Blood Blade Sisters Series Read Online Free PDF Page B

about our being under age. Besides, any man who would be kind and treat me fairly deserves more than I can give him. When my husband comes home, we’ll have all the manpower we need around here. We don’t need or want anyone else.”
    Cilla sighed again. “If you are who you say you are, you’re family. That child my sister is carrying is your niece or nephew. And the situation we are in at the moment is in large part due to your brother up and disappearing. We aren’t asking for much. A few extra days to help us out of this mess, and then you can be on your way and leave us in peace.”
    “Priscilla!” Lucy was running toward them as the sound of hoofbeats filled the yard outside the barn. Brynne grabbed the rifle from Lucy and shoved her into the stall behind them.
    “Damn,” Cilla muttered as she yanked a knife from its sheath at her waist. “Why’s he back here so soon?” She went to Leo, flicking the knife through the ropes at his wrists as quickly as she could. “You’re about to see why we need you, Mr. Forrester.” She spun back to the doors just as they crashed open.
    Leo had made no movement. Cilla prayed that he would go along with their plan.
    If he didn’t…
    “Well, what have we here?” Frank strolled through the barn toward them, Jed and Jackson flanking his sides as usual. “My sweet little sisters, alone at night in the barn with a strange man. Tsk tsk. Now that just won’t do. Good thing I returned.”
    Cilla tried to calm the pounding of her heart. “You get outta here, Frank. You’re not welcome.”
    Frank looked at his friends in exaggerated surprise before turning back to her. “Not welcome in my own home? Now that just ain’t right.” He stepped closer to her, his badge gleaming in the lamplight. She wanted to turn and run, but Lucy’s wide, frightened eyes stiffened her resolve.
    “I said leave, now .”
    “You need to learn some respect, you good-for-nothin’ bitch.” Frank raised his hand and Cilla tensed, waiting for the right moment to drive her blade into his arm. Instead, she found herself thrust behind Leo, who was holding the sheriff’s arm in a grip so tight, Frank cried out.
    “I think you’d better mind your manners before someone gets hurt,” Leo said. Frank pulled at his arm and Leo released him.
    Frank backed up, cradling his arm. “Who the hell are you?”
    Leo pulled Brynne to his side. Cilla looked up at him in surprise. He wrapped his arm around Brynne’s waist and smiled at Frank.
    “The name’s Leo Forrester.”
    “You’d best be taking your hands off my sister, Forrester. I’m the sheriff around these parts and you’re on my property—”
    “I’m afraid you are mistaken on that count. And I believe my sister-in-law told you to get out. I suggest you abide by her wishes. I can’t have you upsetting my wife.”
    Cilla bit her lip to keep her jaw from dropping open in surprise. Brynne looked tense and uncomfortable by Leo’s side, but she didn’t say anything to refute Leo’s claim.
    Frank sputtered in outrage. “Wife? She’s not your wife! That’s impossible!”
    “Oh, but it is possible. And I don’t appreciate you barging in here and threatening my wife and her sisters. Sheriff or no, you don’t have any right to be harassing these women.”
    “Harassing them? They are my sisters. I have every right to be here, on my family land. Every single one of them is underage, and as their closest male relative that makes it my responsibility—”
    “Wrong.” Leo released Brynne and drew closer to Frank with every word. “We’re married. That means this woman, this land, and this house are mine . And I protect what is mine.”
    Frank looked at his friends for support, but they were already backing away.
    Frank turned back to Cilla, his expression making her blood run cold. “I’ll leave,” he snarled, “for now. But I’ll be back tomorrow. There weren’t no wedding. You ain’t got no proof. And when I show you for a