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“Derek, it is unusual to see you travel without bodyguards,” I replied.
“A stór,stop beating around the bush,” Derek said. His hand ran over his chin.
“Fine. What brings you here?”
Derek laughed, a rich, deep noise that had attracted many a woman. Not this one.
“Millar has stopped commenting and making remarks about marrying Cami.”
“That’s good news!” I exclaimed and then frowned. “But not enough to make you bring me it in person, so what’s the catch?”
“Clever girl. Instead, Millar is boasting he has set his sights on a new wife. One who would bring him power and breeding. Madisen, I think Millar has set his sights on ye. The other families deny making any plays.”
“Any other evidence?” I asked, unable to hide the concern in my voice.
“Unfortunately, yes. He’s sent four of his men to Spearfish. They’re lying low, but ye were the jewel in Oscar’s crown. Millar isn’t interested in your cousins; it’s you. I have sent an old friend to watch over ye,” Derek said, and I sat up.
“Derek, I have no old friends.”
“Just the one. Oh, I knew all along Riley’s role before you gave him to me. He has been incredibly valuable to my family. And his secrets will die with me, Madisen, as will yours,” Derek stated calmly, but I straightened sharply.
Derek’s inference was he knew what I did to my dad. And knew my cousins and Riley’s role in it as well.
“Derek…” I stopped, lost for words. Derek had over my head a hammer he could swing at any time.
“Let me tell you a story, Madisen. Many years ago, my father wanted a woman who was married to another man. Let’s cut a long story short. He took what he wasn’t offered one night while her nasty, abusive, piece-of-shit husband was away onfamilybusiness. From that union sprang a daughter, my half-sister. And there is nothing I wouldn’t do to protect her. Even cover up for her when she takes down a crime lord,” Derek said gently.
A surge of emotion swept through me—disbelief, fear, hope, a maelstrom of emotions I could not pin down.
“We’re siblings?” I whispered as shock took over.
“Yes, and I have always watched over ye. I couldn’t make a move when Oscar was alive, but I could protect you to the best of my abilities. The reason ye weren’t married off at eighteen was because I informed Oscar I wanted ye. I stalled him as long as possible, but in the end, he decided a liaison with the McKenzies wasn’t gonna happen,” Derek admitted.
“So you’re my big brother? And Jere is my half-brother?” I asked as my world tilted on its head.
“That little eejit is going to pay for raising a hand to you. Trust me,” Derek promised.
“Are you here to drag me back to that life?” I wouldn’t go, never. I’d escaped, and I planned on staying free.
“No. Claiming you as a McKenzie would put a target on you, bigger than being a Roderick.”
“Who knows about me?” I asked.
“My brothers and I. We’re kinda elated to have a younger sister, even if she needs to remain in hiding,a stór.Nobody will ever learn of it unless you tell someone. Ye have McKenzie blood, Madisen, which means we protect our own. So, take the hand of your big brother and let me into your life as much as possible. Let me provide Riley to protect you while the family deals with Millar.”
“Your accent comes and goes,” I said idly, and Derek snorted.
“That’s all you got?”
“What else do I say? I just found out my father wasn’t my dad. Did he know?”
“No. Nobody except my father, and he told me on his deathbed.”
“So I’m not a Roderick but a McKenzie. Holy shit. Tami and Cami aren’t my blood cousins!”
“Ye love them like they’re your own?” Derek asked.
“Yes.”
