Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 69098 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 345(@200wpm)___ 276(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69098 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 345(@200wpm)___ 276(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
A man appears in the clearing behind Jace and CJ. As he approaches, my hackles rise again, knowing we no longer outnumber the newcomers, but are evenly matched now in numbers. The man’s eyes are green like the moss-covered rocks near the river, but not at all playful like that of Jace’s. He darts his stare over me and my siblings, his full mouth thinning into a hard line.
“Friends,” Jace mutters, “meet my brother, Logan. Logan, this is Ryder, Raegan, and Ronan.”
Logan’s attention bounces to each one of us as we’re introduced before lingering on me. He takes the time to swoop his gaze over my entire form before landing on my lips. Heat floods my cheeks.
He probably has at least ten years on Jace, putting him in his early thirties. Unlike Jace, Logan has just a few freckles on his cheeks above his trimmed mahogany-colored beard. Sunlight makes a few of the hairs glisten like gold. He’s a lot more solid than Jace, putting him closer to Ryder’s size.
It’s hard to ignore, but he’s quite beautiful.
“Nice to meet you,” Logan says to us, voice tight with tension. “What are you kids doing out here?”
Kids?
“I’m nineteen,” I blurt out, hating how my face burns hot. “I’m not a kid.”
Logan arches a brow and then his lips curl into a lopsided grin that makes my heart flutter. “Duly noted, Ronan. A man, not a boy.”
Ryder shoots me a questioning look over his shoulder, but I refuse to look at him. I barely understand my own feelings—for men, no less—so I don’t have the capacity to explain my reaction to my brother.
“Dad’s looking for you,” Logan says to Jace. “You can run along back to camp now.”
Jace scoffs. “I found them first.”
Logan stiffens but ultimately ignores Jace in the end. He flashes me a disarming grin as he scratches his beard. “You’ll have to excuse my brother and cousin. They’re always looking for friends. My father doesn’t trust people well, so it’s up to me to look out for those two.”
A breath rushes past my lips and I nod at his words. “Our dad isn’t all that trusting either. Sounds like they may get along.”
“Then let’s have them meet,” Logan says, his smile widening. “It’s a date.”
I’m not sure if it’s the words or the way he winks at me after.
Either way, I find myself nodding and agreeing to what will no doubt get my ass handed to me by my father.
Smile. It’s a date. Wink.
Whatever trouble I just landed myself in will be worth it.
* * *
* * *
Have my siblings lost their minds? Both Ronan and Raegan seem to have forgotten everything Dad has taught us. Most importantly: Never trust strangers.
Yet…
They both are happy about these new people invading our land. Sure, they’re charming and a bit comical, but I’m not completely sold. And I know Dad sure as hell wouldn’t be. That’s why it’s my job to protect them from these trespassers.
“No,” I grind out, ignoring the sharp looks my siblings give me. “Not happening. Time for us to part ways.”
Raegan opens her mouth to argue, but I shoot her a nasty glare that has her stopping short. I’ll throw her over my shoulder and drag her ass home if I have to.
“Ry,” Ronan mutters, a slight plead to his voice. “We don’t have to be rude. Maybe Dad will—”
“No,” I snap, turning my anger on him. “This isn’t up for discussion.”
Ronan flinches at my harsh words, making me feel like a total dick. Then he turns to look back over at Logan, his cheeks burning with embarrassment.
“I’m sorry,” Ronan says to Logan. “I…I’m sorry.”
Logan gives him a knowing smile and nod, accepting his words. Their little exchange lights a fire in my gut, burning hot with a mixture of jealousy and possessiveness.
Ronan is my brother. Some asshole doesn’t get to swoop in and take him away from me.
“Let’s go,” I growl, snagging Ronan by his elbow. “You too, Rae.”
Raegan’s freckled cheeks are also red from humiliation. So sorry to be the voice of reason around here. They’ll both get over it. She gives the guys a little wave before storming back toward the direction of home, Mage in her arms. I don’t let go of Ronan as I swipe my shirt off the rock where I’d left it.
“I’d keep moving if I were you,” I spit out to Logan since he’s the apparent leader of the three. “Our land spans far and wide. Get off of it as quickly as you can.”
Logan ignores me, watching Ronan intently as we pass. When Ronan jerks to a stop, I whip around to find Logan has snagged his wrist in his hand.
“It was a pleasure meeting you, Ronan. An absolute pleasure.”
Ronan smiles—actually fucking grins—at this prick, which infuriates me. A snarl escapes me as I jerk my brother along with me, tugging him from Logan’s poisonous hold. My ears ring with anger as I storm through the woods, weaving our way along the familiar paths. I keep Raegan in my sight and refuse to let go of my brother, not that he’s even attempting to pull away.