Jacob felt his stomach twist as he met River’s icy glare. He swallowed hard, suddenly very aware of the bruises and cuts that River had been responsible for not too long ago. But he held his ground, leaning against Tiffany.

Tiffany’s hands tightened on his, and she shot her father a defiant look, her chin raised. “Daddy,” she said, voice steady, “you’re not stopping me from being with him.”

River’s expression hardened, but there was a flicker of something—perhaps regret or ...