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Would he force me?
Would Thane Calvert take something I’m not willing to give?
Tarian stares at me for a long while before he nods slowly and replies, “She’s not mine to give or mine to refute.”
I refuse to let Tarian see any emotion in my expression, even though his words are like a blade to my heart. I don’t understand why they’re bothering me so much. I knew from the start what I was getting into with him. I willingly walked into this situation, and I have no one to blame but myself.
“In which case, I’d like to take the whore out for a meal tonight,” Thane announces. Then turning to me he says, “Apologies for my bluntness. I’d like to invite this beautiful young woman to join me for dinner this evening.” His dark gaze locks on mine. He leans in closer, and his spicy cologne assaults me again. “Would you like that, Grecia Birchwood?”
I’m limited to how far away from him I can get, but I shuffle to the opposite end of the bench seat, and curling myself up against the door, I spit out, “I refuse your invitation. I don’t eat with monsters.”
CHAPTER 10
TARIAN
I don’t know why I’m jealous.
No, that’s a lie. I know exactly why I’m jealous.
My feelings for Grecia are growing. She’s constantly in my thoughts, and that’s not a good thing. I’ve spent months keeping her at arm’s length, so I can’t falter now.
She may not be mine, but it doesn’t mean I want anyone else to have her, and especially not Thane. If he comes near her again, he’s a fucking dead man.
I can’t claim her, because I’m not good enough for her. And these feelings I have for her aren’t real, and they’re nothing to worry about. At least, that’s what I’m trying to convince myself as I watch her recoil from him.
The drive through the streets of New Orleans reminds me of the vacations we used to spend here when I was young. Visiting my uncle was always exciting because we got to see the Mardi Gras parades. Also, Thane is closer in age to me than he was to my father, so he was always good fun to be with. But now as we travel to his home, I want nothing more to do with this city or my uncle.
Leaving the central part of New Orleans behind, the car weaves along the winding road toward the mansion I fell in love with as a boy. Finally, we come to a stop outside Thane’s opulent home that spans three floors, and he immediately flings the car door open and exits the vehicle.
Grecia’s gaze locks on mine for a moment, and I wonder if she can see the jealousy in my eyes. Can she see my rage? I might not have given her what she so clearly wants—me. But I’ll die before I allow my uncle to claim her.
“I’m not yours, Tarian. You have made that very clear,” Grecia addresses me while we’re still seated in the car. “So don’t get all protective and play the hero. That’s not what I need.”
She doesn’t wait for my response. Instead, she steps out of the car and follows Thane to the front entrance of his home, leaving me shaking with barely controlled fury, fueled by jealousy.
I’m at the front door moments after Grecia joins Thane. I watch him guide her into the house, and I can’t ignore the fact that his hand is resting on her lower back. However, I note she’s completely rigid with her spine straight and unmoving. She nods at something he says, and I watch as Thane chuckles in response. He’s turning on the charm, and I have to restrain my anger…for now.
Making my way inside, I focus my attention on the door that I know leads into my uncle’s office at the end of a darkened hallway. I was never allowed to enter that room when I was young, so it’s always intrigued me.
I don’t know how long I stand gazing at the mysterious door of my youth, but suddenly, my reverie is broken by my uncle's voice.
“Tarian.” Thane’s call comes from behind me, and when I turn around, I’m immediately aware that Grecia is no longer with him.
“Where is she?” My gaze darts to the dimly lit passage behind him, but it’s empty.
Tension coils in my muscles, and my hands fist at my sides, but Thane merely grins at me.
“You may deny your feelings for that girl, but I’m not blind. Or stupid.” His tone is controlled with a calmness that makes me hyperaware of how alone and vulnerable I am here. I’ve no weapons or backup.
“I don’t have feelings for her,” I tell him, adamant in my confession, but I can hear the lies that lace each word.
Thane must pick up on my attempt at deception because he tilts his head to the side and raises a questioning brow.
“Oh?” he responds. “And you got all torn up when I asked her out to dinner because…?”
He watches me with those dark eyes, waiting for me to admit I want her. But instead, sauntering forward, I lean into his face and regard him with a schooled expression.
“I’m nothing like you,” I tell him. “I don’t take something that’s not freely given.”
