“I need to find out what Richard did with it,” There’s no reason to lie to her, but it is unlikely he did anything other than use it to get to me.
“What if–”
“There is no what if,” I cut her off, “He can’t hurt you, not here.”
She worries her bottom lip and then nods slowly, “Okay.”
Malakai scrubs a hand across his mouth as he paces back and forth in my living room. Sloane sits in the chair by the window while the other guys take the sofa, and I hover behind her, explaining the whole thing to Malakai.
He cuts his eyes to me, “Does he think he can justtakeit?”
I shrug, “The man is dangerous, but he is also an idiot.”
“That’s why he’s dangerous, because he has no logic and no reasoning,” Sebastian grumbles. “Should have taken him down months ago.”
The relationship between the Taylor Organization and the Farrows has always been tense. Richard has always wanted what Malakai has, but it’s simply unreachable for him.
He takes without truly seeing the full picture or the consequences that come from the decision. Malakai looks to Sloane, his posture softening toward her. I’d told them about the call and what had happened to Sloane, with her approval. They’d know I wouldn’t just go to Richard without reason and needed to understand the full threat.
And they understand because any one of them would do the same thing if it were their woman.
“What happened to you,” He begins, and I see her stiffen so I offer her the only comfort I can give her right now and slide my hand across her shoulder, “It’s unacceptable, and if you’ll allow, I’d like to work with you to rectify the situation.”
A sudden burst of laughter erupts from Sloane, which has every set of eyes turning to her, mine included.
“I’m sorry,” She waves her hand but continues to laugh, “It’s just the way you said it!”
Malakai turns a frown in my direction. I shrug because I’ve no idea.
“It’s just that you can’t justrectifyit. I appreciate it, I truly do, but it isn’t something to be rectified.”
“Well, why not?” Bast frowns at her.
“Because he was never caught, and it’s never that easy.”
“It doesn’t mean we cannot try,” Killian tells her softly. I see it now, how his view on her has changed, morphed into understanding now that he knows why she is the way she is.
She’s being pulled into the fold, an addition to the ever-growing family we’ve all created.
“But why?” She sobers, “You have your own problems.”
“Because when one of us is wronged, itbecomesour problem,” Malakai tells her. “And we fix it.”
“You have your own problems,” She continues, but her eyes have glazed over.
“You’ll get it,” Malakai chuckles, “One day, you’ll get it.”
Her face turns to me, and I can’t help but lean down to plant a tender kiss on the corner of her mouth.
“Now, back to Richard,” Bast sits forward, a smirk pulling at his mouth, “Please tell me I get to do it, ‘cause I’ve had a scratch that I haven’t been able to itch for too long.”
Malakai chuckles, “You’ll have to ask Dean.”
“You can have him, brother,” I tell him, “Just make it hurt.”
Sebastian claps his hands together and then rubs his palms, “You know quick ain’t my style, Dean. Now, tell me what we’re going to do.”
Later that night, I have Sloane tucked against me, every naked inch of her touching every inch of me.
