Page 95 of Mark

When they leave, Esther begins to cry. “I thought he was going to hurt me, Mum.”

Mum gives her a stern look. “You should be more careful of your movements.”

“It was an accident,” she cries. “Why don’t you believe me?”

“Maybe because everything that comes out of your mouth is bullshit,” Mark snaps.

“Son, calm down,” Maverick warns.

“No. She picked an easy target. I bet Lily even apologised to you even though she didn’t do anything,” he remarks sharply.

Esther’s shoulders slump. “It really was an accident. I didn’t realise I stuck my leg out that much. I will apologise again.”

“Don’t go near my sister again,” Mark warns.

“Honey, why don’t you go and find Danny and maybe stay out of everyone’s way.”

“You believe them?” she accuses.

“She had grazes,” Mum points out. “You’ve not exactly made the situation better when you’ve done nothing but treat them so poorly.”

Esther glares at me. “Let me guess, you’ve been trying to turn them against me. I knew you would at some point,” she accuses. “My honeymoon is ruined because of you. She probably tripped up on purpose so he would have an excuse to ditch you, like all the men in your life do.”

“Freya hasn’t done anything,” Mum scolds sharply. “Now leave. Give people space to calm down.”

Esther bursts out in tears before leaving. Dad scrubs a hand down his jaw. “We’re so sorry about your daughter. If it wasn’t an accident, we will make sure nothing happens again.”

Maverick nods. “Please make sure nothing else does. I can’t promise my nieces won’t retaliate if she tries something again. We are protective of Lily.”

“We promise,” Mum replies.

He glances at Mark. “I’ll be with your mum and sisters when you’re ready.”

He leaves, and Mum and Dad step closer to each other. “We are sorry about your sister, Mark. She looked pretty shaken up. I hope she will be okay.” When he doesn’t reply, Mum turns tome. “We will go find your sister and talk to her. We’ll also issue a warning to stay away.”

I nod, but my gaze falls on Mark as they leave. I’ve never seen him like this. His hands are still clenched into fists at his sides and his breathing is heavy. I’m scared to breathe, to talk to him. I’m afraid he hates me now. I’m the reason Lily was targeted after all. I wouldn’t blame him.

“I’m so sorry,” I choke out.

“She didn’t deserve that.”

“No, she didn’t,” I whisper.

He drops down in the chair, and I follow, sitting back in my own seat. “It wasn’t an accident.”

“I don’t think it was either,” I admit softly.

He meets my gaze. “You do realise no matter what my dad and uncles say, my cousins won’t let her get away with it. They won’t beat her up, but they’ll make her wish they did.”

I realise then that he’s waiting for me to stand up for her. I shrug, tilting my head. “Just let me know if there’s something I can do to help.”

He nods, like he’s pleased with the answer. “We should go up and make sure everyone is okay.”

“I don’t think they will want me there,” I reply. “I’m surprised you’re still here. You don’t need to be nice about it. I won’t hold it against you if you want to leave.”

“One, my family love you. Of course they want you there,” he argues. “Secondly, it will take more than your sister to scare me off.”

I tilt my head to the side. “That was before Esther hurt Lily. I’m technically the reason Lily was targeted.”

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