaking in everything, and he noticed her deep purple hair for the first time. He couldn’t help but smile. From some of the reports he’d gotten about her, she’d been buying hair dye for several weeks and had yet to pick a color. He liked it.

  Unable to help himself even for a second, he climbed out of his car, and headed across the road. It was dark now, and even if she thought she was alone, she wasn’t. He had guys stationed nearby. He paid them to be her shadow.

  Wherever she went, they went.

  Entering the café, he pretended not to notice her. He went straight to the counter, ordering a coffee. She still hadn’t looked up by the time he got his coffee. It would be rude of him to sit all by himself.

  “Well, well, well, if it’s not Emma Colton, all alone in the big bad world.”

  She let out a little squeal and a jump.

  “Gideon, you scared me. What are you doing here?” she asked, gathering her books into a neat pile.

  He saw the cover of the first book. It was some kind of tourist guide for England.

  “Working late. I needed some coffee. You know, same old, same old.”

  “What brings you here? You’re not going to do anything dangerous here, are you?”

  He laughed. “Yeah, I’m going to sit opposite a crazy person, drink my coffee, and pretend I know what the fuck she’s talking about.” He pulled out a chair and sat down. “You planning on going on a little vacation?” He pointed at the books.

  Her cheeks heated. “No. It’s nothing.”

  “You read travel books for fun? I know Landon loves going to London, but then, he also has a girl there, so we’re all good.”

  “Erm, I don’t … what?”

  “If you ever want to talk about London. Going for a visit. I’ve got an uncle there.”

  “It’s not about visiting actually.”

  He watched as she looked out of the window, and he saw her biting her lip. “I’m wanting to move.”

  Okay, that wasn’t what he was expecting.

  “Move?”

  “Yeah, away from all of this. I know that my brother is part of this life with you guys, and I’m happy for him. Me, I’m just a girl, and I want to live just an ordinary life. Away from the city. I was … I was hoping if I went to your dad I’d be able to explain it better. Especially if I had a plan in place. You know, a job, and stuff like that.”

  “Your name still brings lots of enemies.”

  “I want to change my name. Obviously, keep Emma, but you know, I don’t have to remain a Colton. What do you think?”

  That he was well and truly fucked because she looked so happy about it.

  Chapter Two

  Gideon always seemed to be in the right place at the right time when she needed him. Emma smiled across the table, waiting for an answer. He didn’t look at her like she’d lost her mind, so that was a plus. She didn’t know what else to say as she waited for him, sipping her milkshake as she did.

  He ran a finger across his lip and took a large gulp of his steaming hot coffee.

  “We’re talking moving away forever, right?”

  She nodded. “A fresh start.”

  “Do you mind me asking why?”

  “Because this isn’t the place I want to be. I think there’s a chance for me to get out of here. You know, to not have to worry about everything else, and I want to take it. I don’t want to be working for your father for the rest of my life, or waiting for someone. I just want to be free. That’s what I want.”

  “You want to be free?” he asked.

  “I know it sounds bad. I’m grateful for all that you’ve done.”

  “You just don’t want to be here anymore?”

  “It’s not about that.” She glanced toward the books. He didn’t get it. She didn’t think he would. If he didn’t though, she doubted her brothers would. They were all about banding together.

  Didn’t they get it?

  They had a place within this new family.

  She didn’t.

  Sure, she hung out with the wives, and Charlotte, and even Tamsin. She hated to think about it, but out of all of the women, Tamsin was the only one she felt any real connection to. The youngest Denton seemed to get it. She had a clue. No one else did though.

  “Forget it. It’s nothing.”

  “It’s not nothing. You really care about this stuff.”

  “It’s more than just this stuff.”

  “Emma, talk to me. You want out of the city or out of the Denton life?”

  “Both,” she said. “Look, what you and your family have done for me is amazing. Honestly, I really appreciate it, but this is not the life I ever wanted, and now I’ve got a chance and I want to take it.”

  “Have you talked about this with your brothers?”

  “Not yet. I know there’s a lot to work through, and I don’t have everything figured out yet.”

  “How soon are you wanting to do this?” Gideon asked.

  “Within the next couple of months.” She hadn’t thought about it that much. It had been a passing fancy, but now that she was actually considering it, really thinking about it, she couldn’t bring herself to stop. Would it be so bad to do this, to have a plan, to finally leave all of this behind?

  She wanted to go, and the more she thought about it, the happier it made her feel.

  “Don’t make any rash decisions though. Take your time.”

  “You’re not going to try and talk me out of it?” she asked.

  “Of course not, why would I do that? It’s something you want.”

  “You don’t look happy about it either.”

