Banks

There’s not a lot in this world that scares me. Shit, I’ve worked with some of the deadliest viruses known to man, but the second the front door opens and I see Lawson fucking Jefferson standing there, a vicious grin stretched across his pompous ass face, it isn’t fear, but terror that strikes through my chest.

“I think you have something of mine. And I’ve come to take it back.” Lawson’s dark gaze is trained on Tia.

On my wife.

The strength and hope that had been in her eyes a moment before, seem to crumble and she takes a step back like his words are a physical blow. She’s already been through so damn much, and even though we all knew this was a possibility, I don’t think any of us are ready for what’s about to transpire.

I’m about to go to Tia but Emerson and Giles are already there, creating a shield of brawny strength around her. But no amount of muscle will be able to protect her from the wolf that lurks in the doorway.

For a long moment everyone, including Fallon, who never seems to be at a loss of fighting words, is shocked into silence.

Lawson takes a step into the house, one brow drawn up as he looks between us, sizing each of us up. He isn’t a big man, closer to Huxley’s height with not as much muscle, but he emits power. It radiates from him. I’ve known men like him my entire life. They take and take without a care of who they’re hurting. And from the look in Lawson’s eyes, I can tell he’s enjoying this, the pain he’s about to inflict.

But something is odd about the man being here. Other than the two guards he left outside, the man is alone. Not exactly smart considering he just walked into the house of six men willing to do anything to protect their wife.

Technically, Tia belongs to him. Bought and paid like property. Not even Alaskan law can protect her from a man like Lawson. And even though I hate that she lied to us, I understand why she did and why she ran.

Lawson Jefferson is a snake. A ruthless, devouring predator who will strike at the heart of his prey.

But if he came here to take Tia away, to claim her, then where are the police, or Salinger’s father? He would be here with papers and a warrant if this was an official reclamation.

“Christina,” he says her real name like it’s a weapon. “You’ve been a very bad girl,” he smirks. “It’s a good thing that I like a chase.”

Yes, the man is a predator, but something at the back of my skull warns me that it isn’t just Tia who’s his prey. At least, not anymore. He wants something.

“You won’t take her without a fight. She’s our wife,” Fallon growls out, fingers forming into fists at his side.

“Technically, that’s not true, is it, darling?” Lawson keeps his gaze rested on Tia who takes a shaky breath.

“Our marriage may not be legally binding,” she says, tilting her chin at him. “But these men are my husbands in every way that matters.”

His lips curl up into a snarl and he takes a step towards her, but Fallon catches his arm.

“Careful,” Lawson says, glancing down at where Fallon has a hold of him. “I have every intention of making this civil, but I can make this very bad for all of you.”

“I’ll go with you, just leave them alone,” Tia says, her voice catching on the last word.

Always so damn self-sacrificing. It’s both a strength and a fatal flaw, one that keeps getting her into trouble.

“Tia,” different voices say her name, each as a warning, each desperate, each willing to sacrifice their own life for her.

They love her. All fucking five of them. And because of it, they’re blinded to what I see.

Lawson isn’t here for her.

“What do you want?” I ask, stepping forward.

Lawson turns to me, and he steeples his hands in front of his lips.

I meet his gaze unwavering, as an equal. I was raised in his world and I see the flicker of recognition in his eyes.

“Banks Montgomery,” he says, chuckling. “I’d heard rumors that you’d fled to Alaska. How far great men fall.”

I feel the looks I get from the others and ignore them. They have no idea who my family is, who I really am. It’s not a secret, just something I don’t like to share.

“I asked you a question,” I say, not wavering. “Why are you really here? Because I have a feeling it isn’t for Tia.”

He laughs in the back of his throat. “I heard you were the smart one.”

I grunt.

Lawson sits down on the couch, one arm slung over the back, ankle resting on his knee. “I could use a scotch.”

No one moves.

“Salinger,” I say, silently telling him to get it.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” Sal says, eyes widening incredulously.

I give a harsh shake of my head and he finally turns with a grumble and heads to the study.

“Sit. Relax. We have so much to discuss,” Lawson says, clearly enjoying the game he’s playing.

And it is a game. Even if the others don’t see it.

The other men remain standing as I take a chair across from him, mirroring his posture.

I catch Tia’s gaze, the confusion and fear there furrowing her brow. But she can’t be my concern right now. At least, not to comfort her. Someone needs to keep their head straight and not be ruled by fucking emotion. I can feel it from all of them. The need to lash out, to fight, to protect. I see the way their fingers clench into fists and how their muscles tense.

But the game Lawson is playing won’t be won by physical strength.

“You want something,” I say.

Lawson taps a finger on his knee before answering. “I want what I paid for.”

Fallon takes a step forward. “What kind of sick bastard are you to think you can buy a person?”

“Everything is for sale. Do you really think this whole sham of a marriage is any different? You paid for a wife. It’s unfortunate that she already belonged to me.”

There’s no denying it. In a court of law, we would lose.

Lose Tia.

“I’ll never love you,” Tia says. “I’ll go with you. But my heart will always be here.”

He chuckles. “Darling, it’s not your heart I want. These men can keep it.”

Salinger returns and shoves a glass of amber liquid at him. “If you do this. If you take her. I promise you, you’ll be declaring war with Alaska.”

Lawson just grins. “Ah, you must be Miriam’s son.”

