Kitty: Bride of Hawaii (American Mail-Order Bride 50) (12 page)

“You’re a fool. Kitty will bring you down, bring the whole company down. She isn’t good enough. But I’ve taken care of it, whether you’ve chosen to or not. You can’t ever say I didn’t take care of my son.”

A chill raced down his spine. “And what exactly did you ‘take care of’?”

A smirk curled her lip. “I paid a visit to Christopher Green a few weeks ago. Not long after he stopped by.”

Warren shot from his chair. The gleam of pleasure in his mother’s eyes didn’t matter. “What did you tell him?”

“Oh, just where he could find Miss Jones. Honestly, running from her own family? What kind of mother will that make her?”

His hand opened and closed as the desire to strangle her filled him. He rooted to the ground, praying the desk between them would be enough to keep him from throttling her. “Get out.” He said it so softly she only raised a questioning brow. “Get out! Now. Makano will take you into town.”

She curtsied with a satisfied smile on her face. “It’s only a matter of time until someone comes for her. You know that.” She paused in the doorway when Makano arrived. “Oh, before I go, I’d like to do you one last favor. You should know you have a thief in your house.” Her heart sped in pleasure at the butler’s white sheen. “Makano stole from you. You’ve had a thief in your home for years.”

Warren shook his head, his anger boiling to an unholy degree. “I knew of the snuffbox soon after it was taken. Now, if you’ve finished attempting to tear this household apart, I suggest you leave.”

She sailed out with a glare.

Makano hovered in the doorway. “Mr. Castle—”

“We’ll talk more about this later, Makano.”

The butler gulped. “You’ve known this whole time?”

Warren glanced at the butler who’d been with him for years. He might’ve made some mistakes, but Warren had overlooked them. Regardless of the theft, which Warren had known went to help the servant’s mother, and the occasional leak of information to his mother, Makano was a good man. And Warren wasn’t in the habit of turning out men who tried to do their best. “Yes. I also made sure to inform the doctor that if your mother ever needs anything else before she passes away to come directly to me.”

Tears gathered in the butler’s eyes. He nodded in gratitude before turning away to take Warren’s mother into town.

The confrontation with his mother replayed in his mind in the silent office, settling on one horrifying fact.

It’s only a matter of time until someone comes for her…

Blood drained from Warren’s face. She was right. They would come for her. But they weren’t coming to collect her and bundle her back East as his mother suspected.

They’d come to kill her.

It’d been weeks since his mother had told Christopher Green Kitty’s location. And then he’d disappeared. There’d been plenty of time to send a message and for someone else to arrive in Hawaii. Plenty of time to plot her death.

Ice clotted his blood.

It was too late to see Kitty tonight. She had no doubt retired, especially after the confrontation with his mother, but he couldn’t wait until morning to see her, to check on her and make sure she was all right.

Refusing to wait another minute, he ran out the door, grabbing a rifle on his way out.

K
itty stumbled
into her darkened home. Only a fire popping in the grate gave relief against the stark night. She’d given Kalea the night off, sure she’d be fine on her own. She was grateful for that decision now. She wanted no one to witness the shameful tears trailing down her cheeks.

She wished she’d had the forethought to light a few extra fires so it wasn’t so dark. So empty.

Just like her life.

How could she have been so stupid? She’d deluded herself for weeks, thinking that everything was fine between her and Warren. That it would all work out.

Had she learned nothing in her life?

The stigma of her birth always mattered. As much as Warren wanted her to think it didn’t, it did. A bastard. People would always look at her as one. Wherever she went, whatever she did, that would never change.

He’d lost clients because of her.

She sobbed.

He’d lost business because she wasn’t good enough. Because she was inferior, and his connection with her paid its toll. How many more customers would he lose? What other business deals would go south because of her heritage?

She’d tried to warn him against this, tried to protect him from such things. But he hadn’t listened. And for the first time in her life, she hadn’t listened to reason either.

She’d believed the lie. Believed the dream.