  She watched as he rubbed his fingers across his forehead, looking really deep in thought.

  “I guess, with everything going on, I never considered leaving this life.”

  She chuckled. “I’m not asking you to leave, silly. I’m thinking about, you know, going by myself. Being away from it all. Owen and Wyatt, they love being here, you know. It’s their place. Where they feel comfortable being. Me, not so much. I know they’ll try to talk me out of it, and I don’t want that.”

  “Not even when your parents were alive?”

  “I thought about running away so many times. I mean, my dad was a monster, and he was always looking around for the next big power thing. He was all about wealth and power. Anything he could do to get his hands on it, he wanted it.” She shrugged. “I guess, it was just always a little scary. My mom told me that as a woman in this world, I didn’t have any power of my own. My dad would pick my life for me. I’d have to smile and just take it. That’s what we do. I remember asking her about love. She told me that love is for fools who think it exists.”

  “Do you want to believe in love?” he asked.

  “I kn
ow it exists. I’ve seen it in people’s eyes, you know. That dreamy look that always comes to them when they see a loved one.”

  “I know love exists.”

  She looked at him and smiled. “Is this about your curse?” She’d heard all about the Denton family legacy or curse. Owen and Wyatt were teasing Gabriel about it. She didn’t see what was such a curse about finding the woman you love.

  It certainly made life a lot easier to know the woman that would be yours for the rest of your life.

  “You know about the Denton curse?” he asked.

  “Why do you call it a curse? That I don’t get.”

  “But you know about it?”

  “I know that for a Denton the moment they meet their woman there is this instant connection. They know she is meant to be theirs, and it’s a whole big deal. No other woman would do, yadda yadda.”

  “How about this—the woman doesn’t have a clue.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Exactly what I said. She doesn’t have a clue that this guy is literally drooling after her. It’s like she doesn’t even know he exists.”

  “That can’t be right. Surely she’d know or have an inkling or something. We’re talking about love here.”

  “Yeah, we are, and from what I’ve seen, it’s not that simple.”

  She sighed. “So, you guys have to work harder to win her over?”

  “Pretty much.”

  “I bet you feel so victimized because of it.”

  “You’re teasing me right now.”

  “Not at all. I’m just finding the entire thing funny.”

  “Why?” he asked.

  “Because it’s always the woman that has to do everything around here. You know. We’re the ones that fall in love, and you guys hate it. It’s cool to know it’s the other way around. So, have you found your woman?”

  She liked Gideon. He was an asshole, but he didn’t try to hide that fact. He embraced who he was and to hell with anyone who told him any differently.

  Her brothers didn’t exactly like him, but that was fine. He always seemed to appear whenever she needed him, like now.

  “When will you tell your family that you’re leaving?” Gideon asked.

  “You completely changed the subject there. What are you not telling me?”

  “My romantic intentions are not a problem. A possible fallout is.”

  “Why would my leaving be cause for a possible fallout?”

  “Your brother.”

  “What would Owen or Wyatt have to do with anything?”

  “I’m not talking about them.”

  “What would Gabriel have to do with anything?” she asked. “He’s found his place in the world.”

  “You no longer see him as a brother.”

  “We’re half brother and sister.”

  “You’ve both got the same mother.”

  “Look, I’ve got no problem with Gabriel, okay? It’s fine. More than fine. I’m happy for him. He’s always had this missing connection thing going on, and Mom was always scared around him when she was alive. It’s fine. Honestly.” She felt like her oldest brother had found his way and she’d lost hers.

  Staring down at the travel books, she felt a new hope, a spark that had long since died. Could she really do it? Leave everything behind that she once knew?

  Deep in her heart she knew she could. This was not her life anymore, hadn’t be for some considerable time now.

  “Go out with me,” he said, taking her by surprise.

  “What?”

  “You heard me. Tomorrow night. You and me, nothing else.”

  “Is this where you convince me to stick around?” she asked.

  “It’s where I try and give you a good time. A lot of stuff went to shit in the past couple of years, and I imagine you’ve been pushed aside while that has happened. I bet you’ve not even had fun in such a long time.”

  She blew out a breath.

  “What is fun?” The few dates she’d been on had been lackluster. “I think I should warn you.”

  “What about?”

  “About me. I’ve been on a couple of dates, and they’ve been really boring. Really flat. I don’t know if it’s me or just what I’m like or something else. I may be bad at dating.”

  “That is not possible. Never take responsibility for a bad date.”

  She pushed some hair out of her face. She needed to get it cut. “Okay, what should I blame it on?”

  “The guy. If you’re bored, they’re boring.”

