Page 108 of Idaho

"You can always call us, Eva," Amelia said, coming up next to us.

I nodded, hugging her and the rest of my sisters, and brother, as they all came forward to say their goodbyes. It wasn't easy watching them leave the room with their security team following them. A piece of me was leaving with them. But this was what I'd wanted for so long, I couldn't let it slip through my fingers. "You're staying?" I asked, looking over at Thomas, hope swelling in my chest.

"I'm staying," he promised. "Idaho is already working on the paperwork to bring my family here. He's giving me a job." Thomas shook his head. "Looks like we both get a new beginning."

I walked over and gave him a hug. This was a fresh start for us both. And thanks to Idaho, we were going to be able to do so without worrying about failing. I knew he wouldn't allow that to happen. Somehow, I'd found my soulmate, and now the threat of being taken from him was gone.

CHAPTER 37

Idaho

As much as I didn't want to leave Eva upstairs, I knew it was what needed to be done. Her father wasn't going to try anything else. I saw the acceptance in his eyes. I won. And if anything happened, Thomas would be there to protect her. He worked for me now, and I was happy to have him on board. Louis had no idea what he had in Thomas. I did. And I was going to use the man and all his talents to their full potential. When me and my brothers were unable to be around, he would be the first line of defense between Eva and the world. And in return he and his family would want for nothing.

I wasn't going to lock her away in an ivory tower, the way her parents had. That was the quickest way to make sure she resented me. But I had to make sure she was safe at all times. Thomas was how I'd do it. And with her being allowed to make her own decisions, she wouldn't be as keen to send Thomas off so she could do things on her own. They were friends. They cared about one another. And I would make it abundantly clear that she needed to keep him around when I wasn't there. She was still a prominent figure after all.

It would be just as easy for more of her father's enemies, or mine, to use her to get to me. And if that happened then I'd have to eliminate anyone who touched her. That could get tricky to explain. One man going missing, no big deal. More than that? I didn't feel like rotting behind bars. Not when I had my duchess to live my life with.

It was no surprise to me when I got back downstairs and saw Fremont and Lock still arguing. Walking up, I lifted a brow as I stopped next to my brother. "What's the problem here?"

Fremont's eyes flicked between us. There was no shock in his expression, which meant he knew who I was. "I was just telling your brother that we have witnesses that claim he beat a man up badly enough to go to the hospital."

"Your witnesses are wrong," I told him. He opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off. "That was me who sent that guy to the hospital."

"Oh." An evil smile stretched over his face. "Well, in that case, I'll arrest you instead."

I shrugged my shoulders. "You could try, but the men started that fight and we only fought back in self-defense."

"Not according to our witnesses," Fremont replied. "They're saying you started the fight. That you were trying to kidnap Lady Tatiana Desmet, and that you succeeded."

My eyes narrowed as the accusations flew from his mouth. I wanted to wrap my hands around his throat and cut off all air. That would eliminate one problem, but bring so many more down on us. Might be worth it, someday. "Again. They're wrong."

"Well, until this is fully investigated, you're going to have to come with me."

"That's all a lie!"

I looked over my shoulder and met Thomas's sheepish look. It didn't matter how good of a bodyguard he was when his ward was a wayward woman who didn't listen to anyone. And in this case I could kiss her. Eva hurried forward, my brothers making way for her to move through the crowd so she could stand beside us. She must have been listening near the back and as soon as Fremont mentioned arresting me she intervened.

"Who are you?" Fremont asked, looking over at one of his cop buddies. There was recognition on the other man's face—he'd probably done all the research for Fremont—but before he could speak, my old lady did.

"I'm Lady Tatiana Desmet," she replied in a haughty tone. "If you wanted to get the truth, you should have come to me. The men you were speaking to were the people who accosted me. Levi and Reed helped us. Your 'witnesses' tried to physically cart me off, talking about how they were going to 'teach me a lesson', and we all know what that means." She sneered at Fremont. "Does that sound to you like the actions and words of reliable men, Mr...?"

"Fremont," he said. "Ma'am. I'm sure it was a trying night for you. And you're likely not aware of our laws here-"

"Oh," she said with disdain, cutting him off. "So you allow men to kidnap women and threaten them in this country, do you?"

"Well, no."

"But you hold those men who rescue women from a possibly awful fate accountable then?"

"Well...not necessarily."

"Then it sounds to me," she declared, "as though you need to be speaking with those witnesses of yours and ascertaining whether they should be the men who should be put into jail or not." She folded her arms over her chest. "Or, I can explain, quite loudly, to all my dear friends here why you're bothering us and what your friends tried to do to me. And then I can explain to the press how the city of Tucson treats foreign royalty. I'm sure they would love that."

People were staring, some edging closer trying to overhear our conversation. Lock made a motion to the Berserker's guys to move aside and let the people press in closer. We were putting pressure on Fremont.

"That isn't necessary," he told her with a large, fake smile. "With this new information, we'll be sure to go back and speak again with our witnesses." His eyes met mine. "But we'll be back."

"Looking forward to it," I told him with a toothy smile.

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