She’d wanted Warren too desperately to think of anything else except her feelings, her wishes. Nothing in the world had ever tempted her as much as a life with Warren. Since the moment she’d clapped eyes on him, she’d wanted him. There was no denying it, no pushing past it.

It might not be right, but regardless of what was right or wrong, she wanted him.

And he wanted her.

Another anguished cry escaped her. Her arms wrapped around her waist as she doubled over.

This was reality. This was life. It wasn’t anything different than she’d been raised to expect. But somewhere along the road, she’d dreamed of more, seen a glimpse of what was possible. And now it was gone.

Because no matter what Warren said, she truly was beneath him. No marriage could thrive on uneven terms. No relationship could grow when one was superior to the other. He had to see that now. He must be disgusted with her, with his promise to marry her.

He’d never back out of a promise. But she could. She could spare him from this. She had to. She loved him too much to make him stay in a relationship that hurt him.

Pain shot from her heart, so much stronger than any she’d ever felt. Losing Warren would destroy her, but there wasn’t another choice. She had to let him go—

“I must say, Kitty. I’d forgotten how dramatic you could be.”

She choked. That voice…

She whirled to face her brother. “Frederick.” Kitty’s heart raced as her mind struggled to process what was happening. “How did you find me?”

His delighted laugh haunted her. “You mean, how did I track you all the way to Hawaii? Simple. Your picture was in the paper from the factory fire. From there, it was easy to send someone to question the remaining workers and figure out where’d you gone.” He gave her a patronizing smile. “But really, Kitty? A mail-order bride?” He clucked in distaste.

She moved behind the couch, putting distance between them. No one would hear her scream. Not at this hour, far away from the other buildings. “Why are you doing this? Why won’t you leave me alone?”

He took a step closer. “If it were up to me, I would. You’re my half-sister, but who would want to claim you?”

“Then leave me be. I promise I won’t interfere with your life.”

He lost the smile on his face. “If only it were that simple.”

“It is.”

“You really have no clue, do you?”

She shook her head. She couldn’t understand this at all. Any of it. “I’ve done nothing to you.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.” He stalked around the couch, and she shifted, keeping as much distance between them as possible. “You were born. Oh, Father always loved you, no matter what. You were his jewel, even though you were a bastard.”

“I saw Father much less than you. I was sent away.”

“To a well-known school for young ladies. What would a bastard need to know about running an established household?”

Her fist clenched. She might be a bastard, but she’d be living in squalor on the streets if it weren’t for her father’s generosity. “He gave me a chance at life. To make something more.”

“But it doesn’t just stop there.” He sneered.

“What do you mean?”

He shrugged. “You might as well know. Father left you five million dollars free and clear at his death.”

Lead pooled in her stomach. Her father… “No. That can’t be right,” she whispered.

“It’s true. The bastard left you money and left me to rot.”

“You mean he didn’t leave you anything?”

“He left me the rest of it. But he thought I needed a babysitter. I can’t access the funds as needed. I have to go through his advisors for even a scrap.”

Her father had left her a
fortune
. She was an heiress. It was almost unheard of for a bastard to possess such wealth. Her eyes welled. Her father had loved her. Truly loved her. Even though she hadn’t been legitimate, he’d always cared for her.

Taking advantage of her surprise, Frederick leaped at her.

She jumped behind another table, searching for safety. For protection.

Options were few. She couldn’t continue this cat-and-mouse game with him. She was too far away from others to call for help and could never outrun him to the house. There was only one other option.

She gulped.

The fields could shield her, hide her tracks. It was dangerous at night, but she didn’t have a choice now. It was her only hope of escaping him.

She let out a shaky breath. “But why come after me? Compared to what he left you, it’s nothing.”

“You’re right about that. It’s a piddling amount. But what you’re forgetting is the terms. Free and clear. The money can be transferred to you immediately.”

“I still don’t understand. Do you want to steal it from me? Force me to give it to you?”

He laughed. “If it were only that simple. But no. I have no need to coerce you to do anything. You see, the money will transfer to me with the same terms upon your death.”

She inhaled sharply. “You’ve been trying to kill me to get the money?” It was almost unfathomable. How could her own brother be so evil? And all for money?