  She chuckled. “And what if I’m the boring one?”

  “Not possible.”

  “I think I like you, Gideon Denton.”

  “I know for a fact I like you, Emma Colton.”

  “A Denton and a Colton going on a date, what is the world coming to?”

  ****

  “You know you won’t make her fall in love with you looking like that,” Tamsin said from the doorway.

  Gideon stared at his very bratty teenage sister. Her arms were folded, and she looked so pissed off with everything and the world. He figured it had to do with the extra protection their father had placed on her as she got older. Also, she’d started to cause fights in school, and everything about her personality right now screamed attention.

  “Love you too, sis.”

  “Have you told her yet that she’s your one and only?” Tamsin stepped into the room and bounced down on the bed. She wore a pair of sweats and a large shirt. Her hair hadn’t been brushed either.

  “You’re still going through your rebellion against Mom about looking like a slob.”

  “Ha-ha, I see you’re not answering my question.”

  “You don’t know who I’m going on a date with tonight.”

  “Oh, please, I’m the only Denton around here who doesn’t have my head up my own ass. I see the way you look at Emma. I know she’s your one true love, and it is so sweet and cute.” She pressed her hands together, batting her eyes. “It’s gross.”

  “Is this because you’ve got no boyfriend calling for you?”

  “Ugh. I heard Mom and Dad the other day talking about who’d make a good match for me.”

  “They planning on marrying you off?”

  “They wish. If they think I’m going to do as I’m told, they really don’t know me at all.”

  “They clearly don’t,” Gideon said. “Why are you here?”

  “Landon’s on the phone with his little British princess. Mom and Dad are making up after another fight. You’re the only other person here, and I’m tired of walking around this house with a shadow.”

  Gideon had noticed she slammed his door shut.

  “It’s for your own protection.”

  “No, it’s for their protection. Even Mom thinks it’ll be a good idea to marry me off when I’m eighteen. Ugh, I hate our parents.”

  “That’s pretty strong words.”

  “So, you want me to curse and add a few more.”

  “There’s a lot of hatred inside you right now. It’s not healthy.”

  “You know what’s not healthy, pretending to not be in love with a woman you clearly are. Emma deserves to know the truth.”

  Gideon sat on the edge of the bed. He’d never considered himself close to Tamsin. Out of all of his brothers, he was the only one that wasn’t always screaming at others to treat her like a girl, like a baby. The youngest of the family she may be, but Tamsin had a fire inside her everyone refused to see.

  “Emma’s wanting to leave.”

  “The city?”

  “Yes, all of it behind,” he said.

  There was a short pause. He expected a catty response.

  “Can you do that?” she asked instead.

  “I guess so. Emma doesn’t have any connections here. Her family is all but dead. I know we can make it work for her to disappear. Change her name. She didn’t make any enemies; her name did.”

  “So … running away, changing your name, and starting afresh, that’s even possi
ble?” Tamsin asked.

  “Of course it is. No one would know who you were. I can see the benefit of it.” He’d never wanted to be away from this life, but he wanted Emma more. This life was dangerous. They dealt with life and death every single day. Most of the time, it was death. There was always a chance someone would try to betray them.

  “I never really thought of it like that, you know, getting away. Will you let her go?”

  “That, I can’t tell you.”

  “You’d be selfish enough to keep her here where she doesn’t want to be?”

  “She doesn’t know I’m in love with her yet. That could change everything.” He pulled on his jacket. “So, out you go. I’m sure you’ve got some homework to do.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Good luck with your date. I like Emma. She’s a good woman.”

  He winked at her, and Tamsin left the bedroom.

  Whistling to himself, he didn’t bother to say bye to his parents. For the time being he was at home because his apartment was being redecorated, but that wouldn’t last forever.

  Climbing into his car, he made his way across town to Emma’s apartment, which she shared with her brothers. The moment he parked, he was pissed off. He didn’t have time to get out of his car before Emma had opened the door. He’d spotted her waiting on her apartment steps. Anything could have happened.

  Now he was pissed.

  “Why didn’t you wait for me inside your apartment?” he asked.

  “Why would I do that? My brothers are inside.”

  “I can handle your brothers.”

  “I don’t want you to get pulled into playing their fighting game. They like you, Gideon, and they don’t like me dating, so it means they’re going to try and stop this date.”

  He saw her cheeks were heating. “You want to go on this date?”

  “Yes. Of course, I do. Why wouldn’t I want to? You promised me a good date. I’m kind of excited about it.”

  “Okay, good.” He gripped the steering wheel. “It’s not safe for you to be waiting on the doorstep like that. I’d have liked to be the perfect gentleman and helped you.”