Page 7 of Siren's Salvation

I reach her door, try the handle.

Locked.

Fuck.

"Grace, it's me, open up kiddo. Come on." My voice comes out rougher than I intended, and I clear my throat. "It's okay, you're safe now."

There's silence on the other side, broken only by muffled sobs.

I lean my forehead against the door, trying to keep my own emotions in check.

"Please, Gracie. I need to know you're okay."

Finally, I hear movement.

The lock clicks, and the door cracks open.

Grace stands there, her face a mess of smeared makeup and tears.

My chest tightens at the sight.

"What..." she chokes out, her eyes wide with fear. "What happened? Is he... did he get shot?"

I swallow hard, knowing I can't lie to her. Not about this. "Yeah, he did. I shot him, Grace. He's dead."

Her eyes go even wider, if that's possible. "You... oh God, Sean."

She uses my real name, something she rarely does. "Dad can't know. Please, you can't tell him what Bronco did to me. Promise me."

Fuck.

This is a mess.

Part of me knows we should come clean, tell our old man everything.

But looking at Grace, seeing the pleading in her eyes, I know I can't do that to her.

"All right, kiddo. I promise. Your secret's safe with me." The words taste bitter in my mouth, but I mean them.

I'd do anything for my little sister, even if it means carrying this burden.

Grace throws herself into my arms, sobbing into my chest.

I hold her tight, my mind racing.

How the hell am I gonna cover this up?

But as I stroke her hair, trying to soothe her, I know one thing for certain.

I'll figure it out.

No matter what it takes, I'll protect her.

That's what big brothers are for, right?

CHAPTER ONE

Siren

---