“Of course.” He leaped at her again, swiping for her arm. He missed by mere inches. “Come, come, Kitty. This grows tiresome.” His brows narrowed.

Without another thought, Kitty raced to the door, flinging it open and charging for the thick brush ahead of her. She didn’t look back, didn’t slow. Pumping her arms, she hurled forward, praying with all her might that she’d make it before he overpowered her.

Harsh breathing grew louder behind her. If she looked over her shoulder, if she stepped wrong, she’d be lost.

With a surge of strength, she leaped into the brush, crashing through the weeds and tall stalks of cane.

He swore behind her. Loud enough that she didn’t slow, but knew she’d gained a little distance. Leaves slapped her face as she ran. The repeated gesture sliced open a cut on her cheek, but she still didn’t slow.

Her lungs hurt as she panted for breath, praying for strength, praying to live.

Taking a chance, she dove into a thick cluster of stalks, her body rigid as she held her breath as best she could as Frederick ran by her.

Her body relaxed for only a moment.

He stopped.

Silence filled the night.

“Oh, Kitty. You really don’t think you can hide from me, do you?”

Her hand stifled her lips, holding in a cry. She’d been lucky to get as far as she had with her skirts in the way. She wouldn’t get much farther.

Frederick circled in the canes. “Come now. You’re only making it worse by dragging it out.”

She closed her eyes. She wouldn’t make it out of here alive. She could fight with her last breath, but she knew it wouldn’t be enough.

Warren.
Why had she been so stupid? Why hadn’t she told him she loved him? That she wanted to be with him?

All of her reasons to fight their relationship were foolish. They loved each other, needed each other. Her background, his wealth, none of it mattered. Why had she seen that too late?

Silent tears tracked down her cheeks. She didn’t want to wait in the stalks to die. Bending low, she scooped up several stalks, testing out their ends for sharpness. One would suffice as a weapon, but none were lethal.

She stepped out onto a cut path the workers used to tend the crop, hiding the stalk in her skirts as she watched her half-brother sift through the canes. “I’m here, Frederick.”

He swiveled toward her. “You’ve stopped hiding? It doesn’t matter now. You kept me waiting too long.”

Her chin notched up.

He ran toward her, and once he was within reach, she plunged the stalk into the flesh of his shoulder.

She whirled, running before he recovered, but it wasn’t enough.

He howled and charged after her. The stick hadn’t slowed him.

She screamed when he grabbed her, yanking her hard into him. “You little witch.” He punched her in the face, holding her up for another blow. “I’ll make sure you suffer now.”

Another blow knocked her down into the mud. She cried out, the pain blazing in her jaw.

His boot connected with her stomach as he kicked her on the ground, ranting about their father, but his words started to float away as everything became hazy.

“I’ll teach you to—” Frederick paused as a squeal sounded. “What the hell was that?”

A second squeal, more loudly this time, sounded a moment before Frederick screamed.

A boar charged from the canes, its tusks twisted with dried blood, piercing Frederick in the leg before taking him down to the ground, shredding him from gut to neck.

Kitty held in her screams at the sickening sound of flesh and bone tearing as Frederick’s bloody screams filled the air.

If she couldn’t escape before the boar finished with Frederick…

She inched away, praying the animal would stay distracted long enough for her to hide.

Her elbow snapped a twig, and her eyes closed when the boar’s head reared up.

She was dead.

W
arren charged
into the cane field when Kitty screamed.

He’d arrived at her house only a moment before to find the door flung open and no trace of Kitty.

He had to get to her. His arms pumped faster as he listened for her. She was in here. Somewhere in the damn maze.

He stopped, listening, waiting.

When a man’s screech filled the air, he took off down a path to the right. His adrenaline surged higher. Blood raced through his ears. A person screamed like that for only one reason.

Death.

He skidded to a stop as a nightmarish scene unfolded before him. His mouth gaped as a boar shredded a man on the ground a few feet from Kitty.

