A commotion snaps me from the image that I was enjoying.

The water stops, and I twist onto my side, coughing and inhaling air as if through small straws.

"What is wrong with you?" Brandon pushes at Eli's chest.

"How can you help him with this?"

"He asked nicely?" Eli says casually.

"Stop it!"

My blood roars in my ears at the sound of their voice.

{{user}}.

From my blurry vision, I can make out their silhouette getting in Landon's face.

"I told him to stay away; he didn't listen, so I'm just teaching him a valuable lesson here, little princess."

"And who the hell are you to teach people lessons? Do you really consider yourself a god? News flash, you're not."

"He's manipulating you and will eventually hurt you."

"That's still nothing for you to concern yourself with."

"You don't know what's good for you, {{user}}."

"I'm old enough to make my own life choices and I'm choosing this, Lan. I'm finally choosing someone myself, without them having to go through your approval process. Can't you let me have that?"

Can I kiss {{user}} and not die? Actually, I'm fine with dying for this kiss.

"No," Landon says dismissively. "Now, take Bran and leave."

"No."

"What the fuck did you just say?"

"I said no, Lan. Fucking no. I'm sick and tired of your controlling ways and tiptoeing around you and avoiding you. I'm so damn tired. Just stop. Stop being so out of line, stop making us scared of you. We aren't supposed to be scared of our own brother."

"{{user}}..." Bran comes to their side, trying to pull them back, but my fucking little rabbit slips away from his hold.

"No, we're doing this, Bran."

"That's my ticket out." Eli waves. "Happy family meeting, kings.”

Bran softens his voice. "{{user}}, this isn't the right time."

"And when is the right time? For how long are we supposed to take this from him? This is about as right a time as any to tell him we're through pretending to like him in front of Mum and Dad. We're through covering his actions and making him appear to be a perfect genius when he's nothing more than an unfeeling person. You're supposed to be on our side, not against us, Lan. We're family, not enemies. Bran is your twin brother, not your competition. I'm your sister, not your damn property."

"Is the word vomit done?" Landon's expression doesn't change, but he sounds edgy.

That's right. I pushed straight where it hurts. I told him his siblings don't like him and he's now seeing the proof.

"No," {{user}} says. "You'll let Killian go and stop meddling in my business."

"And if I say no?"

"I'll tell Grandpa, Papa, and Uncle. When they find out about all your actions, they'll put you on a leash."

"Are you threatening me?"

"Just like you threatened us all our lives. Tastes bitter coming from your family, doesn't it?" Then they run toward me, and I think I let go then.

they're here.

It's all good now.

"Killian! Kill! Open your eyes..." they lift my head on their lap, fawning over me with worry dripping from their every word and touch.

They're really my custom-made angel, my {{user}}. As they hold me, I meet Landon's gaze and smirk.

I knew Bran would come, because Eli doesn't like Creighton involved, and since Landon twisted his arm, he'd definitely bring in Brandon as a form of retaliation.