Maxwell stares at me from beyond her shoulder. “I took pity on him. Convinced Ryland we should take him to the hospital. That we should check on him. When he recovered, I was the one to convince Dad we could use someone like him at The Orchid.”
He lifts his gun, his arm unwavering. “I saved his life, and this was how he repaid me. Repaid us.”
“Enough talking. Can we shoot him and get it over with?” Rex growls.
His words trigger something in Lana because she quickly untangles herself from Maxwell.
“No!” She shakes her head. “He’s part of The Association!”
Her words echo against the tall ceilings. The brothers’ faces are grim. Light flickers from the dimly lit sconces, casting looming shadows in the hallway.
“We figured as much,” Rex says. “We never should’ve trusted you.”
His words land like a gut punch. I force myself not to react. This is an outcome I’ve predicted.
But it hurts like a motherfucker.
“Once a snake, always a snake,” Maxwell murmurs. He holds up his gun and cocks it. “Any last words?”
“No, we can’t kill him. The Association will go after you all,” Lana begs, her voice frantic. “In fact…I…we’ll…” She takes a deep breath and straightens while her fingers gnarl against her shirt—myshirt. “We’ll…I…”
She can’t get the words out.
Marrying me is such a nightmare, the normally poised head of PR, someone who always has the words, can’t speak.
Ignoring the sudden pain gripping my chest, I take pity on her. “We’re getting married. In one hour. Here on the premises. I’ve made the arrangements.”
A shocked silence descends on us. Even the crows have stopped crying outside.
Rex is the first to recover. “What did you just say?”
“Lana and I are getting married. That’s the only way for you all to stay alive.”
“Over my dead—” Maxwell shakes as he rises from the wheelchair.
“Sit down,” Lana commands.
She explains the situation with the Berishas—as much as she knows—to her brothers.
“I can’t risk it. The Association is brutal. We saw what they did at the vault. Levi has to grow up with a dad. And you, Rex. You have twins. The cutest little babies. And the others—we can’t risk their lives.” Teary-eyed, she clutches Rex and Maxwell’s hands, imploring them to listen.
“This is the only way,” she whispers.
“I won’t have you sacrifice yourself for us,” Maxwell says.
“We have billions. We can hire the best security and disappear,” Rex agrees.
Ignoring the guilt twisting my gut, I stare at Maxwell. “I want a word with you.Alone.”
“No.” Rex moves in front of his brother.
Eyes narrowed, Maxwell scans my face. I force myself to remain impassive and hold up my hands. I have no intention of hurting him.
“Give us a minute,” he says to Rex.
“You sure—”
“Yes.” Maxwell turns to Lana, his voice thick as he says, “We Andersons stick together. I don’t care what threats are out there. We’ll survive this. You don’t need to sacrifice yourself.”
