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“Language,” he growls, and part of me longs to step in front of her, to protect her from his harsh tone.
I shake myself off before finding Isla’s gaze on me. “You can’t want to go through with this, right?”
“It doesn’t really matter what he wants. He owes us.”
“Because he’s the reason Aunt Clarissa is dead!” she cries. “You want to send me off with the man who’s responsible for your sisters’ death? Is that what you want for me?”
Her words cut deep, deeper than I would ever admit to anyone, but fuck do they hurt. It takes a lot to hurt a man like me, but for some reason, the little spitfire in front of me pointing out the worst mistake of my life is like she’s taking a fucking knife straight to my heart.
“He can keep you safe,” Edward argues, and I can see her next response coming a mile away because she’s trying to hurt me. And him. She’s doing her darndest to put a halt on this plan any way she can, and acting like a fucking brat is one way to go about it.
“Like he did your sister?” she challenges, and I take a step back. I shouldn’t be here for this conversation. It’s between the two of them, and I’m just the poor sap who’s going to be stuck with her as a wife if I can’t find an alternative.
Edward doesn’t even flinch, telling me he’s already made peace with this decision.
Just how long has he been considering this?
And surely I’m not the only option. I still can’t understand why one of the Hayes boys doesn’t just marry her. They’re more than capable of keeping her safe, and that way she wouldn’t have to uproot her entire life and move halfway across the country.
“You will do as you’re told, Isla. This is not up for discussion.” His tone is flat and heartless, so far removed from the man I grew up with. The one who helped the kids who got bullied and did community service on the weekend around whatever sport he was playing at the time. Am I the reason he grew so cold? By driving Clarissa to her death?
“I’m an adult,Dad.You cannot make me marry anyone, and the fact you would think you could is so fucked up.”
His eyes flash with anger, and I’m striding toward them before he can make his next move. I’d never have expected violence from my best friend, but it’s clear he’s not the same person I grew up beside.
I position myself between him and Isla, making sure she’s blocked from his gaze. “That’s enough,” I bark. “You insisted I fly here to hear this ridiculous plan of yours, but it’s clear Isla doesn’t want this, and while you might think I’m a vile piece of shit, there are some lines I won’t cross.” I turn to the raven-haired temptress behind me and mask my intrigue. She’s too fucking young.
Rough hands grasp onto my shoulders, and although I could overpower almost any man, he catches me by surprise and slams me into the wall. His forearm presses into my chest, giving him the illusion he has me trapped, when in reality I could throw his ass to the ground without breaking a sweat.
“I will not allow you to be the reason my daughter dies the same way my sister did,” he spits.
“From where I’m sitting, it was your actions that got your daughter into this mess, and you’re expecting me to bail you out of it.” I shove him backward and prowl toward the front door. I’ve heard enough. This was a waste of my time and his because this plan he’s concocted is ridiculous, and I refuse to force a woman to marry me. Especially when it’s clear she hates my very existence.
I’m about to fling the front door open when I hear the telltale sound of a gun cocking, and my hand pauses on the handle. Neither Edward nor Isla have had time to follow me, which means…
The shot hits my ears before I notice the hole in the door, and before I can think better of it, I’m running back toward the lounge room.
As soon as Isla comes into view, I shove her behind me, backing us away from the front of the house. Spade isn’t sloppy, so if there’s someone at the front of the house, there’s a good chance we’re surrounded.
CHAPTER SIX
ISLA
I’ve never heard a gunshot before, but I know without a shadow of a doubt that’s what that was.
I haven’t even had a chance to take a step back when Doc comes charging back into the room, his eyes set on me as he prowls toward me.
He shoves me behind him, putting himself between me and whatever the hell is about to happen, and for the first time I wonder if maybe he’s not the demon my parents sold him as. I’ve only ever heard one side of the story, but whose fault is that? He disappeared right after the funeral, never to be seen or heard from again.
Another shot fills the otherwise quiet house, and I barely swallow the yelp that claws up my throat. I’m not sure I’d ever be prepared for this kind of situation considering I’ve lived such a sheltered life, but after saving my best friend from being kidnapped, the complete lack of sleep, and the comedown from pills and vodka, my nerves are shot.
“Stay behind me, spitfire,” Doc says quietly, and I snap my eyes up to the back of his head. What the hell did he just call me?
I don’t have time to think about that too hard before the front door slams open, the bang so loud that I grab hold of the back of Doc’s shirt out of instinct.
Oh my god.
This is really happening.
