“I can’t believethe two of you are actually here,” I said, kissing my sister compulsively.
“The three ofus,” Vivian said, from behind me.
I spun around toface her. “What are you doing here?”
“King Kadebrought us all here,” Briar Rae said, excitedly. “Do you really live here now?In a real live castle? Are you a princess?”
“How about Igive you the grand tour? How does that sound?”
“Great!” shesquealed.
I stroked herhair and glanced at Alasdair. “Okay, but first I need you to go with Jed andMr. Alasdair will take you both to the kitchen for some hot chocolate.”
Alasdair nodded.“Let’s see if we can get Cook to rustle up some biscuits as well.”
Briar Raescrunched up her face. “Biscuits? But it’s not breakfast time.”
I winked at her.“That’s what they call cookies in the U.K.”
“The yookay?”Briar Rae scrunched up her nose and let out a quiet huff. “I thought we were inScotland. This place sure is silly, but if there’s cookies, I’m in.”
“We have lots ofcookies, lass,” Alasdair promised. “Shall I show ye?”
“Yes, please, Mr.Alligator,” she said, giving him the cutest little girl curtsy I’d ever seen.
Alasdair heldhis giant hand out to her, and she slid her equally tiny one into it.
“I think Ishould stay,” Jed countered.
“No, honey, it’sfine. Go with your sister,” Vivian said. “I’m right behind you.”
As soon as mysiblings were out of the room, I turned to Kade. “What is she doing here?” Idemanded. “Didyoubring her here?”
Phin placed hishands gently on my shoulders. “Sweetheart, you need show the king properrespect and in return, my father will show you the respect you deserveas mymate.”
I ignored Phin’sobvious warning to his father as I glared at Kade and challenged, “And Ithought, as family, we were above all that.”
“We are, butyour mate is right.” Kade crossed his arms. “We must maintain a degree of orderand protocol when dealing with matters that affect those outside our clan.However, this is also a family matter and I respect that as well. Please feelfree to speak your mind, my daughter. I only ask you to do so with respect andlove for our clan.”
I bowed my headand bit out, “My apologies, Majesty. I meant no disrespect, and I’m gratefulyou brought my siblings here, but whyher?” I practically hissed atVivian. “She’s my father’s partner in everything he has built.”
“You’re right, Iwas,” Vivian said. “But not a willing one.”
I turned to faceher. “I have no interest in listening to your lies and excuses. Whatever myfather is guilty of, I hold you just as responsible. You should have told me.Or someone. Anyone.”
Vivian noddedsilently as tears streamed down her exhausted-looking face. “I should have toldsomeone, you’re right. I should have had the courage to do the right thing andtell the police about some of the things your father was involved in.”
“Then why didn’tyou?”
“Outside of thefact he owns most of the police department?” she pointed out. “It was alsobecause I didn’t want him to do to Briar Rae what he did to you, and yourfather promised me that he would if I said anything to anyone. He also promisedme he’d be harder on her than he was on you.”
I felt like Iwas going to throw up and reached out for Phin. He was right there for me,calming my nausea with his touch.
“After the dayhe beat you with his belt, I made him promise he’d never do that again, and hekept that promise. However, he explained that just as God instructed Jesus tostand as a sacrificial lamb for all mankind, I was likewise to take your placeevery time you sinned. He would whip and beat me every time he felt you haddone something wrong.”
“Oh, my word,Vivian.” My hand went to my mouth. “I’m so sorry, I had no idea—”
“No one did. Noteven my closest friends. Gavin is very smart and would never strike me in avisible place.” She turned and pulled her top up enough to reveal scars on herback.