“You know my mother?”

“I know of her and her...” he pauses as he takes a sip of his scotch, “…little project.”

And there it is, the spark in the man’s eyes. The tell.

“The list?” Salinger mutters.

I’ve known for awhile about Miriam Ward’s project to compile a database of fertile women. A list that contains crucial medical and personal information that could possibly help in finding a solution to our now critical population crisis.

But in the wrong hands, like Lawson Jefferson’s, the list could be used for all sorts of harm.

Miriam started her project with the women who came here seeking refuge. Blood types, fertility rates, pretty much every fucking thing there is to know about them. Information that if it was leaked, could have men like Lawson reclaiming their property.

It would mean the collapse of everything Alaska stands for, has fought for.

“I want it.” Lawson looks back at me, gaze holding mine.

“Why the hell would I give it to you?” Salinger says.

“Because I own something you want.”

His cards are on the table.

“You want to trade Tia for the list,” I say.

His lips twitch, and he nods.

“Done,” Fallon says, a little too quickly. He looks at Salinger. “Whatever this fucking list is, just give it to him.”

“No.” Tia rubs her temples. “You’d be trading my freedom for the lives of others. I can’t let you do that.”

“It’s not your choice,” Fallon growls out.

Sometimes, it takes all my strength not to hit the asshole.

Tia glares at him. “Even if I’d allow it. Salinger doesn’t have the list.”

“But I can get it.” Salinger shoves his hands in his pockets and frowns at Lawson. “It would take some time.”

“Two months,” Lawson says. “I’ll give you that.”

“No.” Tia shakes her head.

Ignoring her, Lawson finishes the rest of his drink. “Two months or I claim what’s mine. And trust me, darling, I’ll get that list with or without your help.”

“Salinger, you can’t be thinking about this--”

“Tia,” I say, my voice low, hard, commanding. “Don’t argue about this.”

She looks at me. And I see that damn weakness of hers blazing like the fucking sun. Self-sacrificing. Noble. Too fucking brave for her own good.

But there’s another solution. Two months may not be enough time to set it in place, but it’s worth the risk.

I glance back at Lawson, and say, “Two months and we’ll have it for you.”

Lawson’s smirk broadens. “Smart choice.”

“What about her father?” I ask.

“He doesn’t know she’s here. And I won’t tell him. Once you have what I want, I’ll sign her over to you.”

I cringe inwardly at the way he so casually talks about Tia like she’s something to be bought and sold.

Lawson stands, and I do the same.

He gives Tia a salacious grin. “And don’t even think about running, sweetheart. I have men all over this place, and I’ve given them strict orders to take each one of your husbands down if you so much as look like you’re thinking about taking off.”

Tia sucks in a shaky breath and her face pales. That’s one threat I know she won’t gamble with, and he obviously knows it too, because he gives her a satisfied smirk.

As soon as the door shuts on him, there’s a collective sigh, and the tension that had kept each of the men standing seems to drain from the room. They begin to collapse on the couches, against walls. Only Tia continues to pace.

“Do you have any idea about the deal you just made?” She points a finger at my chest.

“You mean the one that just saved your life?”

“My life wasn’t in danger.”

“You obviously don’t know the man you were engaged to. Or the games he plays. His tastes are dark. And sweetheart, you would not survive.”

I see a small tremble roll through her. Good. She should be afraid. Of Lawson. And of me. Because I understood better than anyone here exactly what drives the man.

“I can’t let others suffer because of me.” Her words are conflicted, her eyes filled with worry.

So damn beautiful. And if I was any other man, I’d pull her into my arms and comfort her. But I need to keep my distance, especially now.

“And you won’t let Lawson hurt the men you love,” I say, knowing the truth, but also knowing that I’m not one of them.

She doesn’t love me.

Hell, I’m not sure she even likes me. Not that I’ve given her much reason to. I’ve been reserved and standoffish, but for good reason. I knew she was hiding something.

Shit, it was easy to tell she came from the same world I did.

But it wasn’t only that. I knew she wasn’t ready to see the side of me that would come out if I ever did claim her properly as my wife.

If I had known she was a virgin, I would never have bid for her. There had been a spark in her eyes, a strength, and curiosity. Something that made me think she’d be able to handle the darker side of her sexuality.

And in a way I was right. The fact that she’s accepted Salinger and Huxley’s brothel proved it. But my desires are even more lecherous than expensive whiskey, cigars, and prostitutes.

Salinger sits on the edge of the couch, shoulders slumped forward. “There’s nothing else we could have done, Tia.”

“Don’t you see how wrong this is?” she mumbles, rubbing her temples.

“Yes,” Giles says, coming behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist. “But Salinger and Banks are right. And we don’t know for sure what he has planned with the list.”

She shakes her head. “Whatever it is, we all know whatever he plans, it’s not good. We can’t give it to him.”

“There’s a way we won’t have to,” I say, all heads turning to me.

Fallon shoves his hands in his hair. “If we leave tonight, I can fly us further north, there’s a small fishing village that--”

“Now that he knows she’s here, there’s no way we can run,” Huxley says, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“She won’t have to run, ever again, if my plan works.” I hold Tia’s gaze, knowing she’s not going to like what I’m about to say.

“What plan is that?” she asks, distrust in her eyes.

My lips twist up. “The plan is to get you pregnant.”