Page 71 of After the Burn

The guard looked at me, confused. “That’s not Robin.”

“Listen to him.” I motioned to Ron. “He’s speaking the truth.”

Wren rolled her eyes. “You’re just pissed because Robin wouldn’t give you the time of day.”

Ron blushed. “That’s not Robin, you crazy bitch.”

That pissed me off.

She was obviously crazy, but the name-calling was over the top. “Watch it, Ron. I don’t appreciate the tone.”

Wren looked at me with affection for defending her, and I ran a hand down my face.

“I’m not your sister,” I stated for the umpteenth time. “I just don’t like his face.”

“Sure, you’re not.” She smiled.

“She stole a horse and rode it through town, yelling ‘the British are coming,’ causing a ruckus at three in the morning,” Ron told me, trying to defend his reason for name-calling.

“I borrowed the horse, and I had to do it. Paul was sick.” She rolled her eyes.

Ron pinched the bridge of his nose. “Paul Revere is dead.”

“Now he is. But at the time, I thought it would help to take a few things off his plate.” Wren let out a breath, as if Ron were being ridiculous.

I was beginning to understand why everyone around her looked exhausted.

Harper tried one last time. “Wren, why don’t you go unpack and get some rest?”

“No.”

“Wren.”

“No. My sister has a meeting with Gideon, so I’m staying right here.” She frowned at Harper, her green eyes growing cold.

I looked at her and spoke slowly, “We are not sisters.”

Wren looked over at me, and her eyes lost their stony expression, and she smiled at me with indulgence. “Of course we are.”

I stared at her, and she stared right back, completely confident that she was right.

Before I could argue further, the courthouse doors opened.

Every thought vanished the moment I saw Adrian step out.

His expression was cold enough to make the temperature drop ten degrees.

Beck followed close behind, and judging by the look on his face, somebody was about three seconds away from getting punched.

Lucas came next.

He appeared like the asshole he was, but exhaustion caused his shoulders to slump.

Mace and Gage came through the doors, both looking just as pissed.

Well.

That explained a lot.