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“You three are going to be the death of me,” he growls, sitting back in his seat. He lets out a heavy breath, rubbing his brow. “Here’s what we’re going to do.”

My ears perk up at that.

“Knowing you three aren’t going to stop when it comes to protecting Cove, and with the increase in Rafe’s people after her, the only way to stop drawing attention to yourself, and keep Cove safe for sure, is for Cove to leave town.”

“What do you mean?” I glare at my father. If he thought I was going to just send my Bunny away, he was so fucking wrong.

“What I mean is... that the three of you are a lost cause. I could lock you up, have you tortured within an inch of your life, but there would be no point. I’ve accepted that while you are loyal to me, to this family, she will always come first.”

Now he’s getting it.

“So what? You’re disowning us?” Maverick asks, and a sting of betrayal hits me in the chest. Ouch. We’re his sons. I know we’re not perfect, but to disown us? What the fuck?

“No.” He rolls his eyes. “I’m not fucking disowning you. I might not show it often, but you three are my life, my legacy. I’d die and kill for you. But the three of you are not fit to take over this family. To run this empire, or anything to do with the Volkov name.”

“So what?” I snarl. “You’re going to get Caster to take your place?” Caster is our cousin, the oldest/only son of the second oldest son of the Volkov family.

My uncle always hated the fact that my father got the position he longed for, so much so that he went and married the German mafia’s princess just so he had some sense of power, which he only got after he offed his father-in-law and took his place.

“Fuck, no,” my father snorts. “I’d never let that little shit anywhere near the family business. He’d just hand it over to his father,” My dad sneers.

“Then what are you saying?” Saint asks, looking confused.

“If you three would let me fucking talk, I’d be able to tell you.” He’s sounding more irritated, and if it keeps getting worse, one of us is going to end up with a bullet in the foot. Last time it was me. That shit fucking hurts.

He takes a deep breath, and we all keep our mouths shut.

“To sum it up, you three won’t be taking my place. But I need an heir. So, go get the women who has consumed your whole fucking lives and make me one.”

It takes a second for what he’s saying to click, and when it does, a slow grin stretches over my face. “Are you saying we can finally catch our Little Bunny and keep her?”

“Yes.” Dad gives us a firm nod.

“Fuck yes!” I jump to my feet. “About fucking time.”

Pure excitement and joy floods my body as I dart for the door.

“Not so fucking fast,” Maverick grunts, grabbing me by the arm. He yanks me back so hard that I stumble back and land on the dead man on top of the table.

“What the fuck, man?” I shout at my big brother.

“Wait.” He hits me with a dark look that says if I don’t listen, he will knock me out.

If he does that, then I won’t be able to help bring our Bunny to her new home.

“Fine,” I say through gritted teeth.

“Are you sure?” Saint asks.

“Shut up,” I hiss. I don’t need Dad changing his mind.

“I am,” Dad confirms. “You want to protect Cove, and your home is the best place for it.”

He’s right. Our property is like Fort Knox up in there. No one would be getting in or out without us knowing.

“You want Cove as your wife, and I want a grandson who can take my place in this family when it’s time. I’m not getting any younger, but I’m not anywhere close to my end either. And, with Cove tucked away safely, that will allow you three to be more clear-minded, so you can uncover what Rafe is up to, and why he wants Cove so badly.”

“Makes sense.” Maverick nods.