Chapter 2

CLARA POV

The first thing I did was reclaim my space. My father had built this sprawling ranch house with a wing just for me, a sanctuary I had foolishly abandoned to try and insert myself into their lives. No more.

I walked past the living room where Wade and Owen were laughing with Savannah over some stupid television show. Their laughter grated on my nerves, a sound that now felt like a personal insult. I didn't spare them a glance.

In my room, I locked the door and pulled out my phone, my fingers flying across the screen. There was only one person outside this nest of snakes I could trust.

My thumb hovered over Preston Hayes's name. His family, oil tycoons from Houston, were old friends of my father. Preston had been my childhood playmate, the boy who'd always looked at me with open adoration, the one I'd always dismissed as too easy, too simple. His loyalty was never a question, and in this moment, that felt like the most valuable currency in the world.

I pushed down the tremor in my hand, a phantom ache from the love I was forcibly killing. This wasn't the time for grief. This was the time for war. I needed allies.

The next morning, I went straight to my father's study. Harrison Beaumont was a man carved from Texas granite, with eyes that saw everything. **I decided against telling him about the kiss-the words felt like swallowing glass. Instead, I gave him something tangible, something he could act on.**

"Sterling used the ranch's funds to buy Savannah a custom saddle," I said, my voice steady. It was a small lie, but a plausible one. "He's been funneling money to her for months. I want you to cut off their access. All of them. From all ranch accounts."

My father didn't even blink. He looked at me, his gaze searching, and saw the new steel in my spine. "Done," he said. "I'll have the accounts frozen and new cards issued only for you and me by noon."

A weight lifted from my shoulders. The first parasite had been severed.

Walking back towards the stables, I felt a hand on my arm. It was Wade, his grin wide and familiar. "There's my girl. We're going for a ride, thought you'd want to join."

His touch, which once felt comforting, now felt like a spider crawling on my skin. A visceral disgust rolled through my stomach.

I flinched back as if he'd burned me. "Don't touch me," I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended.

He looked genuinely hurt. "Clara? What's wrong?"

"Oh, leave her be, Wade," Savannah's voice sang out as she approached, a basket of fresh apples in her arms. "You know how sensitive she can be." She positioned herself between us, a gentle protector. "He didn't mean anything by it, Clara."

She was playing her part perfectly. The peacemaker. The one who understood everyone.

The other brothers, drawn by the tension, were watching. They saw my harsh reaction and Wade's confused hurt. They saw Savannah's gentle intervention. The narrative was already written in their eyes: Clara, the spoiled princess, throwing a tantrum.

I was done playing their game.

"You're right, Savannah," I said, my voice suddenly sweet. I forced a smile that didn't reach my eyes. "I'm sorry, Wade. I'm just a little on edge today."

He relaxed, the tension leaving his shoulders. "It's okay, Clara-belle."

"In fact," I continued, turning my back on them all, "I think I'll skip the ride. I have a guest coming." I pulled out my phone and dialed.

Preston answered on the first ring.

"Hey, Preston," I said, making sure my voice was loud enough for them all to hear. "Are you busy? I was suddenly in the mood for a drive into town. My treat."

The silence behind me was heavy and thick with unspoken questions. I could feel their eyes on my back. For the first time, I wasn't the one trying to get their attention. They were focused on me, and it was because I was actively giving my attention to someone else.

It was a small victory, but it tasted sweet.