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“That can be arranged,” Kristoff spat.

“In fact, it would be our pleasure,” Kai added.

Who the hell were these men? Did five years change them that much?

My heart beat so hard that it would soon beat out of my chest. My ears rang while tension bounced off the walls of the castle like a dark, formidable cloud threatening to thunder at any moment.

“Come, Sienna,” Kristoff repeated, but the look in Tyran’s eyes had me hesitating.

My hands grew clammy and I was ready to go to him, but I flicked a look at Tyran.

Darkness burned in his blue eyes, the hard edges promising violence. I didn’t think he would ever hurt my family or me. I just wasn’t sure the same would be true for Kai.

But it wasn’t only that which stopped me.

It was awareness.

Vulnerability and passion burning in Tyran’s eyes, calling to the deep part of me. Yes, he was forcing me to marry him, but he was also chasing my demons away. He was taking care of me.

I’d betrayed Tyran once already. I couldn’t do it again.

“I want to see them,” I breathed, the tension so still that I was surprised the men could hear me. “But I don’t want to leave Ty.” A sharp breath tore from Kristoff and surprise crossed his expression. “Maybe they can come here?” I added in a hopeful tone.

Before he could protest, Tyran said, “They’ll all be safe, and you can have a whole wing to yourself.” I smiled, but it was too soon. He pointed at Kai with his gun and continued, “Not this fucker, though.”

I never thought Tyran Callahan could be so jealous.

THIRTY-TWO

SIENNA

Kristoff and Kai shared a look, communicating without saying a word, and then my stepfather turned to Tyran, his eyes narrowing in displeasure.

“Very well, but I’m not bringing my other children in the midst of this.”

Pain sliced through me. I hadn’t seen them in five years and had hardly spoken to them for almost as long. Now that they were so close, I couldn’t stand not seeing them.

I descended the stairs and came to stand next to Tyran, but my gaze was locked on my stepfather.

“Please,” I begged. “Tyran… The Callahans wouldn’t hurt them.”

“Like Aiden said,” Tyran said dryly, taking my hand with his free one and giving it a squeeze, “you’re family now.”

“She hasn’t married you yet,” Kristoff retorted wryly, watching him with distaste.

“Dad, please,” I begged. “I want to see them all. I missed—” My voice cracked and Tyran’s grip on my hand tightened. “I missed you all so much. Please… please, Dad… bring them all here.”

Kristoff stiffened and dragged his gaze away from Tyran. His eyes shimmered and he blinked them several times.

I never called him Dad, but I considered him mine. In my mind, he was Dad, I just never graduated to the stage of calling him that out loud.

Dad lowered his gun, holding it by his side. My best friend did the same, his gaze flickering between the Callahan brothers and me.

“God, Sienna, I can’t refuse you now,” he grumbled softly. “I’ll go get them and bring them over.”

I stumbled forward and fell into my father’s arms. He hugged me tightly, and I let out a muffled sob into his chest. It was the second time I’d ever done that, and just like when he rescued me, he murmured comforting words while stroking my hair.

“We have to stop doing this, kiddo,” he whispered against my hair. “I promised your mom I’d always keep you girls safe, and I’m failing.”