Josie
I swallowed hard, feeling the lump in my throat drag down like a stone sinking into dark water. The heaviness of it made my chest ache, and I could almost hear the sound of my own pulse thudding in my ears. My lips parted to respond, to defend myself, but Varen's sharp voice sliced through the air before I could even form the first word.
"What the hell were you thinking making Michelle stay back?"
It wasn't just the words—it was the bite in his tone, the way it carried that edge of authority that was meant to cut, to force obedience. The question landed like a slap across my face, so sudden it stole the breath from me for a second. My stomach twisted in a hard knot, and my thoughts scattered like startled birds.
It was in that instant that I knew—truly knew—nothing was going to save me from the wrath of these brothers. Their eyes were on me like predators closing in, unyielding and heavy, pinning me in place as though I were prey that had made a fatal mistake.
