ral Miller, and my older brother, Tom, were gone, their caskets lowered into Texas soil just days ago. That left me, E

the younger brother who always lived in shadows. Ot

that didn't quite reach their eyes. They spoke of supporting me, of helping manage the ranch duri

my father, pulled me aside after the services.

ther was a grea

rds caught i

you," the Governor continued, his voice low. "He

old pacts, vagu

e paused, choosing his words. "To secure your position as head of the trust, to make it ironcl

a distant, alien concept.

nor added gently. "To show everyone yo

e she decided my family' s money wasn' t coming to me fast enough, or that my prospects weren't as shiny as she'd hoped. She' d moved on, or so I thought. But she' d been around a lot lately, her

slightly ajar. I heard voices, hushed but clear. Dylan

lan, completely cl

od ran

n snickered. "Poor bastard. Thinks yo

en ticket. Once he' s got full control, and I' ve got him wrapped around my little finger, this ranch wi

Robert?"

secured everything through Ethan, of course. Ethan' s too soft, to

blow. My grief felt like a heavy cloak, but now, a different feeling pierced through it, sharp and cold, ange