Page 3 of Siren's Salvation

My stomach churns. "Did you kill someone?" I ask, only half-joking.

Grace looks appalled. "What? No!"

"Then what?" I press. "Come on, kiddo. You're scaring the shit out of me here."

Grace takes a shaky breath. "It's... it's Bronco," she whispers.

My blood runs cold. "What about Bronco?"

She closes her eyes, tears spilling down her cheeks. "He... he..."

And suddenly, it all clicks into place.

The crying, the fear in her eyes, the way she flinched when I touched her.

My vision goes red.

"That motherfucker," I snarl, surging to my feet. "I'll fuckin’ kill him."

Grace grabs my arm, her eyes wide with panic. "No! Shiver, please, you can't!"

I look down at her, my anger momentarily overtaken by confusion. "What do you mean, I can't? That piece of shit hurt you!"

She shakes her head frantically. "You don't understand. Dad... Dad arranged it."

The world tilts on its axis.

"What?" I breathe, sure I must have misheard her.

Grace's voice is barely audible. "Dad arranged for me to marry Bronco. His family gave the ranch a huge check. I'm supposed to be his wife now."

I feel like I've been punched in the gut.

My father, the man I've looked up to my entire life, sold my baby sister like she’s a heifer coming into heat to a rival ranch.

The betrayal cuts deep, but it's nothing compared to the rage building inside me.

"That doesn't give him the right," I growl. "Marriage or not, he had no fucking right to touch you without your consent."

Grace's grip on my arm tightens. "Please, Shiver. You can't do anything. If you hurt him, Dad will know I told you. He'll be so angry."

I crouch down again, taking her face in my hands. "Listen to me, Grace. I don't give a fuck what Dad thinks. I'm your big brother, and it's my job to protect you. Always has been, always will be. No one gets to hurt you and walk away from it. Not even if they've got Dad's blessing."

She looks at me, fear and hope warring in her eyes. "What are you going to do?"

I stand up, thinking about exactly what I’m going to do. "I'm going to have a little chat with my soon-to-be brother-in-law."

"Shiver, no!" Grace pleads, scrambling to her feet. "He'll hurt you!"

I can't help but laugh at that. "Sweetheart, I'd like to see him try. You forget who you're talking to?"

She bites her lip, still looking uncertain. "Promise me you won't do anything stupid."

I grin, but there's no humor in it. "Now, when have I ever done anything stupid?"

Before she can answer, I'm striding across the room, my eyes scanning for Bronco.

I spot him by the bar, nursing a beer and looking far too pleased with himself.

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