Chapter 50. She Didn't Offer

"Tell him!" Sage encouraged me, but I still felt so nervous; what if he wanted to know everything? I was ashamed of what I had done to get the information, but in truth, the boys finding out that news didn't scare me half as much as them finding out about the debt my father was effectively offering as my dowry.

"Knox and Kane will sort it!" Sage tried to reason with me, and I knew she was right, but what she failed to see was THAT was what I was scared of! I didn't want anyone to die! Not just so I could be happy! What sort of person would I be if I put my happiness with them over a life? Sighing, I looked over at Knox, seeing his tight jaw and the tension in his eyes. I knew he was fighting to push me for the facts.

"But I refused his..request!"

"It was hardly a request; your ribs still hurt!" Sage whispered weakly; I knew she felt just as betrayed by our father. Ignoring her, with a sigh, I continued with my explanation.

"My father was a