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“You’re late to the party, boys, but no worry, you’ll receive the invitation to the real celebration in the mail.” Donley smiles as he steps forward.
He pushes Collins to my side, and my eyes slice back to Maddoc’s, but he masks his mien well.
“I want you to stay away from her,” Collins dares to say. “Raven belongs—”
“To a Graven,” Captain cuts him off, his voice strong and determined, his head held high, brass knuckles on and gleaming against the light. “I’m here to ask for that spot.” He steps beside me and the entire room stills. “Raven should be mine.”
What.
The.
Fuck.My breath lodges in my throat, a numbness shoots from my neck to my toes.
Four words that, while I don’t understand their meaning, should bring me relief, but dread is what locks me in place instead.
I believe Maddoc would go toe to toe with his dad, this town, these people if he could. He’d do anything in his power to keep me at his side, fight neck to neck if push came to shove and reason was thrown out the window, if Zoey wasn’t at risk.
But Captain?
Two brothers who love each other soul deep having something standing between them, threatening to shred what is supposed to be an unbreakable bond?
Having me stand between them?
“No,” I whisper, shaking my head, and a strain of other rejections follow – not one from Maddoc.
“Stop,” Captain demands of everyone. “Ravina Brayshaw was promised to the top Graven.” His eyes hit Donley. “That doesn’t mean her daughter defaults to his son.”
“She has to marry a Graven,” Collins adds, stepping forward.
“You’re right, cousin.”
I grow nauseous.
Cousin.
“Cap...” I think I say out loud.
“Donley.” The man who addressed me second stands.
Donley frowns at Captain, but after a moment, anger paints his face red. “What is this?”
“I have the paternity test—”
“There is no need. Raven has accepted the marriage; your daughter is irrelevant to us now.”
“I know,” he says, nice and calm. Too calm.
“Then why—”
Captain shoves an envelope into Collins’ chest. “Open it.”
“What is it?” he asks hesitantly, his eyes finding mine a moment.
Captain says nothing and a few of the others stand as Collins tears open the envelope. His eyes skim over the folded paperwork a moment, a deep crease forming over his forehead.
“This is... this can’t be true,” Collins says, looking to Donley when he snags it from him.
Captain addresses the rest of the room, avoiding his dad’s eyes. “As you know, I am not of Brayshaw blood.”
Donley fumes, tossing the papers to the floor. “Family runs deeper than blood,” he mocks.
“I’m aware. I claim nothing you are, represent nothing you’ve been,” Cap says strongly. “But my real father was brought into Graven as my adoptive father is Brayshaw. Does that not give me the right to ask for this?”
“Cap,” I rasp, my hand moving to my throat as my breathing becomes increasingly louder.
He continues, “My choice was stolen from me. I’m here to ask for it back.”
Finally, Captain turns to me, grief, pain, and prospect clouding his light eyes. My body wrenches forward from the force in which his pain hits me. His stare tightens even more as he says, “A Brayshaw and a Graven is what is needed, yes?” His eyes are glued to me as he says it, but his words are for them. “This will give Brayshaw power.” He looks to Donley. “But what about the Gravens, they only gain a queen?”
Collins jerks forward, but Royce is quick to step in front of him.
Donley walks around them and closer to Captain, Rolland moving closer to his son as the enemy creeps in.
He eyes Captain a moment, and he can’t help himself. He asks, “What are you offering, son?”
“A game changer.” Captain lifts his chin. “Raven will be mine, I hers, and together, the head of an empire. No one surrenders anything. A new era begins. Both Graven and Brayshaw under Graven and Brayshaw.”
“What makes you think we can’t do this without you?” Donley asks.
“It doesn’t matter what I think, it’s what I know. I’m stronger than Collins. I have an influence he never will, respect he could only wish for, and Raven’s love, which I can promise you he will never gain. You wanted Ravina to love her husband, it’s why you chose Felix. With me, you will get that.”
“And what is it you want in return for this?” Donley asks.
“You mean besides knowing Raven is cared for, safe and away from your grasp?” Captain glares. “My daughter’s safety. Your word in writing, right here right now and in front of everyone, that she becomes untouchable, irrelevant to you and anyone else who may believe she’s anything other than mine to care for and protect, only. Always.”
My head starts to spin, and I fight for air.
Donley frowns, but it’s clear he’s swaying. “You’ll have your own name’s best interest.”
