“You people may like to pretend women are weak and have no voices, but I’m not and I say what I want. I can speak for myself.” I stare the man right in the eye, enjoying the way his tighten in surprise.

“I see.” He sits back, looking to the others a moment before moving back to me. “Ms. Brayshaw, I’m Calvin Greyson.”

I blink at him.

He fights a grin. He can’t be more than twenty-five, if that. “We’re simply here as witnesses. Your town is your town, your issues with the Graven family are your issues. That being said, a town divided cannot sit on the council with us. That is the purpose of the union that was promised before your time. In order for us to be a strong unit, we need to be just that, a unit. A town divided is weak. It was agreed upon that should Brayshaw openly accept the marriage to Graven, the Gravens would see it as a move of good faith, and the Brayshaws would take final lead.” He turns to Donley. “This is correct, Donley?”

“It is.” He moves his eyes to mine. Nothing but victory swimming in them. “She marries in, unites our families once and for all, we no longer push for power in lead as our strength will come in time.”

“Raven.”

My eyes slide back to the tattooed guy.

He confirms who he is in his introduction. “I’m Trick Rivera. You understand what they’re saying, right?” He eyes me. “You must accept the marriage.”

Donley scoffs beside me and Trick’s eyes darken as they slide his way, a fierce expression in place.

“I promise you, I only ever do what I want,” I tell him. “Something Collins is well aware of, so maybe it’s he who should accept me, the bitch of a bride he’ll be getting.”

Small chuckles float across the room.

“In a heartbeat, Rae.” Collins pushes his chest out, not bothering to look my way.

I bite into my cheek.

“Actually,” Donley draws out, his smirk as revolting as his presence. “I threw that little clause in a long time ago, and it earned me a runaway bride. I don’t wish to extend this to Raven, especially since Collins will already be marrying an impure bride when we were promised a virgin. Contract says she’s mine regardless, though...” He trails off, his eyes meeting mine, knowing. “I don’t imagine we’ll be forcing anyone’s hands today.”

Piece of shit.

The man who looks the eldest of them all, studies me curiously. “Ms. Brayshaw, I’m Romero Hacienda of Hacienda Heights. Welcome home.”

I nod, having no words for the stranger.

“Regardless of Donley’s show of power he does not have,” the man remarks. “If you would, please make the announcement you gathered us here for today, so we can be on our way.”

“Be sure to state your name first,” Trick offers with a small nod.

“I’m Raven Brayshaw,” I say with zero hesitation, a numb body, and shattering heart. “And I acknowledge the union between families.”

“You wish to marry Collins Graven?”

I look to Collins who stares at me with open, honest eyes. An apology shines in them, regret and hope all rolled into one.

He truly wants this?

“I’ll be good to you, I swear it,” he says directly, in front of everyone as if it’s just the two of us standing here.

Brave of the bastard.

I face forward. “Yes.”

Not a second after Donley’s single clap, the air shifts.

I don’t have to look to know who is coming, my boys’ footsteps vibrate the floor beneath us.

My eyes slice to Rolland’s, witnessing the strain that takes over in an instant.

“This will be tough, Raven,” he whispers quickly. “I’m so sorry.”

With a deep breath, I spin, my heart dropping to my feet at the sight of the boys.

I fight the urge to go to them, to swallow the anger radiating off every inch of Maddoc, to burn the unknown swimming in his eyes, in all their eyes.

“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.”