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I never wanted this “Not like this”

“Hey” Obviously sensing my distress, she put her hand toto be fine Just—” She seemed to hesitate a moment “—no matter what happens,” she whispered, “don’t call him”

I barely heard what she said through the blood rushing through my ears

“Anika,” I called when she stood and walked over to the ap between them

“I would like to talk terms” She sounded so confident, so unlike herself, that a solid froas pulled from me

And Roam’s eyes swept over her a irl Smart”

“I will spend so I won’t be leashed or petted or played ithout my permission You will not touch me unless I allow it”

Roa I had not to fly kick him in the face He returned a controlled, “Likewise”

Anika raised her chin and looked down her nose at him “And I won’t allow it So, whatever plan you have for ht now that you will be sorely disappointed”

But Roam wasn’t deterred “Oh no I’m already very happy with this transaction” He watched her closely before ordering, “Get dressed into so you out to eat”

“I’ry,” was her immediate response, to which Roam looked down at her overly lean body and uttered an unkind, “Yeah, well, you look it”

Asshole

Her cheeks flushed, and her lips parted in what I could only guess was e before her mouth snapped shut and she all but stoone, he waited a et her You get work Everybody’s happy”

He spoke about my sister like she was an object As if she was a car he’d bartered for and bought It grated on my every nerve I vowed, “You touch her and I’ll kill you”

But Roam, the cocky fuck, uttered a bored, “Yeah, I know you want to believe that, but the truth is, if I touch her, you won’t do shit Because if I do touch her—” His eyes narrowed dangerously “—she’ll have begged me for it”

Anger burned a hole in my chest, and I rushed hi-fast, wrapping his arled in his hold and thundered, “Keep your paws off my sister!”

His lips tipped up in the corners, but one could hardly call it a sled inhiaze dared me to rush him It took a willpower I didn’t know I had to force my feet to stay put

I don’t kno long we stood there, staring holes into each other, but I got the distinct feeling that whatever Roaoal And when Anika returned wearing asleeves and a hem that came to just above her knees, she took one look at the tense circle we had formed and made her way over to our mom Anika embraced her as Mother whispered words of apprehension, and I watchedher She then walked into our father’s hold and spoke only for his ears He nodded, and then she alking towarda sad smile