When the boar’s head reared up, ready to charge Kitty, Warren raised his gun, shooting without hesitation.

The shot connected with the boar’s head, taking it down.

“Kitty!” he yelled, running toward her.

“Warren?”

“I’m here. You’re safe.”

A whimper escaped as he cradled her face, turning her toward the light. Her swollen eye, already bruising filled him with rage.

He glanced over at the lifeless body, lamenting there was no way to bring him back to life just to kill him again.

“I’m all right,” she whispered. “I’m all right now.”

He turned his attention back to her. Shaking his head. “I’m sorry, Kitty.” A tear escaped his eye. “I should’ve protected you better.”

“Shh.”

He shook off her hand. He didn’t deserve her affection or forgiveness. “Let me get you home.” He wrapped his arms around her, gently pulling her to her feet.

She gasped in pain at the contact.

The sound lanced through him. “What is it?”

“My ribs… I think one might be broken.”

His jaw clenched as he ground his teeth. “Wrap your arms around my neck, love.” Tears tracked down her cheeks, and he could only imagine the pain she was in. “I’ll get you out of here.”

“My brother—”

“We’ll take care of him later.”

“No. He told me…” She inhaled sharply.

With a bruise already forming on her jaw, he knew it was painful for her to speak. “You can tell me all about it after a doctor looks at you. Try to rest and hold still.”

She nodded softly against his chest as he cradled her in his arms.

She didn’t argue when he loaded her into his wagon instead of taking her into her house. He was grateful. There was no way he was letting her out of his sight again. Ever.

Warren cursed as she passed out on the way to Castle House.

He couldn’t lose her. He wouldn’t.

K
itty’s eyes blinked open
. Her stomach roiled from the pain bolting through her head. She would
not
throw up. The pain in her jaw wouldn’t allow it.

A tear streaked down her cheek as memories flooded her. Her brother. The boar.

A disheveled Warren came into view. “How are you feeling?”

“Pain.” Even saying that much hurt.

He nodded. “The doctor checked on you. He said nothing is broken, but you’re bruised. He left something you could take for the pain. Do you want it now?”

She nodded. She’d take anything to make the hurt ease.

He helped her sit up, cradling her in his arm as he held a small cup to her lips. The syrup was sickly sweet.

He laid her down carefully. “That will help ease the aches. It shouldn’t take long. Can I get anything for you?”

Tired eyes searched hers. She lifted a hand to his bristled cheek. “I love you, Warren.”

His hand rose to hold hers over his cheek, his eyes shuddering closed. “You don’t need to say that.”

“Of course I need to. I love you.”

“I don’t deserve you.”

Her fingers slid to his lips. “Why do you say that?”

“Because I didn’t protect you.” His voice was raw, filled with the anguish.

Her heart ached. “There’s nothing you could’ve done. We had no idea Frederick was coming.”

“I did.”

Confusion filled her heart. “You knew?”

“Tonight, my mother confessed to speaking with the man who was looking for you. I came to find you immediately, but I was too late.”

“And how is that your fault?”

“It was my mother. I should’ve known. I should’ve done something about her sooner.” His head hung in shame.

She notched his chin up, love filling her heart. “There’s nothing more you could’ve done. You came to me the minute you heard. You saved me.” She stopped him when he shook his head. “You
saved
me. That boar would’ve killed me if you’d arrived a second later.”

He let out a shaky breath.

“I love you, Warren. I love you so much it hurts. I’ve been stupid. Nothing matters except you, except us. I want to marry you. More than anything in the world.”

“If I’d lost you…”

“You didn’t.”

His hands cradled her face gently. “I love you. More than life itself. I never want to go on without you.”

Tears brimmed in her eyes. “Say it again.”

“I love you.” He brushed a soft kiss against her lips, gently so there was no pain. “Don’t ever leave me.”

“I won’t. Ever.”

She tugged his hand, pulling him next to her on the bed. “Hold me until I fall asleep?”

“Forever. You’re never getting rid of me.”

As the pain medicine took effect, she floated away into blissful dreams, knowing she was finally safe.

Warren’s love had set her free.