Page 80 of Scandalous Kingpin
“For Christ’s sake. Between both of you moping like you’re headed for your own funerals, I’m going to lose my fucking cool.”
I drummed my fingers on the glass. “When did you get so fucking dramatic?”
“Since I’ve been getting daily calls from the Irish pricks threatening to kill our entire family, since my wife’s routine of crying herself to sleep began, and since my brother has given up on life altogether. Like I told Juliette, crying—or in your case, stalking—won’t fix this. Do something.”
Fuck, I needed another drink. I raised my hand and flagged the waiter-slash-inn owner for a refill. He appeared within a minute. At least he understood the assignment.
“Christian, are you even listening?”
I snorted. “The whole fucking inn is listening.”
Dante’s face fell and he stood up. “Fair warning: if they catch you on their property or territory after tomorrow, they’ll kill you.”
My jaw clenched and a vein throbbed in my temple. I downed my whiskey and got to my feet. Hope flickered on my brother’s face, but my next words instantly extinguished it.
“I guess I better make the most of tonight.”
I shrugged on my jacket. There was no time to waste; I had a promise to keep.
For better or for worse, she was my wife, and while she might not want to be around me right now, I’d be there for her.
Chapter Thirty-Six
IVY
Icaught a glimpse of a familiar shadow at the forest’s edge and fury blasted through me, shocking me out of my stupor.
The months following my wedding should have been the best time of my life. Instead, they’d been the most heartbreaking. My only distraction from moping around like a brokenhearted, idiotic teenager was my search for my sisters.
And this… thisstalkerof mine who cowered in the shadows.
I was sick of it. Sick of people who didn’t deserve me. Messages upon messages had been pouring in from Juliette, Wynter, Davina… all asking—no, demanding we talk it over. Expecting I should forgive and forget.
Wynter was mad at me because Christian was upset. I understood he was her brother, but what about me? Davina remained neutral, and at this point it agitated me that she refused to pick a side. And Juliette… well, it wasn’t worth getting into it again. She knew what she did.
I was fucking done allowing people to have this kind of hold over me.
Anger and indignation rushed through my veins, compelling me to go out there and face my husband. I forced myself out of bed, took a shower, and brushed my teeth, then stomped out of the bedroom in sweatpants and a hoodie. At the entrance, I shoved my feet into green boots and was just about to make my way outside when my brother’s voice boomed.
“Where are you going?” I slowly turned around to find Aemon’s stoic, watchful face.
“Outside.”
“It’s not a good time.”
I gritted my teeth. Our entire household was aware of Christian lurking in the woods surrounding our estate, but nobody spoke about it. Like if we pretended it wasn’t happening, it might eventually stop.
“I have to talk to him.”
“I’ll come?—”
“Alone.”
A small frown took over his face. “I don’t think?—”
I shook my head. “I mean it, Aemon. This is something I have to do on my own.” I took a deep breath, smothering the snappy comment that fought to make its way out of my mouth. “I appreciate everything you’ve done. I’m so lucky to have brothers who care so much. But this… my husband… my marriage…” Shit, I was getting choked up. “I need to do this. For me. You can watch us from the window if it makes you feel better, but you’ll just have to trust me.”
There was a long bout of silence before my brother finally broke it.
