Page 15 of Fractured Vows (Fraser Crime Syndicate 1)

That’s not unusual. We keep Aurelia out of the limelight too. Fear that she may be used against us, kidnapped, or hurt is always in the back of our minds. So we don’t draw attention to our sister in the hopes people will forget she exists.

At least until she’s ready to marry.

I have no doubt my mother has planned an alliance for our sister that will secure our position further. Kane will also have his wife chosen for him, as Zeke should have. He’d broken every rule by choosing his own. Though I suspect my parents were not too upset with his choice of wife. Bailey brings the alliance of the Untamed Sons Motorcycle Club.

“So how does Charlotte plan on cementing an alliance with the Adams’s?” I ask, although I have a good idea. Alliances are either gained through marriage or deals. I do know Hamish Adams has a couple of daughters, though I don’t remember their names.

Kane’s mouth pulls into a tight line and his eyes darken for a moment. “She wants me to marry the eldest daughter.”

I run my fingers over the top of the table, my gaze going to the window once more. “And what do you think about that?”

“I have no desire to wed the Adams bitch.”

I figured that would be his response. He has known his whole life that he will marry out of obligation rather than choice, but there is a difference between knowing and having the option presented in front of you.

“We must all do what we do not want to,” I mutter, even though I share Kane’s dismay at the idea. Sometimes, I wonder what it would be like to not play games, to live a simple, normal life, to not be considered a pawn in a game that can never be won.

It’s a stupid thought. Our lives were planned out for us from the moment we drew our first breath. Just as my brothers and my sister will be pushed into a marriage of our parents’ choosing, so will I. There are no choices when you are a Fraser. I don’t believe Charlotte or Anthony would try to kill us if we didn’t obey them, but if we broke away from the Fraser Firm we would be hunted by the other families. There is no normal life for us. There is only blood and death. This is our cross to bear and we carry the load, because the alternative is being annihilated by our enemies.

“Indeed,” Kane sneers. My eldest brother is not happy about this arrangement, but I know he will do what is expected.

“Have you seen the girl?” I ask. Not that it matters if she’s ugly as sin. If Charlotte has decided this is a match that will be made, it will go ahead.

“A photograph. She is not a troll. Actually she’s quite pretty. I just don’t want her as my fucking wife.”

There’s nothing I can say to my brother to ease this path for him, so I hold my tongue. Any words would be empty anyway.

An alliance with the Adams’s would be beneficial and would shore up defences against any form of Easton growth. It still doesn’t make it any easier to bear.

“Our time will come for each of us,” I say softly. I dread the day my mother and father pick my bride. “It would be good to have the Adams syndicate on board. A marriage will ensure those bonds.”

Kane makes a grunting sound deep in his throat and turns away. “Don’t worry, little brother, I know how to do my duty. I will marry the Adams bitch because it will help secure our position. Am I happy about it? No, but I will do what is expected.”

The sacrifices we make….

“It won’t be as bad as you think.” The words are empty. It will be worse.

“It is easy for you to say this when it’s not you who is facing a lifetime of marriage with someone you haven’t chosen.”

“I’m not going to choose either,” I remind him.

Kane drags his fingers through his hair, his frustration etched onto every inch of his face. We are no longer young boys but men with a kingdom spread beneath our feet.

“Just be aware mother is plotting,” Kane warns me. “You might find yourself in the firing line next.”

I shudder at the thought. I’m considerably younger than Kane. There are two years between Kane and Zeke and three years between me and Zeke. Aurelia is four years younger than me and just turned eighteen a month ago.

I know my time is coming, that the clock is ticking down, but I hold onto the thought that I might have a little bit of freedom still.

“Maybe we should do as Zeke did. Make our own alliances,” I mutter.

Kane shakes his head. “I have no interest in marriage.”

This doesn’t surprise me, considering how tumultuous our parents’ marriage has been. I push up from the desk wrapping my knuckles against the wood. “Keep me informed,” I tell him.

I’ve had enough of the conversation. I don’t want to think about my impending future.

It’s Friday night.

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