Page 11 of Lawless Sinners

A man leading a chestnut horse stops when I park. Two others pause mid-task, feed sacks half-lifted, their attention tracking the blacked-out windows.

I kill the engine but stay behind the wheel, assessing the yard before I step into it.

The main house sits farther back. Cottages dot the land behind it, and a long barn runs along my left with its doors wide open.

There’s no sign of my sister or the little wild thing.

My thumb drags once along the steering wheel before I reach for the door.

I step into enemy territory, the wintry chill pushing through my suit as Tallon men begin moving closer.

Rafe appears from the barn, lights a cigarette, and fixes his gaze on my suit. The other Tallon, Dane, walks out of a stone building, props his shoulder against the door, and folds his arms.

He’s checking for my security team, and rightly so. My men are close by, even though the Tallons know their backs are to the wall now.

The gun beneath my jacket rests against my ribs. Saint can decide how difficult this becomes.

Leaving his sister alive wasn’t kindness. It proved I could reach a Tallon whenever I chose.

I close the car door and adjust my cuffs. “I’m here for my sister.”

Movement inside the barn catches my attention. A figure passes between the stalls and disappears.

“I don’t have all day,” I say. “It’s time for her to go home, where she belongs.”

“You’ve got fucking nerve coming here, Harrington.” Rafe takes a drag of his cigarette. “How about ya get back in the car and fuck off?”

“What part of collecting my sister didn’t compute, Tallon?”

“Oh, really? You wanna talk about sisters, do ya?”

“Sure.” I shrug. “How’s Sera?”

Rafe chuckles. “She’ll be better when she puts a hole in your face.”

Saint appears on the gravel path beyond the barn, his broad shoulders stiff. My sister follows close behind him, sliding her arms into a jacket as she walks.

Her hair is loose and messy; a pink flush sits high in her cheeks. There aren't any visible bruises or signs of fear. In fact, she’s never looked better.

Then Saint places his hand on her back, and the hairs on my nape rise.

Keira stays beside him. Worse, she glances up at him, and the softness in her eyes tells me everything I need to know.

She’s fallen for his bullshit.

A few more Tallon men appear, spreading out around the yard. Whatever happens next, my sister will sleep in her own bed tonight. My father has already made sure of that.

I slide a hand into my trouser pocket and wait.

Seconds later, Sera storms across the yard with a shotgun raised. The corner of my mouth threatens to lift, but I contain it and cock a brow instead.

No one points a gun at me. I should reach for mine. Instead, I wait to see how close she comes.

Bruises darken one cheekbone, spreading beneath her pale skin. Her lower lip is split, the cut still fresh.

Both men responsible are dead, but my gaze still lingers on the damage they left behind.

None of her brothers have tried to kill me yet, which probably means she hasn’t told them what happened in that barn.