Samuel was just half a head shorter than James, and strictly speaking, he wasn't entirely defenseless. But James's sheer presence overwhelmed him, and his first instinct was fear.

There was fire in James's eyes, a cold frost on his face, but a slight smile tugged at his lips.

"You're calling me brother-in-law so affectionately, but did you ever think about whether I acknowledge you?"

Samuel tilted his head back, struggling to breathe. It finally dawned on him that he should ...