Page 29 of Freeing Denver

I laugh so loud she covers my mouth, and her grin in that moment could be my entire reason for opening my eyes again. She cuddles into my side, kissing my jaw.

“This better not be a dream.”

I smile. “It’s not a dream, Del. I’m real. You’re real. We’re together. And no one is going to pull us apart ever again.”

I’ll kill anyone who tries.

Chapter 7

Colt

Denver refills my coffee and takes the seat at the dining table by my side. Papers are spread in front of me, detailing everything I need to know about running the McEwan empire. My head is already aching.

I slept for close to two days. A doctor came over, Sebastian, and he said we’d met before, but I don’t remember. He said it isn’t unusual to forget some things, to feel exhausted and even irritated, and tried to insist I rest more.

I wish I fucking could.

But after two days in bed with intermittent visits from Denver when she wasn’t working, I decided enough was enough. I meant what I said—the sooner I get a replacement, the sooner I can get Denver and Holly out of here. So, I’m attempting to ignore the ever-growing headache that feels like splinters hammered into my brain.

Holly is on Denver’s knee, her head on her chest, quiet. She’s not the same kid I remember. She doesn’t smile as often and barely talks, clinging to Denver, me, my mom or Helena. Wilder’s funeral is tomorrow, and she knows it’s some kind of goodbye. She’s calmer now than when we talked about what tomorrow means, and blinks slowly as Denver runs her fingersthrough her hair, listening as Alistair talks me through what I’ve missed.

I wish I could pay attention, but watching Denver and Holly like this does something to my heart. I think I dreamed of them when I was in the coma. I think maybe I saw what we could be, or at least, what I hope we can be.

Holly meets my eye, and I stick my tongue out at her. She smiles and buries her face in Denver’s hair.

“And then there’s also Spider,” Alistair says, finally sitting. He runs his fingers through his hair, and I spy the yellow and black bracelet around his wrist.

Ha. A wasp. Nice.

“Can’t we …” I glance at Holly and choose my words carefully. “Deal with him later?”

“I think his appearance at the funeral means he’s done waiting,” Alistair says. “He paid particular attention to Denver.”

I drape my arm over the back of her chair. I knew Spider would focus on her. He blames her for his son’s death, even though Ranger was the one who killed him and I dumped his body in a hole with a smile on my face.

“I’ll keep on him, but going to San Francisco to speak to Cain will help,” Alistair says. “Speaking of the other coast, have you heard from your husband?”

Denver throws him a glare for using the term. “Axel called this morning to check in. He said Ranger is still in New York.”

It feels like my constant bodily state is tense now, but that doesn’t stop my shoulders from tightening further. Ranger being so close sets my teeth on edge. He tried to kill Denver and Theo, almost killed me, too, and he’s living it up in a hotel in my city.

“Do we still need him?” Denver asks.

Alistair nods. “For now. Colt being back makes things easier, but you’re still the only McEwan head. And that means you can’t be together. Not in public.”

The heads of the families can be old fashioned. A wife leaving one family head for another will not go down well, especially if Ranger has already made an impression. It’ll shake the family name, and things are already delicate enough. They respect me, but they respect their “values” more, and if Ranger twists this into a marital dispute, they’ll likely take his side.

“We get the businesses under control, then you leave Ranger. And hopefully between now and then, Ronan wakes up.” Alistair rubs his head. “You stay as head until he’s able to take over from you.”

Denver meets my eye, concern furrowing her brow. Alistair doesn’t know. No one does. It’s about time they do.

“Ronan isn’t the next in line.” I take a breath before I say it. “I am. Finn was my dad.”

Alistair stares at me, sitting back in his chair and stumbling over his words. “That’s … wait … oh.”

When I first told Denver who my dad was, I said I didn’t want to take Finn’s place when he died. That’s even more true now. It’s so easy to get sucked into this world to the point of no return, and taking Finn’s position could do just that. Just announcing that I’m Finn McEwan’s son will gain me enemies.

“Well, that’s a good thing,” Alistair says, brightening. “I can lead the Harland family. You lead the McEwans. Ranger isn’t needed. Problem solved.”