“No, not that I can think of.”

“Good. Here’s what I really need to know. If this comes down to a situation where it’s either you or Tom getting hurt, are you okay with us doing what it takes to make sure you’re the one left standing?”

I considered the question. What had started as a potential corporate takeover had become a dangerous minefield with far higher stakes. Enemy forces were circling, and things could get ugly.

“Yes.” I felt the word deep in my heart. I didn’t want anything to happen to Tom, but it was time to put myself first. “As long as you remember that he’s my brother and regardless of what he’s done, I care about him.”

He nodded. “We’ll make sure he survives, but there’s a good chance his life is going to burn down around him.”

I managed to nod. Tom had exposed me to danger without much forethought. He was out for himself, and that meant I needed to be too.

“Now that we’ve got that out of the way,” Zeke said, drawing my attention away from Ronan, “why do you think Adrian Petrov wants you as well as the company?”

“He’s an old creep,” I answered. “He’s been showing interest in me since I was barely legal. I don’t know if it’s an ego thing or what, but maybe he figured he may as well see me thrown into the deal. Tom has dropped a few hints about him lately, but I’ve always ignored them.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Ronan

If my jaw got any tighter, it might snap.

Adrian Petrov was at least thirty years older than Willow, and he’d been leering at her since she was a teenager? That was not fucking okay. Nor was the fact that Tom hadn’t done anything about it.

“Of course you ignored them,” I growled. “Nobody can force you to marry someone you don’t want to.”

If I had my way, Tom would never be able to upset her again. She deserved better.

“I know. Apparently, he hasn’t gotten the message.” She looked around the room. “Thank you. All three of you. I appreciate what you’re doing for me more than words can say, and I’m sorry about what I tried to do when I started with the company.”

Kade’s cheeks flushed, and Zeke smirked. Neither of them seemed to know how to respond.

“I mean it,” she added. “Other than Sage, nobody has had my back like this since Dad died.”

Kade and I exchanged a look that said we’d both like to introduce her brother to our fists. General human decency shouldn’t have been something to celebrate.

Zeke ran a hand through his shaggy hair. “You said this guy Petrov has been sniffing around you for years. Is it possible he set the whole thing up so Tom would hand you over without a fuss?”

She burst out laughing. I scowled. I didn’t find anything about the situation funny.

“God, no,” she exclaimed. “He’s a creep, and I’m sure he’s taking advantage of his chance, but it’s not like he’s obsessed with me or anything. I’m just a pretty accessory he’d like to wear on his arm. Perhaps a way to one-up Dad from beyond the grave. They were business rivals.”