"Tell the truth," Kaiden prompted me from the other side of the metal table.

I was so angry with my brother. I kept my arms crossed over my chest and refused to utter even one word while I glared at him resentfully. This man across from me, I didn't recognize. He had changed so much there was little that reminded of the boy I had grown up with.

He leaned forward. "You and I both know there was something more to Bruno's death. This is your chance to honor your friend and tell us what happened."

I couldn't believe he was seriously trying to use my loyalty for a friend against the same loyalty I felt for the Knox family, for Angel.

"Just give me something Kira. Something I can use to protect you." He pleaded. "I can't save you if you don't give something up."

Save me. Why did every man in my life believe they needed to save me? And why did they always believe they knew best when they didn't?

But I refused to allow him to try and manipulate me into doing what he thought was best. I had already made my choice and he wasn't respecting it. If he believed for a second I was going to reveal secrets, he had another thing coming.

When he had decided to go into law enforcement I hadn't been happy about it, but I had supported him in his choice and here he was trying to get me to change mine.

When I shifted slightly in the chair, my brother's eyes held mine and for just a fleeting second they held hope that I was going to reveal what he wanted.

I cleared my throat. "I want a lawyer."

I had rights and he couldn't just trample them at will.

My brother's face fell and his hands fisted. "Don't do this Kira. I can feel you slipping through my fingers." He sighed. "I wasn't old enough to see what was happening to mother but I'm not going to stand by and do nothing while you follow the same path she went down."

I refused to answer him. I wasn't going to argue with him or allow him to try to think he could do this type of thing. He had crossed a line and I wasn't going to be nice about it.

He pushed back from the table and rose. The chair fell back and I flinched. Our glare held for a few seconds before he strode from the room slamming the door behind him.

I let out a breath, trying to calm my nerves. I had never been brought in for questioning but knew that I had rights my brother couldn't steamroll me over.

If they allowed me a phone call, I didn't know who I would call. Despite my brother's rash actions I didn't want to get him into trouble with Angel but there was no way to cover this up, was there?

It didn't take my brother long to return. His anger echoed in the stiffness of his stance and shoulders.

I wondered what he would say if he knew what I had tried to do the day before.

"Let's go," he said and turned to leave the room.

I stood and followed him out. "Where are we going?"

He refused to answer me but I continued to trail him, hoping he had come to his senses and was going to let me go.

When we got into the car I felt apprehensive about his motives. Then when I refinished the route back to the cemetery my curiosity peaked.

Why was he taking me back there? I studied my brother's stiff features. He was angry that I hadn't given him any information, even knowing how loyal I was to Angel and the family. Was this the point where he would finally understand I would never betray the secrets I held close.

He stopped nearby our mother's grave. I exited the car as he came around to lead me to where our mother had been laid to rest.

When we reached the gravestone that had our mother's name engraved on it we halted.

"Take a long hard look Kira. This is going to be your future if you don't break free from this life and Angel."

I gave him a side glance, taking in his defeated tone and the way he stared intently at our mother's grave.

I swallowed. "You need to trust me Kaiden. I know what I'm doing."

He sighed before his eyes found mine. "You're blind Kira. From where I'm standing it's already happening. And by the time you see it, it will be too late."

His words settled in my chest, making me feel heavy with emotion.

"I'm not giving up. I will find the proof to prove Angel's intentions are not honorable."

With that parting shot he turned and left me standing alone while I grappled with what he had said. I looked back over my shoulder to see him get into the car. His eyes held mine for a few moments before he started the car and left me.

It felt like he was leaving me more in an emotional way than in the physical distance he was putting between us.

Only minutes later a car arrived in the same spot my brother had only been moments ago. I immediately recognized the man as one of Angel's guys. He hurried to me.

"Miss ward, are you okay?" he asked, looking concerned.

"I'm fine," I mumbled, even though I wasn't sure I was emotionally okay. "How did you know I was here?"

"Mr. Knox sent me."

He ushered me into the car as he called Angel to let him know that he had me. I wasn't sure he knew I was going to be there. I stared out the window feeling a sense of trepidation of how I was going to explain what happened to Angel.

There was a flurry of activity as the car pulled up in front of the house. Angel was already opening the door when it stopped.

I didn't want to lie to Angel but I couldn't get my brother into trouble, even if I didn't agree with what he had done. It had been high handed and out of line. I feared for the repercussion he would face from Angel.

Angel steered me to his study in silence and closed the door behind him.

I lowered myself into the closest chair. My mind racing ahead to figure out a way to keep what my brother had tried to do from Angel. While I understood my brother's intention was good despite his execution, Angel would not be so forgiving.

"He crossed a line today," Angel said, staying where he was by the door as he studied me.

He knew it was my brother who had taken me.

I remained silent, unsure how to navigate my way through this mine field.

"What did he want Kira?" His cold eyes sent a shiver through me.

What did I say? I couldn't tell him the truth for fear of what he would do to my brother?

I shrugged dismissively like it wasn't a big deal. "He was trying to talk me out of marrying you."

He continued to study me and I couldn't tell if he believe me or not.

"And?" The question was soft spoken.

"He didn't change my mind," I admitted. The statement was true, no matter how hard he had tried he hadn't been able to say me from my decision to stay with Angel. "I have agreed to marry you and I won't allow my meddling brother to change my mind."

"Good." He walked over to me and picked up my hand with the engagement ring on my finger. He studied it. "I've decided to bring the wedding forward."

My skin burned beneath his touch. "Why?" My eyes lifted to his.

"Waiting is only putting you in more danger."

He had a point but I couldn't help thinking if that was the only reason for his decision to move the wedding up. But if the threat against my life had increased, would that be something he would share with me? Knowing Angel he wouldn't. He wouldn't want to worry me.

"Does this have something to do with the Vincents?" I asked, unable to keep the fear from fluttering to the surface. It was hard not to think back to what I read about them.

He pressed his lips together as he studied me. "I don't want to reveal any details, you are just going to have to trust me."

After the whole Bruno thing I wasn't sure I could blindly trust him, but I knew I didn't want to know of any new details he might have uncovered in the threat against me. The less I knew the better when it came to the Vincents.

I swallowed slowly as our eyes held.

"I won't let anything happen to you Kira," he said softly when he saw my expression. His hand reached for my cheek and caressed it slowly.

I knew he would do everything he could to keep me safe, but the irrational fear kept me wondering if it was possible for him to keep me safe. I wanted to believe him with every fibre of my being that I was safe and any fear I harbored I could let go of but I couldn't.