Riven could’ve asked me to marry him in a parking lot with a twist tie and a scraped knuckle, and I would’ve said yes. His knuckles were always bloodstained for one reason or another, and I loved that about him.

I would’ve said yes.

He didn’t.

He left.

My nails dig into my palm. He’s my brother, at least in the eyes of everyone else in this town. He couldn’t have asked me, even if he wanted to, so I don’t know why I let my silly little heart go back to that concept. It never would have been allowed, even if we both wanted to be together.

From the corner of my eye, I notice rowdy movement that doesn’t pair well with the ambiance of this pretentious place.

A table tucked just out of the glow of our fake celebration holds a group of Castlebrook’s worst-behaved…the bull riders from Grey’s Ranch. They don’t belong here. Especially not Caiden Grey, slouched in his chair, long legs sprawled, sipping from a dark bottle instead of a glass.

My heartbeat stutters because something is happening. I can see the looks on everyone’s faces at my table.

Why are they here?

They never come to this part of town, not unless they’re making a statement.

I lift my eyes and meet Caiden’s, and he doesn’t look away. A shiver races down my spine because I can tell Caiden knows something.

I remember what Riven told me once about Caiden Grey: he lives by a code. Never touches what isn’t his. Never lays hands on a girl who belongs to someone else. That was the first time Riven had called me his. He’s made the comment, “Don’t be afraid of him. He knows you belong to me.” I’ll never forget the feeling that soared through me in that moment. I belonged to Riven Kozlov, even if he didn’t mean it in the way I wanted him to, I was still his.

My chest pulls tight. I don’t want to get my hopes up because Caiden’s presence here tonight could be a coincidence.

But it isn’t.

I know it in my bones.

Matthew starts talking again. Loud. Obnoxious. Something about our honeymoon plans. The word Maldives floats across the table like a curse.

Something inside me snaps.

I once thought Riven would burn the world for me, so maybe it’s time I start the fire.

I can’t run. They’d find me. Drag me back. But I can end this. I can kill Matthew. I know I’ve got it in me.

I know herbs. I know poisons. I know where the hemlock grows at the edge of the woods behind the old mill.

It wouldn’t take much. Just a pinch. Just enough for someone his size.