Jonathan's POV
Blood runs thicker than water.
I could taste that bitter truth as blood pooled in my mouth from the latest strike. The old saying about family loyalty echoed hollow in my ears while my father's whip continued its relentless assault against my flesh.
The agony had become routine. Years of conditioning had stripped away the emotional sting, leaving only physical wounds that would fade soon. I had steeled myself for this punishment the moment I heard my brother's teeth crack under my knuckles yesterday.
The spray of blood Dennis spat across my face as he collapsed only confirmed what I already knew was coming.
This beating was inevitable, something I couldn't dodge or pray away. For anyone else, I might have chosen differently.
But for Savannah? I would endure my father's lash until my raw flesh swallowed the leather whole. I would be flayed alive before allowing Dennis to lay one filthy finger on my wife.
