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The horrible tragedy years before was something everyone in the family had tried to forget, but the memories regarding that dayhad come rushing back. Her death had been a direct warning, a pushback against my father and his advancement into territories that didn’t belong to him.

Since our mother’s murder, he’d taken a more cautious approach, which up until now had quieted the tyrants waiting in the shadows. Why now? Why had my father been suddenly murdered?

I pulled away and gripped her shoulders. “You’re going to get a shower and go downstairs and have some breakfast. Take the day to rest, but after that, we need to think about the future. I’ll be here. That much I can promise.”

“What future?”

“Don’t think that way, Bella. You have your entire life ahead of you.”

“Don’t die on me, sissy. I don’t have anyone else.”

Her quick sob almost broke my heart once again. I couldn’t allow that to happen. I squeezed her arms and nodded toward the door. While her steps were slow, she followed my directions. She was estranged from her brother and barely knew her sister any longer.

A single tear slipped down my cheek and I wiped it away furiously. Not a single additional tear could be shed.

Not one.

I was required to be a tyrant, a true leader. Someone without a moral compass.

It was time to look the part. That much I could do with ease.

I headed toward my bedroom, thankful a bathroom was attached. While I showered, I made mental notes about what information I’d need provided. There were so many details, including planning the funeral, the event typically more of a celebration than anything else.

Funerals were usually the single event that was considered hallowed ground, acts of violence not allowed. Somehow, I doubted that unwritten rules would apply. There was too much at stake.

When I was dressed, I stood in front of my dresser mirror, studying my reflection. My cheeks appeared gaunt, my eyes full of hatred. I’d chosen a black pantsuit instead of wearing a skirt or more casual attire on purpose. Today was the day I’d make my first statement.

No one could question my authority without facing harsh consequences.

Another wave of sadness hit me like a ton of bricks. I wasn’t cut out for this. On the last night in New York, I’d partied with my friends, going out to a favorite club and dancing until well after one in the morning. We’d laughed. We’d become intoxicated. I’d promised they could come visit.

All that had been a pipe dream.

What was left was being forced to pick up the pieces.

Almost as soon as I walked from the room, I was confronted by Marco. Wearing dark jeans and a tight muscle tee shirt, he’d slicked back his hair, his combat boots and sheathed knife worn on his side completing the ridiculous outfit.

Only he looked just like almost every other soldier. He wanted to be like them more than anything, including grieving his own father’s death.

After giving me a hard look, he tried to walk by. I grabbed his arm.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“I’m training today and you can’t stop me.”

I walked closer. In my heels, we stood eye to eye. When I’d left for America, he’d been over a foot shorter and at least fifty pounds lighter. It was obvious he’d worked hard to become a carbon copy of our father, a worthy soldier.

“While I won’t stop you from training, I will prevent you from joining the army.”

“You can’t do that.”

“I’m your sister and your guardian. I can and I will.”

His sneer was something I’d remember. “You stopped being my sister the day you left us. And I’ll be eighteen soon and you won’t have a say in any aspect of my life.”

I was shocked at the level of hurt in his voice and the sadness in his eyes. But as soon as he let his guard down, the shield went back up. The thick armor terrified me almost as much as the damning situation. My brother had no true understanding of the life he so desperately wanted to live.

He didn’t allow me time to refute his statement or offer any comfort, storming away as he’d done the night before. His heavy footsteps on the stairs were just another stark reminder he would soon be an adult.