The silence after my hand cracked across Chloe's face was deafening.It was like everyone held their breaths, expecting the next shoe to drop.

And I knew my sister. Silence never lasted long with her.

Her squeal tore through the air as she lunged, her palm smacking across my cheek with all her strength. The sting was sharp, but it barely registered. I'd been expecting it.

Chloe always fights back. But this time, I needed her to. I needed her to light the fuse. And that was exactly what she just did.

"How dare you!" I screamed, my rage boiling over. My hand struck her cheek again, harder this time. Then again. Each strike echoed across the hall, loud and merciless.

Gasps rippled through the ballroom, but I didn't care.

I was done. Done with Chloe's smug little smirks, her glass-doll voice.her endless manipulation. Done with her being Daddy's golden child while I was expected to bow, scrape, and be grateful for scraps. Done with her accusing me of causing her great pain when I have never done anything of the sort.

And I fought back.

This wasn't just a fight. This was years of pent-up fury spilling out,all exploding right here on her picture-perfect wedding day.

Before she could catch her breath, I dug my fingers into her hair and twisted, gripping tight until her shrieks turned into raw, panicked screams of pain.

"Savannah, let go!" Chloe clawed at my wrists,her manicured nails scratching my skin. "Let go,you bitch!"

Her words only fueled me. I yanked harder, dragging her head back until she whimpered. For a split second, my eyes locked on Roman's in the room.

The fire blazing in his gaze made my blood roar.

That look said everything: That's my girl.

"You wanted a grand wedding, didn't you?" I spat, dragging her through the crowd like she was nothing but a ragdoll. Guests scattered,their expensive shoes squeaking on marble, their dresses swishing as they hurried to get out of my path. No one dared stop me. Not tonight.

"Here it is, Chloe," I screamed. "All eyes on you."

Her heels skidded as I yanked her toward the floor where the ruined wedding cake lay in a frosted, messed up heap.

An idea snapped inside me.Perfect.

"You wanted a magnificent cake?" Mly voice came out wild and vicious."Then have it!"

With a snarl, I shoved her face into the smashed layers, grinding her into the mess of cream and sponge. Her muffled shrieks vibrated against my palm as I pressed harder, smearing frosting through her hair,across her cheeks, into her mouth. Everywhere.

"There!" I spat. "Choke on it! Taste your happiness!"

The ballroom erupted. Gasps. Screams. And then, laughter. High and

unhinged.

Dean.

"Yes!" Dean cackled, clapping like a lunatic. "Show her who's boss,Sav!

、

The insanity of it all only fed me. For once, I wasn't the one shrinking,bowing, or pretending. Chloe was the one humiliated, broken under my hands.

When I finally ripped her up by the hair and flung her aside, she collapsed, coughing, clawing frosting from her eyes and nose. Her wedding dress was ruined, her face red and sticky, and she looked nothing like the pristine bride she'd pretended to be a few minutes ago.

I stood over her, chest heaving, palms still throbbing, my pulse pounding wild.

"I hope you enjoyed your cake, Chlo," I hissed. "Bon appétit."

"Oh my fucking God," Lizzie whispered somewhere, her voice cracking.

And that was when I felt the air shift. I turned just in time to see him-my father. Julius. The man who'd always stood between me and everything I ever wanted. The man who made Chloe his angel and me his afterthought.

His hand came down before I could brace.

The slap rang out across the ballroom, white-hot pain exploding across my cheek. My head snapped sideways, and a sharp ringing filled my ear.

When I lifted my gaze, his eyes burned with fury and hate. His lips twisted as if even his words were beneath me.

",You've disgraced this family for-"

A hand landed on his shoulder, halting his speech.

Roman's.

"Julius?" Roman said, voice flat, and sounding dangerous.

My father turned, and Roman's fist met his jaw. Square and hard.

The crack of bone was sickening. Dad staggered, his knees buckled,and he collapsed beside Chloe, groaning in shock and pain.

A gasp tore from my throat. Loud and unplanned.

"You hit me, son?" Julius rasped, clutching his face.His voice cracked with disbelief. "Because of her?"

Roman's steps were slow, deliberate. A predator closing in. I could sense that he'd always wanted to do this right from the first time dad humiliated me in front of him.

"Can't you all read the handwriting on the fucking wall?" he growled."Touch her and you touch me. It's that simple." He shrugged.

My father's eyes darted between me and Roman,wide and horrified,as he dragged himself backward like a wounded animal. I'm sure he was definitely shocked that someone was defending me.

"Do you know what you've just done?" His voice shook with outrage."Do you know how many laws of right and wrong you've just broken? And because of what? Because of Savannah?" He struggled to speak.

Roman tilted his head, a dark smile curling his lips. "I admit, I don't.You're the law guy. I expect you to know. But I do know I've wanted to do that since the first time you opened your mouth. And let me tell you..."He flexed his knuckles, eyes glinting as he glanced at my father groveling on the floor. "It felt so fucking good that I'm tempted to do it again."

He started toward him. Dad scurried backwards. I just stood there watching because I don't care what he does to my father. I'm not a saint.I want him to feel pain too. Just like he makes me feel. All the time.

Gasps spread through the crowd. Some bridesmaids clutched their pearls. The others swooned over how romantic the scene was. But the groomsmen hesitated. They didn't know whether to interfere or get the hell out of the way.

But Henry... Stupid, clueless Henry made the mistake of stepping forward.Alone.

And he grabbed Roman's arm.

"Stop, man," he muttered, as if reason had any place in this storm that had come.

The moment his hand closed around Roman, the air snapped still.

"Henry no!" I shouted without thinking. I knew Roman wasn't one to bluff. And what he promised Henry earlier? He's about to make good on that.

Roman froze. As if he couldn't believe that Henry was touching him.

His head turned slowly, eyes dropping to the hand on his arm. His brow furrowed, rage simmering dlark and dangerous.

Henry's Adam's apple bobbed as he realized too late what he'd done.

Henry blinked. Clearly stunned and frozen in place. Roman's eyes narrowed on him, deadly calm, like a wolf ready to tear flesh.

Roman's voice was ice. "You've got one second to take your hand off me."

The groomsmen shifted uneasily. No one dared to move.Henry's fingers twitched, but fear kept him locked where he stood.

"Roman, don't-" I started, my voice cracking,the words lost in the panic clawing at my throat.

"Three." Roman's tone was low, almost lethal. Like you know something was coming right after it.

In one swift, horrifying move, Roman wrenched Henry's arm up and twisted. The snap echoed through the ballroom like a gunshot. Everybody heard his bone break.

Henry's scream ripped through the air, high and broken. His knees failed to hold him up as he collapsed to the ground, clutching his arm,his face turning ghostly white.

The crowd shrieked. Bridesmaids stumbled back,some covering their mouths, others turning away as Henry writhed on the floor in pain.

Roman stood over him unflinching. His chest rising and falling like a beast still hungry for blood.

"That's your second warning," he growled, his voice carrying over the chaos. "Touch me again and I'l take the other one."