Page 112 of Mine to Take

Willow is River’s…sister?

It’s only now that I see them standing side by side that I realize how much they resemble one another. Both have the same cornflower blue eyes, golden blond hair, and facial features. Although, where River is tall and muscular, Willow is finer boned and more fragile looking.

River’s expression turns possessive as his arm locks around her. “Yeah, dumbass. She’s my sister. My fucking twin.”

Twin?

Holy shit.

It feels like I’ve entered a parallel dimension. One I never knew existed. My brain continues to somersault.

“I had no idea,” I mumble, feeling like the dumbass he just called me.

How didn’t I know this?

Better question is, why didn’t Willow share this information with me herself?

My gaze slices back to her as the question circles around in my brain.

“Don’t you see? He was using you to get back at me! That’s all this was! Fucking revenge!”

Even in the dim lighting of the bar, her cheeks drain of all color as uncertainty flickers in her eyes.

Shock spirals through me.

After everything we’ve shared these past few weeks, it hurts that she would believe the worst in me.

“All he’ll do is throw you away like a used-up tissue.”

I shake my head when her attention resettles on mine. The questions and doubts that have mushroomed up within her eyes are nearly enough to kill me.

“You know that isn’t true, sunshine. I didn’t know you were related to that assho…” My voice trails off before I correct myself. “River. I didn’t know he was your brother.”

“No, it’s worse than that,” River interrupts. “You thought she was my girlfriend. Someone I cared about.”

It takes a moment to realize how silent the bar has grown. A pin drop could be heard as the crowd that rings us swells in size.

I hate that everyone is standing around listening to our personal business being hashed out.

She straightens to her full height as emotion floods her eyes. “Is that what this is? Were you only trying to settle an old score with River?” Her gaze studies mine, attempting to pick through my private thoughts. “Just be honest.” She gulps. “Please.”

Even though she lied to me, I find that I’m unable to be anything less than truthful with her.

“Maybe in the beginning?—”

“See!” River pounces on the admittance. “It was all a fucking game!” he snarls before stabbing a finger in my direction. “Stay the fuck away from Willow. She’s not like other girls. She’s…” He pauses, almost as if searching for the right word to use. “Vulnerable and doesn’t need you playing head games with her.”

My brows jerk together. “Vulnerable?”

What the hell does that mean?

River opens his mouth only to snap it shut a second later. The ruddy color filling his face drains as he shoots an uncertain look at Willow.

Just when I think he’ll refuse to answer, his voice dips, turning husky. “She had cancer.”

Air gets knocked from my lungs, making it impossible to breathe.

My attention shifts to Willow as the bomb River just dropped reverberates throughout my entire being.

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