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He seems forbidding as hell, but I’m desperate to run over and give him a massive hug. Instead, I keep my body still and my voice professional.

Connor bows his head. “This is Kate Elner, sir.”

“Ms Elner. Thank you for joining my son’s legal team at such short notice.”

I’ve not agreed yet.I long to snap out the words, but I honour my promise to Connor and smile sweetly. “My pleasure. I always like to ensure justice prevails.”

I’ll try once more to make my position clear to Dad after the bodyguard’s left us alone.

“Quite. While you’re working for us, we expect the highest standards. Your absolute loyalty to the family. Your absolute discretion.”

I bow my head in imitation of Connor. “Yes, sir.”

“And you, Colson, I’m trusting you to protect her. She’s my son and heir’s only hope. You’ll guard her like you would a member of the family. If the Thornbers or anyone else try anything, youwillstop them. And if you don’t, you’ll pay the price.”

I surreptitiously glance at Connor’s arm. A lien mark rings his bicep. It’s not clear whether it relates to a promise to guard me or to a general vow of loyalty to my father and the Sadlers. Either way, like all liens, if he breaks it, then one way or the other, he’ll die.

Connor glances at the floor for a moment then rallies and looks my father in the eye. “You can count on me, sir. But what about her? Will she be… marked?”

Dad shrugs. “Ms Elner comes highly recommended. She’s a consummate professional, not a hired thug. If push comes to shove then yes, I’ll mark her. But there’s no need for that now.”

I shudder. Hopefully this is purely for Connor’s benefit, an exercise in keeping up the charade. Dad would surely never actually brand a lien mark into my skin. My existing one is more than enough.

“Now leave us, Colson. Guard the door. Don’t let anyone in. I want to talk to our lawyer alone. This is family business.”

Connor bows properly this time, gives my arm a little squeeze, then heads out.

Dad waits until he’s closed the door, then bursts out laughing. “Come here, sweetheart.”

I laugh in turn, then dash over for that hug. “Great performance.”

He hugs me back, and I feel like I’m ten again. “We’ll be utterly convincing. No one will know who you are. Especially not that Thornber bastard.”

I nod. Too many emotions to speak.

“Dad, you know I’ve not decided if I’m taking the case, right? I only sounded so certain just then because my poor bodyguard seemed convinced you’d kill us both otherwise.”

“That’s my stubborn baby girl. No pressure. But I’m sure you’ll take the case once you’ve heard the full story. Once you’ve seen Brendan.”

“Maybe. I want to help him if I can.”

Dad takes my right hand. “Have you still got that damned mark?”

“You know better than anyone that those things don’t just disappear.”

Lien marks can’t be removed or hidden by magic. Or indeed, by laser skin treatment. Believe me, I’ve tried.

He pulls off the ring that covers it. Other than a quick glance the other night to check it’d stopped glowing, it’s been months since I’ve looked at the intricate interlocking spirals that encircle my finger. The ring stays on when I shower, when I work out, and when I sleep. I flinch at the sight, but that’s nothing to my father’s reaction. His eyes switch from a neutral blue to a glowing red in seconds. The mirror on the back wall shatters.

“We’ll break him. We’ll get that removed. We called in a favour with the London Coven and then dragged you up here because we had no choice. But perhaps it’s a blessing in disguise.”

I shrug. I’ve long given up on escaping the lien forever. Making it through the trial and out the other side is the best I can hope for.

“Let’s go and see the others. And we’ll try to avoid talking about the trial tonight.”

He takes my arm and leads me to the door at the back of the room. There’s a larger room beyond, and when he throws the door open, the rest of the family are perched on and around a long, low sofa, like they’ve posed for a tableau.

I dash inside, a wild grin on my face, then freeze to soak in the scene.