Page 75 of King of Sinners

She steps between me and him as she turns to Leo, his face mangled from the blows I’ve landed, blood streaming down his chin. “You’ve made your point, Leo,” she says quietly. “But I have one to make too. One I should have said two years ago.”

She draws in a deep breath as she moves to the counter and, one-handed, gets a wad of paper towels, handing it to Leo.

He holds it against his nose. “What’s that?”

She shakes her head. “I was trying to find a way to end things that night at the club.”

Leo drops the paper towels staring at her as his lip curls. “You think I don’t know that? I’m aware you chose him from the moment you met him.”

She shakes her head. “If you’re aware, why were you trying to get me to run away with you?”

“Because…” Leo presses the paper towels to his nose again. “Of all the men in my family, I’m the fuck-up who is exactly like my dad. Everyone knows it. Even you.” His eyes close. “You understood from the second date, didn’t you?”

A moment ago, I hated my brother, but those words make something soften. I can understand feeling like I was going to fall into the same trap our father had, that I was cut from the same cloth.

It’s been tearing him up inside just like it was me.

Charlotte shakes her head. “I don’t know anything about your father, Leo, but I do know you’re not going to get very far fighting against your family. Going it alone is a point of great weakness. Trust me on that.”

Leo’s shoulders droop. “I’m getting advice from you now?”

She turns to me then, and my stomach drops. I can see her face hardening.

“Charlotte,” it comes out like I’m begging. I am.

She shakes her head. “I don’t want to hear whatever Leo wanted you to say, but I don’t think I can stay here either.”

I glare at Leo, any understanding or sympathy gone. “You can’t leave. I told you, if I do one thing it will be to keep you safe.”

“I can’t stay with you,” her breath catches, pain pulling at the lines of her face. “I was only ever…” She grimaces in pain.

I step closer, reaching out a hand, but she winces away.

“She can come stay in the apartment with me and Luke. She’ll still be in the building,” Roman offers. He’s dropped the pistol, but he’s still giving Leo a hard glare.

“And me? Where am I going with the all-families meeting set for tonight?” Leo asks.

“Know about that, do you?” I ask, my fingers itching to pull Charlotte close. She’s drooping, I can see her back curling, her body weakening. I reach for her, but she steps to the side, avoiding my touch. Apparently, she still has energy for that.

“Roman,” I say, my voice hoarse. “Take Charlotte to the couch. She’s in pain.”

“I’ll call the doctor.”

“What are you going to tell him?” Jake asks. “There’s a woman surrounded by four men with a broken shoulder?”

“Broken,” I growl out, losing my focus once again.

“More likely dislocated,” Roman offers as he takes her hand and brings her over to the couch. “I’ve seen it before.”

She sits, wilting to the side. “I’ll tell him we were practicing for our wedding dance,” she says closing her eyes. “I just want it fixed.”

The other men nod, but I’m not satisfied. Not even a little. “I would never hurt?—”

“You’d just give me to your competitors.” Her tone is so bitter, I’m taken aback.

But Roman is looking down at something on the coffee table before he looks up at me. There’s a message in his eyes I don’t understand.

“Leo can go with Jake, who will keep an eye on him.” Roman punches some numbers into his phone. “And I know a doctor who is discreet.”

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